More time in the woods · Up to 4 hours · 5 walks
The Castanyer del Drac loop
El Fitó i els castanyers
- Time
- 2 h to 3 h
- Distance
- 3.9 km
- Ascent
- 200 m approx.
Two to three hours, no car: a loop through old chestnut trees, three of them named. You leave through the gate above the pool and climb to the top of El Fitó. Then the path leaves the dirt track and heads into the chestnut wood as far as the Castanyer gros. You cross the riera del Teix, which forms a small waterfall when there is water in it, and climb to the Coll Sa-riera, the highest point, at about 980 m. From there you head down to the Castanyer del Drac, a twisted chestnut that looks a bit like a dragon’s head. Farther down, a rock beside the path serves as a viewpoint. You cross the riera again and face one last climb, about 55 meters up. Close to the campsite, you pass the Castanyer de les Illes, which people call the thousand-year-old chestnut. Most of the climbing comes in the first half, up to the col. The floor of the chestnut wood holds the damp, especially in fall, and with a grippy sole underfoot it walks beautifully. Three named chestnuts, a summit, and a col in just under four kilometers, and you finish right where you started.
We walked it on 9 October 2026.
Along the way
The numbers match the map.
Nova Forest
Head out through the gate above the pool, the one that leads up toward El Fitó.
El Fitó
A sign points to the top of El Fitó, which looks out over the valley. You go up and come back down the same path, about 80 m each way.
Castanyer gros
About 90 meters before it, the path leaves the dirt track and the old chestnuts begin. Among them is the Castanyer gros, the big chestnut.
Desviament de Matagalls
Junction: the path up to Matagalls starts here. Keep going toward the riera del Teix.
Riera del Teix
You cross the riera del Teix, which comes down between rocks here and, when there is water in it, forms a small waterfall.
Font del coll
A fountain beside the path, just before the col.
Coll Sa-riera
The highest point of the walk, at about 980 m, looking out over the Montseny mountains.
Castanyer del Drac
An old, twisted chestnut, also known as the Cap de Dinosaure. The path back starts right opposite.
Roca
A rock beside the path serves as a viewpoint.
Riera del Teix
You cross the riera del Teix again, lower down. Soon after comes the last climb, about 55 meters up, before you drop back down to the campsite.
Castanyer de les Illes
You pass the Castanyer de les Illes, which people call the thousand-year-old chestnut.
The practical bit
- Water
- A fountain beside the path at 1.5 km, just before the Coll Sa-riera.
- Dogs
- On a leash. There is livestock loose, wildlife that nests on the ground and small children on the path.
- Parking
- Not needed. You walk out from the campsite.
These are the routes that start at the campsite. You walk them at your own risk: check the forecast before you set off, carry water, and there is no shame in turning back.
Emergencies: 112