Natural pools in Catalonia

Along with a stunning coastline, you have magnificent natural pools in Catalonia. To the famous ones Costa Brava y Costa Dorada, which include, respectively, good parts of the provinces of Gerona and Tarragona, are added mighty rivers and large lakes.

They form authentic ones. natural pools that allow you to enjoy a pleasant swim without having to go to the beach. You can also find them in all the provinces of the autonomous community and they are usually less crowded that the sandy beaches of the coast. If you want to take a refreshing dip while enjoying a wonderful landscape, choose from the natural pools in Catalonia that we suggest below.

Gorg Blau

gorg means picture in Catalan, so it will be a recurring name when talking about natural pools in Catalonia. This one is located near Sadernes, a town that belongs to the municipality of Llierca salts, in the Girona region of The Garrotxa. To get to this pool you have a hiking route which follows the river bank and passes near the Gomarell dam and the Romanesque hermitage of San Aniol de Aguja.

The journey takes just under two hours and, at the end, you will find an idyllic landscape of crystal-clear waters and waterfalls like the Núvia and Brull waterfalls. Also, if you like climbing, this area is one of its sanctuaries in Catalonia.

On the other hand, since you are visiting the region, take the opportunity to see its beautiful monuments. Along with the hermitage we mentioned, you have several in Sadernes. Among them, the Church of Santa Cecilia, which is Romanesque from the 12th century. The church belongs to the same style and period Temple of Santa Maria de EntreperesWhile that of San Martin de Sales It stands out for its simple neoclassical façade.

However, it is the Romanesque style, so abundant in this area of ​​Catalonia, which predominates in the surroundings of Gorg Blau. The churches of Sant Miquel de Monteia and Sant Andreu de Gitarriu and the Sespasa Castle, of which only a few remains remain.

Foradada de Cantonigròs, another of the most beautiful natural pools in Catalonia

We now travel to the Barcelona region of Osona to propose this other pool that is also among the best natural pools in Catalonia. It is made up of a fifteen-metre-high waterfall that starts from the stream of The GorgesFor added beauty, a hole in one of the rocks allows the sun to pass through, giving the water unique reflections.

You can also get there on foot. In this case, it is even easier, as there is a concrete track that will take you no more than half an hour. However, you will have to pay a small fee to use it. After taking a refreshing dip, you can also explore the surroundings.

In the population of Cantonigròs you have the Church of Sant Roc and, very close, the Sanctuary of Santa Maria de Cabrera, next to the remains of the castle of the same name, dating from the 10th century. Also nearby is the church of San Martín Sescorts, Romanesque style and also documented in the 10th century. On the other hand, on the Puigsespedres hill you can see a dolmen belonging to a megalithic tomb.

Likewise, it is Romanesque. Church of San Julian de Cabrera, which was built in the 11th century, although it was renovated in the 16th century. On the other hand, that of Santa Maria de Corcó It responds to the baroque and dates from the 18th century, like the Chapel of Saint Mary. Finally, don't forget to appreciate the beauty of the many farmhouses in the area. Among these, those of El Perai, les Antetes or El Collell. You even have medieval bridges like The one from La Teulería.

Gorg of the Malatosca

You will find this other wonderful space next to the town of Sant Joan de les Abbesses, in the Girona region of RipollésIt is a truly magical place, so much so that, apparently, covens were held there a few centuries ago. In fact, it is also known as Gorg of the Witches. In fact, it forms this pool with a waterfall, which is also among the most beautiful natural pools in Catalonia, Ter river in its path.

There is also a hiking route to get there that will catch your attention. It is called of Iron and Coal, which receives this name due to the tradition of forges in the area of ​​Bajo Ripollés and coal extraction in the Ogassa mines.

After the walk, you can take a revitalizing bath in this pool and spend the rest of the day getting to know the town where it is located. Because Sant Joan de les Abbesses has a magnificent monumental heritage. Its great emblem is the Monastery of Sant Joan de Ripoll, whose construction began in the 9th century and which responds to the Romanesque and Gothic styles. Precisely, the Davallament Inside, a sculptural ensemble representing the descent of Jesus Christ from the cross is considered a jewel of Catalan Romanesque.

Next to the monastery is the Abbey Palace, built in the 14th century following the Gothic standards. Today it houses the Interpretation Centre of the Myth of Count Arnau, who, according to legend, rides on a black steed that breathes fire from its mouth. The same is true of the Old Bridge, dating back to the 12th century. In contrast, the Church of Sant Pol It is Romanesque, although it was expanded in the 17th century with Baroque elements.

Finally, approach the Plaza Mayor, which is porticoed and served as the nucleus of the Old Town, urbanized in the 13th century and whose layout is preserved along with remains of the medieval walls, including two towers.

La Fontcalda

We now move to the province of Tarragona to show you another example of magnificent natural pools in Catalonia. As its name suggests, the Fontcalda ("hot spring") is made up of seven pools of hot springs that sprout from the ground, giving it temperatures of around 28 degrees Celsius.

More specifically, you will find it in the municipal district of Gandesa, about eighty kilometers from Tarragona, between the La Mola and El Crestall mountain ranges. In addition, the unique chemical composition of the waters gives them therapeutic properties. Such is the beauty of the landscape that every first Sunday in May a procession to the place with a stop at the hermitage of the Virgin and a pilgrimage included. And it is that, next to the Fontcalda there was a sanctuary that, later, became Spa.

On the other hand, if you decide to visit this natural pool, take the opportunity to get to know the historic town of Gandesa. Inhabited since pre-Roman times, as evidenced by the Iberian settlement of Coll del Moro, Carthaginians, Latins and Arabs also passed through there. However, it would be Ramon Berenguer IV who granted it citizenship in the 12th century.

In the village you have to visit the Church of the Assumption, which is Romanesque in transition to Gothic and which stands out for its imposing façade. In the 17th century it was reformed, giving it Baroque features. The Castellano Palace, of Templar origin and later used as a prison in Gandesa and the House of the Inquisitor. Likewise, the Middle Ages include the Cerer and Suñer housesWhile that of the barons of Purroy It is an 18th century baroque palace, although its façade responds to Renaissance canons.

However, Gandesa stands out for its modernist heritage. This style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries is reflected in the very Town Hall, the Sun house or the building of the Agricultural Cooperative. The latter is a spectacular construction due to the architect Cesar Martinell.

Gorgs del Tenes, spectacular waterfalls in one of the natural pools of Catalonia

In this case we move to the municipality of Bigues and Riells del Fai, in the region of Valles Oriental, within the province of Barcelona. In this case, the various natural pools are due to some dizzying waterfalls that fall down the steep gorge formed by the Cingles or Cliffs of Bertí contributing to creating an unparalleled landscape.

Some of these jumps are also very close to the no less spectacular monastery of San Miquel del Fai, which seems to hang from the abyss and is more than ten centuries old. Gothic in style, the Rossinyol torrent runs along its western side, creating some unique caves. We recommend that you visit it after taking a refreshing bath. But we also recommend that you visit the capital of the municipality, Bigues. It is a small town set up around the St. Peter's Church, originally Romanesque from the 12th century, and of the Ca l'Atzet farmhouse.

Precisely, this type of traditional constructions are very numerous in the area. Among them, you can also see those of Can Quintanes, La Pineda o Can Figueres. Finally, don't forget to look at the many flour mills in the municipality. For example, those of Regassol, La Madella or del Pinar.

In conclusion, we have proposed five of the best natural pools of CataloniaBut we could add others like those of the Eagle's Nest in the province of Tarragona, those of Torrelles de Foix en of Barcelona or the very Banyoles lake, in that of Gerona. Come and discover these magical places in the autonomous community of Catalonia.