The Catalan village with seven natural pools and stunning waterfalls, an hour and a half from Barcelona.

In addition to attractive cities, beaches, and the dreamy Pyrenees, Catalonia offers many other excellent inland tourism options. There are countless locations that combine nature, culture, gastronomy, and tranquility , a valuable asset considering the hectic pace of life for many.

Thus, beyond visits to Cerdanya, the Aran Valley or Boí, La Garrotxa, the coast or wine-growing areas, there are one or two-day getaways to regions that are, a priori, less touristy and that sometimes go unnoticed but are worth keeping in mind for when you need to get out of the city and enjoy wild landscapes .

In this sense, in recent years, and especially after the Covid pandemic, "gorg" tourism has gained momentum. Dozens of towns have their pools, but few municipalities can boast up to seven natural pools on their surface, like a town in Ripollès, an hour and a half from Barcelona, ​​ideal for a getaway.

This is Campdevànol , a small town in the Ripollès region of Girona, with just over 3,200 inhabitants, highly appreciated for its nature, tranquility, and hiking trails. The town is located five minutes by car north of Ripoll and almost an hour and a half from Barcelona. Its Scots pine and oak forests, with traces of Romanesque influences, are the setting for beautiful hikes for all ages.

The town of Campdevànol is well worth a visit, partly for its historic squares, fountains, and gardens on the banks of the Freser River, as well as for its Gothic parish church of Sant Cristòfol and the Romanesque church of Sant Llorenç de Campdevànol, on the outskirts of the town. The town enjoyed industrial success in the 17th century, thanks to its textile, ice, plaster, and cement industries, and its memory is still vivid.

Another attraction is the art gallery of Josep Coll Bardolet, a prominent Renaissance painter. However, Campdevànol's tourist attraction is the Route of the Set Gorgs, or Gorgs de la Cabana, a circular hike of approximately eight kilometers with low difficulty and a slight elevation gain (343 meters according to the City Council) that passes seven natural pools (some of which are allowed to swim, although the water is cold) with waterfalls.

The best known are Gorg de la Cabana, Gorg del Tint, Gorg de l'Olla, and Gorg de la Bauma. Water isn't the only feature of the route, as the vegetation and landscape are also idyllic. Those familiar with the area recommend doing the route in spring or summer and also note that for several years now, the area has been regulated and accessible by reservation and entry fee through the website torrentdelacabana.cat.

Another attraction of this area is its easy access by public transport. Campdevànol has a train stop and the Rodalies R3 line passes through. It can also be reached via the C-17. The route starts at the Font de Querol rest area.