The best gravel rides around Sant Iscle De Vallalta

If you pass by the Can Valls path, it's worth stopping to look at these three strange structures. They are not modern kilns: they are traditionally dated to the 9th–10th centuries, and one of them is still practically whole. Here, pine and oak stumps and wood were slowly baked to obtain "pega", a kind of vegetable tar used to waterproof boats and containers, and also for lighting. What's curious is to think that more than a thousand years ago, people were already working this forest and exploiting its resources right at this spot. A small stop that, if you don't know what you're looking at, goes completely unnoticed.

This small hermitage, lost in the woods, was born out of a promise, not a whim. In 1885, the Prats family paid for its construction after their daughter Fermina recovered from an illness. The first mass was held that same year. And here comes the good part: it's next to the Font de la Salut, and this whole area has long been associated with stories of healing waters and the famous dones d’aigua, the mysterious water women from the legends of Sant Iscle. Small, hidden, and without great pretension. But if someone builds an entire hermitage because their daughter gets cured, it at least deserves you to stop your bike for five minutes.

Curious pass between Calella and Sant Cebrià de Vallalta. Today it is a large open expanse in the middle of the forest with views towards the Mediterranean, but it has a much less beautiful past: during the second half of the 20th century it ended up being converted into a landfill. In the year 2000 the environment was recovered and restored. Now it is hard to imagine: you arrive by bike, leave the forest and this huge clearing appears dominating the valley and the coast. From dump to viewpoint. There are places that improve a lot with the years.

One of those places where it's worth slowing down a bit and looking around. Towering trees, dense forest, and a light that, when it filters through the canopy, makes this stretch spectacular. In summer, the shade is also greatly appreciated. And you're in Vallgorguina, land of forests, dolmens, and old witch stories. Very close by, in Pedra Gentil, tradition says that covens and witch gatherings were held. I don't know if any remain, but if you pass through here with this light, you perfectly understand why so many legends were born in these woods. A beautiful stretch to enjoy by bike without rushing.

It is a very pleasant stretch of road thanks to the shade of the vegetation and the low traffic. In winter it tends to be damp, so I recommend caution.

Parc i Font de la Llorita Aquest indret, molt a la vora del centre urbà, va ser des dels anys cinquanta un lloc d'esbarjo per a molts llavanerencs. Al costat de la riera i a l'ombra de les alzines i altres arbres centenaris, es va construir una font i diversos bancs; durant alguns anys, també s'hi instal·lava, a l'estiu, un petit "merendero". Eren moltes, les colles d'amics que als vespres d'estiu es portaven les taules i cadires per anar a sopar sota la fresca dels arbres. També s'hi organitzaven ballades de sardanes i altres actes festius i també era un lloc habitual per als infants de les escoles que hi anaven, la tarda del dijous gras o altres dies, a fer una excursió i berenar. Font: Ajuntament de Sant Andreu de Llavaneres

Good morning route. No difficulties

A monumental tree planted when the estate still functioned as a fortified house, and what's less known is that for decades it served as a landmark for the farmers and charcoal burners of the valley: "If you see the cedar, you're already close to Can Valls." Its exaggerated size is no accident: it was used to break the wind that came down from Montseny and protect the crops in the orchards. It still bears old marks from metal fastenings where tools or work ropes were hung. A discreet giant with a true farmhouse history.