Barcelona’s Hidden Heights: Group Hike to Tibidabo and Beyond
Exploring Barcelona’s Peaks and Panoramas
Yesterday morning, I set off on a new adventure—a group hike arranged through the Meetup app. As someone new to exploring Barcelona on foot, I was a bit unsure of what to expect but excited to meet up with a small group of like-minded hikers. At 9 a.m., we gathered at a metro station in the northwestern part of Barcelona, and within minutes, we were already en route to the trailhead, aiming for the famed peak of Tibidabo.
Our trail greeted us with remnants of the previous day’s rain. With the ground still damp, I quickly learned to watch out for slippery rocks as we ascended. But before long, the rhythm of the hike took over, and we found ourselves under a cooling canopy of trees. About 70% of the trail is shaded, which was a welcome bonus—especially as we pushed up the more challenging parts of the hike.
And then, like magic, Tibidabo appeared. There it was, its magnificent church rising against the sky, with a small amusement park just beside it. Yes, a church and a theme park—both atop the same mountain! It’s one of those wonderfully unexpected sights that make you stop and appreciate the blend of history and quirkiness that makes Barcelona so unique. And the views! From the peak, Barcelona lay spread out beneath us, a shimmering mosaic of rooftops, coastline, and rolling hills. On the other side, the jagged peaks of Montserrat added a dramatic touch to the horizon.
After soaking up the scene at Tibidabo, we continued on to Montaña Collserola. This vantage point gave us an entirely new angle of Tibidabo, casting it in a fresh light and offering yet another stunning view of Barcelona below. Eventually, we made our way back down into the city, concluding the hike with a well-deserved break at a local café. I opted for a large coffee, the perfect end to an energizing morning.
Reflecting on the experience, I’m already looking forward to more group hikes like this one. Not only did I discover parts of Barcelona I’d never seen before, but I also enjoyed the camaraderie of a group hike—a wonderful way to explore new places and make friends along the way.