The natural environment of Granollers offers the chance to visit different places where you can enjoy the countryside and local flora and fauna.

The Espai Natural de Can Cabanyes is a very important ecological site for fauna related to the river Congost. Covering 8 hectares, it’s located to the south of Granollers, between the main road to Montmeló and right bank of the River Congost.

This area includes an environmental education centre, a picnic area, wetlands, ponds for the reproduction of amphibians, woodland and an observation point for birds in the wetlands. Aquatic birds can also be seen on the River Congost from the River Walk (Passeig Fluvial).

The wetlands provide a new habitat for aquatic flora and fauna. Established in 2003, it has increased the area’s biodiversity and is a place for research, environmental education and also leisure pursuits.

It can be reached from the centre of Granollers on foot or by bicycle, as well as by car, using the car park at the Cal Gordi Can Català industrial estate.

The rural area of Palou is still largely agricultural and has some very interesting places to visit either on foot or by bicycle, although it’s also accessible by car.

Palou was a separate town until 1928, when it became part of Granollers. It was mentioned for the first time in 924 under the name of “Palatiolo”. The oldest part of the village is made up of the church of Sant Julià ( 16th century) and the Passeig de Doctor Fàbregas, the site of the old Town Hall, now a civic centre and also the old schools and accommodation for teachers.

The houses in Palou are typically spread out although the town is divided into a dozen hamlets (districts) with their own name, including Can Bassa (1644) and Torre de les Aigües (mentioned in documents dating from the 14th century).

Hemp and linen used to be grown here. In the 19th century, these crops were changed to potato and vines, although the latter ended in 1883 due to the phylloxera plague.

By the 20th century there were also many dairy farms.

Palou has a considerable number of historical and natural assets, as well as a farming industry that is striving to recover and adapt to the new context of the 21st century. A legacy that has survived up to the present day but which is also a strategic factor in the production of food, the quality of the environment and local development.

Through the “Productes de Palou” brand, you can buy local produce grown and produced in this area, such as organic chicken from Can Pep Julià, the first organic producer in Granollers.

Take a stroll along the paths that meander through its fields, ponds, irrigation channels and farmhouses and discover a rural landscape just 10 minutes from the centre of Granollers.

The river walk along the Congost is one of the city’s prime natural areas and the ideal place to walk, observe the flora and fauna, run, cycle and enjoy other sports.

This Walk, extending more than 12 km, contains bridges, walkways, municipal allotments, picnic areas and zones equipped for stretching.

The river walk (Passeig Fluvial) runs along both banks of the river Congost and has become a place where the people of Granollers can enjoy both nature and various leisure pursuits.

The river Congost runs through the city of Granollers for 6.7 km. It rises in the plains of Vic, at Montmeló, and after 41 km joins with the River Mogent to form the River Besós.

The river Congost now forms part of the Natura 2000 Network, providing European protection due to its ecological value.

The most important parks in Granollers are parc del Congost, parc Firal, parc del Lledoner, parc del Puig de les Forques and parc de Ponent.

The parc del Congost runs along the Passeig Fluvial and is one of the city’s largest parks, including several play areas for children and a football pitch.

The parc Firal covers more than 50,000 m² and has been designed as a venue for large-format activities (trade fairs, concerts, circuses, etc.) as well as open-air sports, dog-walking and games.

The parc del Lledoner is Granollers’ largest city park. It is renowned for its outstanding irrigation system that takes advantage of non-potable water.

The parc del Puig de les Forques, located on top of a small hill, provides magnificent views of the municipality, the coastal and pre-coastal hills and part of the Vallès region. It has viewing points that help to identify the most important peaks.

The parc de Ponent is the city’s most architectural park, with a football pitch and a lake measuring over 3,500 m² with a permanent installation designed by the Granollers artist, Jordi Benito. His work contains elements that had already formed part of his career as an artist which have a particular meaning for the park.

Granollers has a lot of areas designed with picnics in mind, providing wooden tables, waste bins and, in some places, also drinking fountains. You can find them at the following sites:

• Parc del Lledoner
• Parc Torras Villà
• Parc del Congost
• Jardins de Joan Vinyoli (in the area close to the mobile home car park)
• Passeig Fluvial
• Espai Natural de Can Cabanyes (next to the Environmental Education Centre of Can Cabanyes)
• Mirador de la Serra de Llevant (in the area close to the Montserrat Montero Special Education Centre, on the Camí de Santa Quitèria)
• Font del Ràdium