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About halfway between Valencia and Barcelona, just inland from the coast rises an incredible range of mountains with a few beautiful passes that cut through: "els ports" means "the passes."
The crowds that descend on the local beaches can see the peak of El Caro on this range, but you will be one of only a few who make it up here to look down from the peak back toward the crowds on coastline:
I arranged a trip to this park with a couple of friends from Barcelona. I took the train up from Valencia (options range from 1:30 to 2 hours with some very reasonable fares) and met my friends who drove down from Barcelona and picked me up in L'Aldea. From here it is about a one-hour drive into the park. Unfortunately, the car is your only option unless you are one of the few, the strong who can manage to climb the 1000 meters up this windy road on your bicycle:
Our accommodation was basic but adequate at "Pous de la Neu." Their dinner and breakfast were both outstanding.
We enjoyed two full days of walks (hiking) around the park with spectacular views, the sharp smell of fresh pine air, and even caves open for exploring. The solitude was surprising: we were hiking through this beautiful landscape, and we had it all to ourselves.
Note that in this part of the country, Catalan is the first language. Signs, directions, menus and labels, advice and brochures are all in Catalan. You can get by with Castellano, but you will need a little help to make sense of things you want to read.
If these pictures have inspired you to get out and go walking, let us know and we can arrange a trip like this one!
