Sant Privat d'en Bas between hiking trails and cultural heritage

If you are planning a stay in Sant Privat d'en Bas, you can shape your days around different interests: hikes on a variety of routes, religious heritage, swimming and local cuisine. When choosing a hotel, it helps to first consider how much time you want to spend hiking and whether you would also like to include culture or a day of swimming. Routes differ in their starting points and courses; seasonal conditions may also affect swimming.

Hiking trails and views

In the landscape around Sant Privat d'en Bas, water from forests and rocky cliffs gathers at the Salt del Sallent waterfall. The upper part of Salt de Sallent can be reached from Can Turó park by two paths: the camí dels Matxos and the camí de les Escales. From the viewpoint above, you can look out over the plain of la Vall d'en Bas and much of the Garrotxa. A hike to Salt del Sallent passes through a shady, dense beech forest to a viewpoint where the Riera de Sallent plunges over a cliff more than 80 metres high.

A 6.5-kilometre circular hike starts at the Pla d'en Xurri picnic area. It follows the camí dels Matxos to the Salt de Sallent waterfall and returns to the starting point via les Escales, along the Riera de Sallent. Trail conditions on this route can change, so check them before setting out. Another option is the Salt de Sallent o de Gurn descent route: reaching the route takes one hour, and the descent is listed as taking one hour and 30 minutes.

The destinations and starting points of the longer trails also vary. The route to the cave at the les Olletes sanctuary starts in Sant Privat d'en Bas and climbs along cool, shady paths. The cave has been a pilgrimage destination for the inhabitants of la Vall d'en Bas for centuries. A traverse runs from Joanetes to Sant Privat d'en Bas over the summit of Puigsacalm, the equipped Ganxos Nous route and the dels Burros trail. If you are looking for a relatively short walk or bike ride, the municipal route information describes the section of the road known as parcel·lària between Hostalets and Sant Privat as an easy option.

Swimming and local cuisine

Below Sant Privat d'en Bas, the Gurn River forms natural pools suitable for swimming. Swimming is also possible in the Gorgues del Gurn at the dels Pins picnic area. Access and swimming conditions may vary by season, so check the current conditions before planning a visit. This lets you plan swimming separately from hikes, where the route itself is the main consideration.

The Ca la Carmelita restaurant in Sant Privat d'en Bas serves traditional cuisine and market-inspired dishes made with local produce. As the restaurant's operations may change, check the latest information before visiting.

Church and festival traditions

The first documented mention of the church of Sant Privat dates to 1017. In the ensemble of Sant Privat d'en Bas, the church and a small group of houses enclose a secluded square. Access is through a vaulted passage beneath one of the houses. This layout provides a tangible cultural point of interest, even if you are mainly planning your stay around the trails and landscape.

The Ball de Sant Isidre dance has its origins in ancient agricultural rites dedicated to the protection and fertility of the harvest. It is associated with the Festa Major of Sant Privat and is performed in the second half of August. Another cultural event was La Vall d'en Bach: the event was held for the third time in 2026, with Bach's music performed, among other places, in the church of Sant Privat d'en Bas. These dates refer to the respective editions and are not announcements of future dates.

If you are weighing up an active trip against a stay with a greater focus on culture, the different routes and the area's history offer a range of options. For hiking, you can choose from a circular route, a descent or a traverse; swimming depends on seasonal conditions. These interests can help you tailor your accommodation search in Sant Privat d'en Bas to your plans.

For the broader travel overview: La Vall D'en Bas.