About this place
Espai Natural de les Guilleries-Savassona is a large protected area in the Osona region of Catalonia, spanning more than 8,300 hectares across five municipalities: Vilanova de Sau, Folgueroles, Sant Julià de Vilatorta, Tavèrnoles, and Sant Sadurní d'Osormort. The area sits at the meeting point of two distinct geographical zones — Catalonia's transversal mountain system and the Mediterranean region — which gives the park an unusually varied landscape within a single protected space.
What makes this area distinctive?
The territory is made up of two separate natural spaces listed under Catalonia's Pla d'Espais d'Interès Natural (PEIN): Guilleries and Savassona. Within these, three landscape units are distinguished — Guilleries, Savassona, and Collsacabra — each with its own vegetation and terrain character.
What kind of vegetation grows here?
The Guilleries section is dominated by dense, humid forests where oak trees prevail, reflecting a more Atlantic-influenced climate. Savassona, by contrast, is drier and rockier, with holm oak and pine as the dominant species. This contrast means a walk through the park can take visitors from damp deciduous woodland to Mediterranean scrubland within a relatively short distance.
What draws visitors to this landscape?
The area's best-known feature is its proximity to the Sau reservoir (Pantà de Sau), which is ringed by steep, rocky ridges. The combination of open water and dramatic cliffs creates one of the most recognizable views in the Osona region, drawing hikers and anyone looking for scenic overlooks above the lake.
Who manages this protected area?
Espai Natural de les Guilleries-Savassona is one of fourteen protected sites within the network of natural areas and green infrastructure managed by the Diputació de Barcelona. This institution is responsible for nature conservation, trail maintenance, and coordinating activity across the park's several municipalities.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is Espai Natural de les Guilleries-Savassona located? It lies in the Osona region of Catalonia, spread across the municipalities of Vilanova de Sau, Folgueroles, Sant Julià de Vilatorta, Tavèrnoles, and Sant Sadurní d'Osormort.
How large is the protected area? It covers more than 8,300 hectares, making it one of the larger protected territories in the region.
What are the main things to see in the park? The sharp landscape contrasts stand out — humid oak forests in the Guilleries section, drier pine and holm oak terrain in Savassona, and above all the views over the Sau reservoir surrounded by rocky ridges.
Who is responsible for managing the area? The park is part of the network of natural spaces managed by the Diputació de Barcelona.
Nearby places
Earn badges for the places you visit
Download NextOnTrip, discover new places and check off your trails.