Golf El Montanya sits at the base of the Montseny, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of the most important natural parks in Catalonia. At 779 metres altitude, the course offers cooler summer temperatures than the coast while remaining close enough to Barcelona for a day trip: 35 minutes from the city, 45 from Girona.
Designed by the British architect Dave Thomas, whose other works include The Belfry's Brabazon Course (Ryder Cup venue), the 18-hole par 72 layout opened in 1989. Thomas routed the course through mature forests of pine and holm oak, with streams and elevation changes that give the round a distinctive mountain character. The views of the 1,695m Matagalls peak, the highest summit of the Montseny massif, frame most of the back nine.
The course is Global Safe Site certified (2021) and part of the local environmental programme of the Montseny Biosphere Reserve. The Mas Estanyol restaurant on-site serves traditional Catalan cuisine, and the club has a golf school, a full practice area, and equipment rental. The pace is unhurried and the club retains a social, family atmosphere.
For visitors based in Barcelona, El Montanya is the easiest way to play a real mountain course without committing to a multi-day trip to the Cerdanya. Combined with a morning in the medieval village of Rupit or a visit to the vineyards of the DO Pla de Bages (30 minutes away), it makes a complete day away from the city.
Highlights
- •Dave Thomas design (The Belfry Brabazon)
- •Montseny UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
- •35 minutes from Barcelona, 45 from Girona
- •Views of the 1,695m Matagalls peak
Facilities & Amenities
Location & Access
El Brull, Barcelona
View on Google Maps→Frequently Asked Questions
How far is El Montanya from Barcelona?+
35 minutes by car via the C-17 motorway. It is the closest mountain golf course to the city, making it perfect for a day trip or a stop on the way north.
What is the Montseny Biosphere Reserve?+
A UNESCO-designated natural park covering 30,000 hectares of Mediterranean forest north of Barcelona. The park contains four peaks over 1,500m, including Matagalls which dominates the views from the course.
Who designed the course?+
Dave Thomas, the British architect behind The Belfry's Brabazon Course, which hosted the Ryder Cup four times. His mountain routing at El Montanya emphasises natural elevation and strategic bunkering.
Is it playable year-round?+
Yes. The 779m altitude means cooler summers than the coast, and the Montseny is sheltered enough that winter rounds are comfortable too. Spring and autumn are particularly beautiful with the changing forest colours.
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