La Pobla de Lillet and the Cement Train

The Cement Train is a heritage railway that follows the route of the old mining train that carried cement from the Clot del Moro factory to La Pobla de Lillet. Today it is a tourist attraction that runs for 3.5 km along the Llobregat valley, offering spectacular views of the river, cliffs and forests.

The journey lasts about 20 minutes each way and includes a stop at Clot del Moro, the abandoned cement factory designed by Rafael Guastavino. The site is a spectacular example of early 20th-century industrial architecture, with towering brick chimneys and vaulted structures now overtaken by nature.

Trains run on weekends and holidays from April to November, with more frequent service in summer. It is advisable to book in advance, especially during peak season.

Start your day at the Artigas Gardens, designed by Antoni Gaudi in 1905 for textile industrialist Joan Artigas. These Modernist gardens blend seamlessly with the natural landscape along the River Llobregat, featuring stone bridges with parabolic arches, grottos, fountains and waterfalls.

The self-guided tour takes about 45 minutes and is suitable for all ages. Look for Gaudi's signature elements: organic forms, trencadis mosaics and structures that seem to grow from the rock itself. Entry costs 5 EUR for adults, 3 EUR for children.

After the gardens, stroll through La Pobla de Lillet village centre, with its stone houses, arcaded square and small shops selling local products.

Have lunch at one of La Pobla's traditional restaurants, where you can try Bergueda cuisine: trinxat (cabbage and potato), roast lamb, wild mushrooms in season, or local sausages. Many restaurants offer set menus for 15-20 EUR.

In the afternoon, board the Cement Train at the station in La Pobla. The vintage carriages depart for Clot del Moro, where you can explore the abandoned cement factory with its dramatic ruins and interpretive panels explaining the industrial process. The combination of brick architecture and mountain scenery is spectacular for photography.

If you have time, visit the Museum-House of the Cement Train in the old station building, which documents the railway's history and the region's industrial heritage.

If you want a full day in nature, continue 10 km north to Castellar de n'Hug to visit the Sources of the Llobregat, where the river emerges from a karst spring in a spectacular waterfall. This adds about 1.5 hours to your excursion.

The drive from Castellar de n'Hug back to La Tor de Montclar via the C-26 is scenic and takes about 45 minutes.

How to get there: From La Tor de Montclar, take the C-26 north towards Guardiola de Bergueda, then follow signs to La Pobla de Lillet. The journey is 30 km and takes about 30 minutes.

Parking: Free parking near the Artigas Gardens and the train station.

Entrance fees: Artigas Gardens 5 EUR adults, Cement Train 8 EUR adults / 5 EUR children (return journey), Museum 3 EUR.

Best season: Spring and summer for the gardens in bloom; autumn for golden beech forests. The Cement Train operates April to November.