Where to pick chestnuts in Catalonia?

Where can you pick chestnuts in Catalonia? Discover the best areas with chestnut trees to go and find them this autumn!

With the arrival of October, ripe chestnuts begin to fall to the ground. If you want to go and collect them, Montseny, Guilleries, Montnegre, Garrotxa, Albera, and the Prades Mountains are home to some of Catalonia's most famous chestnut forests.

Here are some places where you can find chestnut trees and look for chestnuts, provided you have permission to collect them!

1. Viladrau: the chestnut trees of Montseny

The forests of Viladrau are one of the best-known places in Catalonia for finding chestnut trees. Along the paths around the Castanyer de les Nou Branques, the chestnut groves are the main attraction during the autumn months. It's a good area to look for ripe chestnuts, always with the permission of the landowners.

Enter the Castanyeda de Merli

2. Sant Hilari Sacalm: Chestnut groves in the Guilleries

In the Guilleries mountains, the Font d'en Gurb path winds through chestnut forests and woodlands. This area features chestnut groves and accessible paths where you can search for fallen chestnuts, always within designated areas where collection is permitted.

Follow the Font d'en Gurb trail

3. Arbúcies: the Castanyeda del Gavatx

Arbúcies is another of the Montseny municipalities with a significant number of chestnut trees. The route to the Castanyeda del Gavatx passes through forests where you can find chestnut trees and search for their fruit during the autumn. Keep in mind the steep inclines and ask for permission before picking chestnuts.

Explore the Castanyeda del Gavatx

4. Espinelves: Chestnut trees between Montseny and the Guilleries

The forests surrounding Espinelves and the forest tracks towards Viladrau are notable for their chestnut trees. The cool, damp spots in this area are particularly good for finding chestnuts during October and November.

Arrive at Castanyeda de l'Espinàs

5. Riells i Viabrea: the chestnut groves of Sant Martí de Riells

The Riells stream valley hides centuries-old chestnut trees and small chestnut groves. The paths near Sant Martí de Riells allow you to locate areas with chestnut trees and discover potential harvesting spots, always with the owners' permission.

Walk among the chestnut trees of Riells

6. Arenys de Munt: the chestnut trees of Montnegre

The Montnegre massif also features areas with chestnut trees, especially on the wetter slopes. Around Arenys de Munt and Turó de la Freixa, chestnut forests can be found a short distance from the Maresme coast.

Explore the chestnut groves of Can Ponet

7. Santa Pau: the chestnut trees of the Cot

In La Garrotxa, the Cot area, within the municipality of Santa Pau, still preserves sections of chestnut forest. This offers an alternative for chestnut hunting in the inland forests of Girona, especially in areas with soils suitable for this species.

Discover the chestnut trees of Can Caselles

8. Les Preses: Chestnut trees in the forests of Xenacs

Chestnut trees are also found in the area around Xenacs and at the base of Murrià. The forests in this part of La Garrotxa are another option for chestnut hunting during the ripening season, always respecting farm boundaries and harvesting permits.

Go to the chestnut grove of the Racó volcano

9. Vilanova de Prades: Chestnuts in the Prades Mountains

Vilanova de Prades is a municipality with a long tradition of chestnut cultivation. The paths near Coll del Pubill pass cross areas with chestnut groves and chestnut farms. It's a landmark in southern Catalonia, where it's especially important to obtain permission before picking chestnuts.

Follow the path to Coll del Pubill

10. Cantallops: the chestnut trees of the Requesens forests

In the forests of Requesens, in the Albera mountain range, chestnut trees grow alongside oaks, beeches, and holm oaks. This area of the Alt Empordà region is a great place to find chestnut groves and forage for chestnuts in autumn, always bearing in mind access restrictions and the necessary permits.

Take a stroll among the chestnut trees of Requesens

When is the best time to pick chestnuts? The season is usually concentrated during the month of October and the beginning of November, although it can vary depending on the altitude, rainfall and temperatures.

Before filling your basket, remember that many chestnut groves are privately owned. You must have the owners' permission to collect the chestnuts. Only pick ripe chestnuts that have fallen to the ground, do not shake the trees, and always respect the natural environment.

Pack your basket, gloves, and comfortable shoes! Catalonia offers numerous areas with chestnut trees where you can enjoy chestnut picking, provided you have the necessary permit.