Exploring Sant Cugat's best outdoor workout spots for fitness enthusiasts

Written by Martin Ebner
Updated September 2026.

Training outside in Sant Cugat can mean completely different things. You can run through Parc Central, use the outdoor equipment at La Pollancreda, book a padel court at Jaume Tubau or disappear into Collserola for half the day.

The mistake would be trying to make every place behave like a gym. Some are good for strength work. Others are better for walking, running or cycling. Choose the spot that suits the session, not the one that happens to look nicest on Instagram.

These are five worth knowing about.

1. PARC CENTRAL

Parc Central works best when you don’t need much. Its tree-lined path gives you plenty of room for walking, running and cycling, while the basketball courts and large lawns open up a few more options.

Personally, I wouldn’t carry a collection of bands and dumbbells around the park. Use the space. A few rounds of split squats, press-ups, step-ups and controlled bodyweight work, combined with a run or brisk walk, makes a perfectly good session.

It’s central, easy to reach and large enough that you can usually find some room without accidentally becoming part of somebody else’s picnic.

2. PARC DE LA POLLANCREDA

La Pollancreda is the better option when you want something closer to an outdoor gym. The official park listing includes sports areas, a skate park, gymnastic equipment and a cycle lane.

The exact exercises will depend on which equipment is free, but you can easily combine it with squats, lunges, press-ups and short runs to create a full-body session.

Don’t waste ten minutes waiting for one particular piece of equipment. Use something else. Part of the appeal of training outside is not having to watch somebody conduct their entire social life between sets.

The park also sits on the green route leading from central Sant Cugat towards Collserola, so you can extend the session with a longer walk, run or cycle when you’ve finished.

3. PARC DE CAN VERNET

Can Vernet is better for the days when moving matters more than having a hard training session. The park surrounds the medieval Can Vernet aqueduct and includes cycling lanes, tall trees and enough open space for walking, mobility work or a short bodyweight circuit.

It isn’t where I’d go for serious strength training, and that’s fine. Not every hour outside needs to become a workout worthy of its own name.

Use it for an easy run, a recovery walk or some movement when you’ve spent too much of the day sitting down. If you want equipment and a more structured session, La Pollancreda is the better choice.

4. COLLSEROLA NATURAL PARK

Collserola is the one to choose when you want the workout to feel like you’ve been somewhere. You’ve got walking routes, hiking trails, trail running and mountain-bike routes, with enough climbing to make things difficult without adding burpees at the top.

Choose your route before setting off. Collserola is enormous, and following whichever path looks nicest can turn a short walk into a considerably longer afternoon. Bring water, wear shoes that suit the terrain and don’t rely entirely on a dying phone battery to get you home.

The park occasionally introduces temporary access restrictions, so check the official Collserola website before leaving. If weight loss is part of the goal, my guide to getting more from hiking explains how pace, distance, hills and consistency affect the result.

A long climb through Collserola also does a fairly good job of clearing your head. No headphones required.

5. ZEM JAUME TUBAU

ZEM Jaume Tubau is for organised sport rather than an improvised circuit in the park. The municipal complex is used for football and other activities, while its padel courts can be booked by the public.

This one needs a little preparation. Turning up with a padel racket and optimism isn’t a booking, so check the current availability and reservation information before you go.

A decent game of padel gives you plenty of short sprints, changes of direction and rapid reactions. Football will do much the same, while reminding you exactly how long it’s been since you last played.

Not every useful workout needs to be measured in sets and repetitions. Sometimes chasing a ball around for an hour is more than enough.

WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Don’t overthink it. Use Parc Central or Can Vernet for walking, running and easier movement. Choose La Pollancreda when you want outdoor strength work, Collserola for distance and hills, and Jaume Tubau when you fancy something competitive or social.

One place doesn’t need to provide everything. A strength session at La Pollancreda and a long weekend walk through Collserola work perfectly well together.

If you want more options closer to the city, I’ve also put together a guide to the best outdoor workout spots in Barcelona.

IF YOU WANT THE TRAINING PLANNED FOR YOU

I train mainly from my private outdoor terrace in Eixample, but I can also travel to suitable homes, offices and private gyms. Training in Sant Cugat may be possible when the location, schedule and travel involved make sense.

You can read how personal training with me works and check the current prices before deciding.

If it sounds like a good fit, complete the intake form. I read every enquiry myself and reply directly.