While the initial climb up the mountain might look intimidating, the entire 6-mile run only gains a little over 1,000 feet of elevation, making this route quite attainable to most runners. If you put your head down and focus on climbing, before you know it, you'll have gained the top of the ridge near Turo del Trac and will be enjoying expansive views of the city below you.

As you descend off the top of the ridge, you'll drop into the depths of Collserola. While the vegetation on the south-facing slopes is open and dry, on the north-facing slopes, the vegetation is dense, and the woods feel deep and dark. Here, you'll wind your way beneath a dark forest canopy along ancient singletrack trails that connect old villages and historic sites.

During this run, you'll pass "the Ermita De Sant Medir dating from the 11th century and the Forn Ibèric, a relic from the second century BC," according to BarcelonaNavigator.com.

"Ermita" stands for "Hermitage" in English, and this ancient religious site has stood the test of time. However, over the years, the building itself has undergone many transformations, so "almost no original vestige remains" of the original building, according to Wikipedia. Currently, the hermitage has a belfry, an entrance door with an arch, and some religious engravings.

The Forn Ibèric is a well-preserved ancient Iberian oven located "next to the hermitage of Sant Adjutori, where the Roman road from Bàrcino to Sant Cugat passed," according to Wikipedia.

Enjoy the beauty of the forest and enjoy the incredible history—this run is a gem!