excursions alta garrotxa

La Garrotxa: las mejores rutas de senderismo

Excursiones e itinerarios por el parque natural de la Garrotxa (Girona)

La Garrotxa , en la provincia de Girona, ofrece una gran diversidad de flora y fauna que nos permite perdernos por lugares inhóspitos. Su gran riqueza geológica nos permite descubrir pequeños rincones espectaculares.

Con un relieve salvaje y montañoso, la Garrotxa se divide en dos zonas diferenciadas. En la mitad superior,   por encima del rio Fluvià es conocida como Alta Garrotxa , mientras que en la mitad inferior se conoce como la comarca de Olot.

En ambas zonas existen infinidad de sitios de gran interés histórico, natural, paisajístico y arquitectónico, y con una gran red de senderos señalizados.

Si estás de visita, te recomiendo leer nuestro artículo sobre   qué ver y hacer en la Garrotxa .

Hoy vamos a explicar diferentes rutas en La Garrotxa , detallando niveles de dificultad, consejos y mucho más. Sigue leyendo.

Índice de contenidos

• 1 Ruta de Sadernes a Sant Aniol d’Aguja hasta El Gorg Blau
• 2 Ruta a els Gorgs de les Planes d’Hostoles
• 3 Ruta al impresionante Salt de Can Batlle
• 4 Ruta de los volcanes i Fageda d’en Jordà
• 5 Vía Verde del Carrilet I: de Olot a Girona
• 6 Ruta de las Tres Coladas en Sant Joan les Fonts
• 7 Ruta al Salt del Roure
• 8 Ruta mirador de la Vall d’en Bas y La Garrotxa
• 9 Ruta circular de Besalú a Beuda
• 10 Ruta a Sant Miquel del Mont por la Via Annia en la Garrotxa
• 11 Ruta al Salt de l’Olla (Vall d’en Bas)
• 12 Ruta al Salt de Sallent (Rupit)

Ruta de Sadernes a Sant Aniol d’Aguja hasta El Gorg Blau

El Gorg Blau (Sadernes)

La ruta de Sadernes a Sant Aniol de Aguja es una de las más conocidas de la Garrotxa. En particular, esta ruta se encuentra en la Alta Garrotxa. La excursión recorre el cauce del río , pasando por zonas de bosque, piedra y pozas a lo largo de todo el recorrido.

Al final del recorrido se llega a la bonita ermita de Sant Aniol d’Aguja, que actualmente estan recuperando.

Luego se puede seguir caminando hasta llegar al hermoso Gorg Blau , una poza singular de gran belleza con sus colores azules que te van a ipmnotizar. Sin duda, la visita merece un baño.

Siguiendo el camino, a los pocos metros se llega al Salt del Brull , una poza más pequeña con un salto de agua muy particular.

Aunque la excursión es bastante larga (te vas a pasar el día caminando), es muy recomendable.

Te dejamos toda la ruta para ir al Gorg Blau de Sadernes con todos los detalles.

Ruta a els Gorgs de les Planes d’Hostoles

El Gorg de Santa Margarida (Planes d’Hostoles)

La ruta de Gorgs de les Planes d’Hostoles, es una increíble experiencia de senderismo y naturaleza . El recorrido se inicia en el aparcamiento de Les Planes d’Hostoles (Gorg de la Plana) y a lo largo del camino, podrás disfrutar de hasta siete saltos de agua y pozas de aguas cristalinas , rodeadas por un impresionante paisaje.

Aunque la excursión no es circular , puedes ir directamente a las pozas que más te interesen.

Las más conocidas son el Gorg de la Plana, El Gorg del Moli dels Murris o el Gorg de Santa Margarida. Todos de una gran belleza.

Ruta al impresionante Salt de Can Batlle

El Salt de Can Batlle (Santa Pau)

El Salt de Can Batlle es una hermosa cascada que se encuentra en medio de la Reserva Natural de la Zona Volcánica de la Garrotxa .

Para hacer esta excursión, tenemos varias opciones. La más habitual es caminar desde el bonito pueblo de Santa Pau, aunque hay un parking que te acerca a tan solo 20 minutos a pie .

Es una excursión muy fácil, ideal para hacer con familia cualquier día del año . En épocas de lluvia, el cauce de agua es espectacular. 

Ruta de los volcanes i Fageda d’en Jordà

Volcán Croscat (Parque natural de la Garrotxa)

Sin duda, es   la ruta más popular de toda la Garrotxa , ya que transcurre por dos de los volcanes más importantes de la zona (el   volcán Croscat y el volcán Santa Margarida ), y finaliza en la encantadora   Fageda d’en Jordà , un hayedo espectacular.

Es una ruta fácil, apta para todas las edades que podemos realizar en una mañana, o incluso para a comer en la ermita situada en el interior del cráter de Santa Margarida.

A mitad del camino encontramos la Cooperativa La Fageda, muy conocida por su ética y calidad en sus productos lácteos, y que podemos combinar con una visita a sus instalaciones.

• Distancia : 12 km (circular)
• Dificultad : fácil
• Duración : 3 hora y 30 minutos
• Época del año : todo el año
• Inicio de la ruta : parking Fageda d’en Jordà ( ver en el mapa )

Para más información, aquí encontrarás la   ruta detallada de los volcanes de la Garrotxa .

Vía Verde del Carrilet I: de Olot a Girona

Vía Verde del Carrilet: de Olot a Girona

Esta es una ruta considerada como vía verde que recorre la antigua vía de tren que unía Olot con Girona.

La ruta transcurre por 12 pueblos de la provincia de Girona, por tramos de bosque y camino muy fácil de seguir.

No plantea ninguna dificultad a pesar de su distancia. Aunque es una via larga pensada para realizar en bicicleta, se puede caminar por cualquiera de los tramos y pueblos por los que pasa.

Es perfecta para cualquier edad. Tenmos una página detallada donde se explica toda la   via verde del Carrilet de Olot a Girona .

• Distancia : 56 km (no es circular)
• Duración : 4~5 horas (en bici)
• Inicio de la ruta : en Olot ( ver en el mapa )

No es una ruta circular, con lo que debemos gestionar nuestra vuelta al coche, ya sea por el mismo camino o transporte público.

Ruta de las Tres Coladas en Sant Joan les Fonts

Columnas Basálticas Sant Joan les Fonts

Sant Joan les Fonts es otro de los pueblos de La Garrotxa que podemos visitar y aprovechar para recorrer uno de los senderos más singulares de la comarca.

El camino discurre entre bosques y formaciones rocosas (riscos basálticos) que son el resultado del enfriamiento de coladas de lava hace miles de años.

Con este itinerario recorremos parte de la riera de Bianya y del rio Fluviá. En el Molí de Fons donde vamos a encontrar una impresionante cascada y colada de roca basáltica, muy poco común en Cataluña.

El sendero también se acerca a un antiguo poblado ibérico y a los riscos de Font Freda.

Se termina en el propio pueblo, momento para aprovechar y visitar la iglesia de Sant Joan.

• Distancia : 6 km (ruta circular)
• Duración : 2 horas y 30 mintuos
• Época del año : todo el año (evitar épocas de lluvia)
• Inicio de la ruta : en Sant Joan les Fonts ( ver en el mapa )

La ruta se encuentra a tan solo 12 minutos en coche de Olot.

Ruta al Salt del Roure

Cascada Salt del Roure, Girona

En el corazón de la Vall d’en Bas, existe un rincón mágico donde puedes admirar una cascada de singular belleza sin necesidad de realizar largas caminatas. Este lugar es conocido como el Salt del Roure y se encuentra oculto en la zona.

El pueblo de Joanetes es el municipio que lo acoge y también desde donde se inicia la ruta para ver este espectacular rincón. La caminata para llegar a verla es de tan solo 3 kilómetros de ida y vuelta .

Con una altura de 30 metros , el Salt del Roure es impresionante, especialmente después de una buena lluvia. Visitar este paraje te asegura una experiencia única y memorable. No querrás irte de allí sin haber contemplado su belleza.

Ruta mirador de la Vall d’en Bas y La Garrotxa

Esta es una ruta más exigente, ya que vamos a encontrar una fuerte pendiente al inicio y final del recorrido.

Pero la excursión vale la pena. Vamos a disfrutar de dos lugares muy especiales, el popular   Salt del Sallent y la ermita de Santa Magdalena , además de unas   vistas espectaculares al valle de la Garrotxa .

El camino empieza en el merendero del Pla del Xurri, donde hay espacio para aparcar nuestro coche.

• Distancia : 11 km (circular)
• Dificultad : moderado
• Duración : 4 horas
• Inicio de la ruta : Pla d’en Xurri ( ver en el mapa )

El camino está bastante bien señalizado con palos verticales de Itinerànnia y marcas amarillas.

Ruta circular de Besalú a Beuda

Iglesia de Santa Maria de Parelà. Foto de  Arnadalvarez

Ruta circular para descubrir gran parte del patrimonio románico de la comarca de la Garrotxa. La excursión empieza en el pueblo de Besalú, una villa medieval con un encanto espectacular.

Se sube por el bosque de Palera hasta el santo Sepulcro de Palera, siguiendo la falda del Puig de Cantallops hasta llegar a Beuda, donde se encuentra la iglesia de Sant Feliu.

Desde este punto descendemos por el collado de Jou y bajamos por la cresta de Can Terrades, donde seguimos el camino de subida.

• Distancia : 15 km (circular)
• Inicio de la ruta : aparcamiento en Besalú ( ver en el mapa )

Aunque es una ruta más larga, no tiene dificultad técnica. Perfecto para combinar la mañana visitando el pueblo de Besalú.

Ruta a Sant Miquel del Mont por la Via Annia en la Garrotxa

Ermita Sant Miquel del Mont

Esta es una ruta de senderismo al oeste de Olot que nos llevará hacia la Ermita de Sant Miquel del Mont, una pequeña iglesia románica del siglo XII de una sola nave.

Ha sido restaurada en varias ocasiones, hasta el año 1933 donde se consolidaron las obras.

Durante la ruta también se contempla la ermita de Sant Andreu del Coll. Se empieza en Hostalnou de Bianya, el valle que se separa con Olot.

• Distancia : 8 km (ruta circular)
• Inicio de la ruta : en Hostalnou de Bianya ( ver en el mapa )

Es una ruta con poca dificultad, apta para todos los públicos. Es fácil de seguir, ya que existen varios paneles marcando la dirección.

Ruta al Salt de l’Olla (Vall d’en Bas)

Salt de l’Olla, La Garrotxa

La comarca de La Garrotxa es conocida por ser tierra de volcanes, pero también es un lugar ideal para los amantes de las cascadas. Es un auténtico paraíso para aquellos que disfrutan de rutas en un entorno especial, rodeados de agua y mucha vegetación.

Uno de los saltos de agua más impresionantes de la zona , pero todavía poco conocido, es el Salt de l’Olla. A pesar de su belleza, este salto de agua pasa completamente desapercibido en el municipio de Hostalets d’en Bas .

Hay varias opciones de ruta para encontrar y admirar la belleza natural de la zona, con itinerarios de senderismo que varían de longitud. Independientemente de la ruta que elijas, encontrarás diferentes pozas y saltos de agua que cautivarán tus sentidos y se quedarán grabados en tu memoria.

Ruta al Salt de Sallent (Rupit)

Salt de Sallent

La ruta hacia el Salt de Sallent desde Rupit, en la comarca de La Garrotxa, es una experiencia inolvidable para los amantes del senderismo y la naturaleza.

La caminata comienza en el encantador pueblo medieval de Rupit y, tras unos minutos de paseo por sus calles empedradas, el camino se adentra en el bosque. El recorrido sigue el curso del río Sallent y se pueden admirar bonitas cascadas y pozas de agua cristalina en el camino.

Después de aproximadamente 1,5 kilómetros de caminata, se llega al impresionante Salt de Sallent, una cascada de 100 metros de altura rodeada de un paisaje natural espectacular . La vista desde arriba es impresionante. Se puede cruzar la cascada por arriba y disfrutar de una vista panorámica impresionante del salto de agua y sus alrededores. ¡Sin duda, una caminata que merece la pena realizar!

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LA GARROTXA

Girona: rutes de natura i cultura per la garrotxa, les millors rutes i excursions a peu, en bicicleta, en cotxe o moto o en cadira de rodes per la comarca de la garrotxa.

La Garrotxa és una comarca prepirinenca de Catalunya que pertany a la província de Girona . Limita al nord amb el Vallespir francès, a l'est amb l' Alt Empordà , Pla de l'Estany i Gironès , al sud amb la Selva , i a l'oest amb l' Osona i el Ripollès .

La capital de comarca és la ciutat de Olot .

Enllaç extern: Web comarcal

Recorregut que parteix d' Olot i visita el Casal i el Museu dels Volcans, a la Torre Castanys, el Jardí Botànic, els Paratges de la Moixina, el Camp d'en Broc i arriba a l'esplèndida i ben conservada Reserva Natural de la Fageda d'en Jordà.

En la ruta proposada es recorre pedalejant un tram del trajecte de l'antic tren de via estreta que comunicava les ciutats d'Olot i Girona i que va funcionar des de l'any 1887 fins al 1969.

El Montsacopa és un dels volcans més representatius del Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa .

Aquest recorregut artístic té com a centre l'antiga vila comtal de Besalú . Perdre's pels seus carrerons i les seves places fa que el temps passat esdevingui tan proper que les pedres de les cases, dels ponts i de les esglésies semblen voler comunicar al visitant tot el que elles han vist.

Els entorns del Puigsacalm retroben els paisatges verds, frondosos i inacabables de les serres prepirinenques com cap altre indret de la Catalunya humida.

Des de Sant Privat d'en Bas , i per la vora del riu Gurn, s'arriba, entre prats i boscos, a l'espectacular salt de Sallent, una caiguda d'aigua d'uns 80 metres ubicada en una vall tancada, ombrívola i de frondosa vegetació. Des de dalt del salt s'albira una extensa vista panoràmica de la vall d'en Bas.

Aquesta excursió té per objectiu assolir dos dels pics més alts i emblemàtics de l'Alta Garrotxa: el Comanegra i el puig de les Bruixes . Durant bona part del trajecte es gaudirà de belles perspectives d'aquest Espai d'Interès Natural i es travessaran boscos ben conservats de roure martinenc i faig.

La vall d'en Bas és un bell indret natural format per boscos, vegetació de ribera, prats i rierols.

A la serra de Finestres, que separa la vall de Llémena -per on discorre l'excursió- i el Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa, es troba el santuari de Santa Maria de Finestres.

La zona de la Vall d'en Bas la formen set pobles i té com a capital administrativa Sant Esteve d'en Bas. Conforma una unitat geogràfica i paisatgística de primer ordre on serres i carenes encinglerades -entre les quals el massís del Puigsacalm és el més conegut- són envoltades per prats i boscos de faigs, alzines i roures fins a arribar a la plana d'en Bas, que posseeix un dels sòls més fèrtils de Catalunya.

El Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de La Garrotxa és un territori extens de 120 Km2, format per 11 municipis i 26 reserves naturals (per exemple (la Fageda d'en Jorda i els volcans del Croscat i del Montsacopa).

Aquesta ruta recorre les valls de Llémena i de Finestres tot travessant boscos i rieres fins a arribar al capdamunt de la serra de Finestres, on, a més d'una frondosa vegetació, hi ha les restes d'un poblat ibèric.

El recorregut transcorre per una interessant zona de cingleres basàltiques, resultants del refredament de les colades de lava emeses per diferents volcans, amb alguna mostra de bosc de ribera amb espècies de gran valor botànic i interessants mostres d'arquitectura industrial a la vora del riu.

L'itinerari és planer i curt, ideal per passejar pel cor de la Fageda d'en Jordà , admirar-ne l'encís i submergir-se plenament en la seva peculiar atmosfera.

El bon estat de conservació en què es manté la vall del Bac es deu sobretot al seu aïllament geogràfic. Els seus paratges, avui ruta habitual i quasi exclusiva d'excursionistes, compten amb algunes construccions com el mas de l'Om, la masia de Llongarriu o l'església de Sant Andreu de Porreres que testimonien l'antiga explotació humana d'aquestes terres.

Savvy Travel Advice

La Garrotxa Travel Guide: 15 Things to do in the Volcanic Region of Catalonia

Last updated: August 26, 2022 - Written by Jessica Norah 36 Comments

The volcanic La Garrotxa region of Catalonia lies between the Pyrenees & the beautiful Costa Brava region in Spain. La Garrotxa is best known for its well-preserved medieval villages, good food, outdoor activity opportunities, Romanesque churches, and volcanic park. La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park is one of the best preserved volcanic landscapes in Europe, containing 40 inactive volcanoes.

If you are looking for a rural escape from Barcelona or Costa Brava, La Garrotxa is a short distance away making for a perfect Girona or Barcelona day trip or weekend getaway spot. Scenic vistas, rural landscapes, and medieval villages abound here. With a large network of trails, Garrotxa is a popular destination for both hikers and cyclists.

Laurence and I have been lucky enough to have visited La Garrotxa several times and we seem to be in the area at least once a year. In this post we’ll share all you need to know to plan a trip and travel within this beautiful region of the Girona Pyrenees. We’ll tell you how to get here and share ideas on where to stay and what to do in La Garrotxa based on our own travels here.

Table of Contents:

Planning your Travels to La Garrotxa

Before we start listing all the things to do in La Garrotxa, we wanted to share some handy travel planning information. This includes advice and tips about getting to La Garrotxa, getting around La Garrotxa, where to stay in the region, the best time of year to visit Garrotxa, and where to find further information.

Where is La Garrotxa?

La Garrotxa is a region within Catalonia that is located within the province of Girona in Spain. It is about 735.4 km² in size. The landlocked region is part of the Girona Pyrenees region .

The center of the region is located about 44km (30 miles) northwest of Girona and 120 km (80 miles) northeast of Barcelona. The northern part of La Garrotxa borders France.

How to Get to La Garrotxa?

There are number of different ways you can travel to La Garrotxa, these include by plane, car, bus, train, and guided tour.

The two major airports near La Garrotxa are the  Barcelona Airport  (largest airport) and  Girona Airport . If arriving by air, you’ll then need to travel to La Garrotxa by car, bus, taxi, or guided tour.

Traveling by car can be a good option if you are traveling from elsewhere in Western Europe. From Barcelona, it is an approximate 1 hour and 50 minute drive to Besalú and a 1 hour 45 minute drive to Olot. From Girona, it is an approximate 35 minute drive to Besalú and 50 minute drive to Olot.

The local bus service is fairly good to most of the cities and larger towns of the region; however, it may not get you to some of the small villages, trailheads, or natural attractions you may want to visit so you may need to use local taxi services as well.

Use the helpful  Teisa Bus website  to check on routes, times, and fares.

If traveling by train, the closest train stations are in Vic and Girona but there is no train service to or within La Garrotxa. You can check local train services here .

If you arrive by train, you can then get to La Garrotxa by car, bus, taxi, or guided tour.

By Guided Tour

If you don’t have a car and don’t want to use public transit, there are a number of regular guided day tour that depart from both Barcelona and Girona. See the Guided Tours section below for options.

How to Get around Garrotxa?

The easiest ways to get around are by car or joining a guided tour. But you can also get around by taking a taxi or using local public buses. Cycling and hiking are also popular, if slower, ways to get around La Garrotxa!

The best places to rent a car in the area are Barcelona and Girona. You can check and compare rental car prices across companies at Priceline if interested in renting a car for the trip. We often find that Enterprise has the best car hire rates.

Guided Tours to La Garrotxa?

If you don’t have a car but still want to visit the region, it is still possible by taking a guided day tour. There are a number of day tour options from both Barcelona and Girona. This is a good option if you are just wanting to see some highlights of La Garrotxa.

There are also self-guided and guided multi-day cycling tours that go through this region as well if you are interested in a cycling holiday.

Garrotxa Day Tours from Barcelona

Here are some day trip tour options that depart from Barcelona:

• This small group tour from Barcelona includes a drive through the Volcanic Park and stops in the villages of Castellfollit de la Roca, Besalú, and Santa Pau.
• This full-day  tour is focused on hiking within the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park (Santa Margarida Volcano and beech forest), and includes a 3-course restaurant lunch as well as stops at waterfalls and visits to the towns of Castellfollit de la Roca and Besalú.
• This full day tour by Take Walks only gives you a taste of La Garrotxa with a visit to Besalú, but it packs in a lot of Catalonia highlights with a guided visit to the Dali Museum and a visit to the medieval city of Girona. It includes lunch in Besalú.
• This private tour from Barcelona includes visits to the villages of Santa Pau, Vic, Castellfollit de la Roca, and Besalú.
• This private tour includes a private hot air balloon ride over the Volcanic Park, brunch, and a guided visit to Besalú. Great option for those wanting to do a hot air balloon ride!

Garrotxa Day Tours from Girona

You have fewer tour options from Girona, but it is still possible to visit the La Garrotxa from Girona:

• This tour  from Girona includes hiking within the La Garrotxa Volcanic Park, a packed lunch, a waterfall, and visits to the towns of Santa Pau and Banyoles.
• This small group tour includes stops in Castellfollit de la Roca, Besalú, and Banyoles

Multi-Day Tours that include La Garrotxa

A popular way to explore this region is by bike so many of the multi-day trips offered in the area are cycling tours. Most include time in Garrotxa, other parts of the Pyrenees, and Costa Brava. Some are self-guided (they give you a route, luggage transfers, and book lodging) and some are fully guided.

For example, there is this self-guided  7-day cycling trip (begins and ends in Figueres) and you can see a number of other available multi-day cycling tours here .

Best time of Year to visit La Garrotxa?

It really depends of course on what you want to do in the area, but we personally think that the Fall (autumn) and Spring are the most pleasant. During these seasons, the weather is often pleasant and it is less crowded, and most attractions are open in the area. Both are nice seasons for hiking and cycling. Autumn is probably the favorite time of year for cycling in this area.

Summer is also a nice time of year as there are more daylight hours, more festivals, and a more lively atmosphere due to there being more people. This is a popular time for day trippers to visit, but this also means prices can be higher in certain areas and some of the more popular towns can be crowded.

Winter is the best time if you want to see snow and if you want to enjoy some of the winter activities of the area like skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing, etc. These activities are not offered in La Garrotxa, but are a short distance away in the Spanish Pyrenees regions of Catalonia in both El Ripollès  and La Cerdanya . Note that if traveling in winter, winter weather can make hiking and driving more difficult, particularly in the northern part of the region of Alta Garrotxa. We’d recommend having winter tires and/or snow chains if driving in the Pyrenees in winter.

Note that rain is common throughout the year, so it is best to come prepared with appropriate rain protection clothing and gear. Winter is the driest season.

Where to stay in La Garrotxa?

There are a lot of places to stay in La Garrotxa, which include hotels , bed-and-breakfasts , apartments , vacation homes , and hostels . It is an hour’s drive or less to reach any place within this region so we’d definitely recommend choosing just one place to base to explore this region. You can see and compare the lodging options in this region here .

In terms of budget, it is easy to find something to suit just about any budget and the region (in fact the entire Pyrenees area) is full of good-value stays. Most hotels and B&B’s, especially those located outside of a town or city, offer breakfast and dinner.

If you are looking for a city with more services, I’d look for lodging in or near Olot as it is the capital of the region and has by far the most shops, restaurants, and tourist services. If you are looking for a quieter spot, I’d look for lodging away from Olot and Besalú.

Here are some recommendations within the region across budgets and lodging types:

• La Rectoria de Sant Miquel – Sant Felíu de Pallarols – This cozy B&B is set in a 12th century rectory offering several guest rooms and 2 lounges. Located just off the Olot-Girona Greenways cycling trail. Free breakfast included, and dinner is also offered to guests. Run by a lovely Catalan-Scottish couple and a great place to stay, we’ve stayed twice!
• Hotel Vall de Bas  – Joanetes – This large rural hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool, breakfast buffet, restaurant, gardens, and terrace. A modern hotel built from a restored farmhouse located in the Bas Valley. We had dinner here twice during our stay and they offered a changing menu featuring a number of Spanish and European dishes.
• Hotel Cal Sastre – Santa Pau – This boutique hotel is made up of two 15th century properties and offers a traditionally decorated rooms with period features within the heart of medieval Santa Pau. The hotel also has a restaurant. We haven’t stayed here but had a wonderful dinner here on the terrace, one of our favorite meals in the region!
• Les Cols Pavellons – Olot – If you are looking for something unusual and more upscale, the Les Cols Pavellons features rooms made of glass floors and walls. Each of the pavillions has a heated onsen bath, a private bathroom, and a comfortable futon mat. Next door is the Michelin-starred Les Cols restaurant or you can enjoy a private picnic by sun and candlelight in your room. Book well in advance as rooms are often sold out a month in advance.
• La Torre Malagrida – Olot – This well-rated hostel offers double, quadruple, and larger dormitory style rooms with shared bathroom and dining areas at very budget-friendly rates. The hostel is located in a beautiful old house.
• Els Jardins de la Martana – Besalú – This well-rated 3-star hotel located right next to the medieval bridge of Besalú and the tourist information office. Includes a lounge, library, and gardens. Very homey feel and we’d stay again, but note that it can be a bit noisy outside the hotel as it is in such a popular location.
• Mas Pineda – Oix – A beautifully restored 13th century farmhouse B&B in a peaceful location with lovely grounds and a farm with farm animals. Breakfast is included and dinner is an option.
• Masia el Puig – La Vall de Bianya – Located within the Garrotxa Nature Reserve, this adult-only hotel is designed for those looking for a tranquil getaway and a bit of pampering. The resort offers a restaurant, bar, outdoor swimming pool, Russian sauna, solarium, and a library. Good spot for a romantic couples weekend.
• Hostal Mont-Rock – Montagut – A budget-friendly guesthouse located between Montagut and Castellfollit de Roca. Offers lunch and dinner options. A short walk to Castellfollit de Roca.

Where to Find More Travel Information about La Garrotxa?

For more information check out the official Garrotxa tourism website , and you can also find individual tourism websites for many of the towns in the region. Once in the region, you can find tourism offices in Olot, Besalú, Sant Joan les Fonts, Santa Pau, Sant Feliu de Pallerols, and Vall d’en Bas.

Although many people in the tourism industry speak English, it is less common in the smaller villages and for those outside the tourism industry. Most people in La Garrotxa speak both Catalan and Spanish (many also speak French), so learning a few essential phrases and having a translation app is helpful. We often used a translation app for menus which in smaller villages may come only in Catalan.

For other information about the Spanish Pyrenees area, we have a post that covers the entirety of the Girona Pyrenees area as well as guides to the neighboring Pyrenees regions of El Ripollès and Baixa Cerdanya .

If you are also planning to explore Girona and the Costa Brava area check out the very helpful Costa Brava Girona tourism website  to get started. We also have articles on visiting the fishing village of Palamós , hot air ballooning in Costa Brava , adventure activities in the area, and a guide to the Salvador Dalí attractions in Costa Brava .

For those who plan to spend some time in Barcelona, check out our suggested  3-day Barcelona itinerary , our Barcelona Pass review , and our guide to the Gaudí sites of Barcelona to get started.

For those exploring other parts of Catalonia, check out the information-packed official Cataluyna tourism website . If you are traveling into other areas of Spain, the Spanish  tourism website  is a great resource.

We don’t know of any good English general travel guides to the Girona Pyrenees or Spanish Pyrenees but you might try a general Spain or Catalonia guidebook.

If you are looking for a map for driving or planning your time in the Pyrenees, you might try this one or  this one . For hiking resources, we can recommend this guide and the local Itinerànnia hiking maps (if you can’t find it online, you can buy them once in the region).

If you have any questions as you plan your visit, feel free to leave us a comment in the Comments section at the end of the post and we’re happy to try to help or give you our suggestions.

15 Things to do in La Garrotxa

There are so many things to do in Garrotxa, and you can easily find plenty to do to fill a weekend or a 2 week trip. But here are 15 of our favorite things to do in La Garrotxa that should give you plenty of ideas to start planning your trip.

Medieval Villages of Garrotxa

There are lovely medieval villages through La Garrotxa, The area’s best preserved medieval villages are Santa Pau, Besalú, Sant Joan les Fonts, and Sant Feliu de Pallerols. You can find medieval bridges, squares, churches, old mills, and ruined castles in the old quarters of these towns, and each is worth taking the time to explore.

Besalú is the best preserved medieval village in La Garrotxa, and one of the best preserved medieval towns in Catalonia. Besalú has been inhabited since at least the Iron Age, evidence of a market exists from at least the 11th century, and by the 14th century it was the commercial center of La Garrotxa. Besalú has a number of historical buildings and structures including a medieval stone bridge, the Monastery of Sant Pere, Casa Cornellà, Sant Julià church and hospital, and remains of a synagogue.

Each September, Besalú holds a popular Medieval Festival that celebrates its past and everything medieval. Besalú is the busiest town we’ve been to in La Garrotxa and in summer it can feel a bit too crowded, so do expect crowds and tour buses here. The visitor center is a good source of information, and if you plan to visit, you can read this guide to things to do in Besalú .

We also really enjoyed exploring the medieval centers of Santa Pau, Sant Joan les Fonts, and Sant Feliu de Pallerols. Santa Pau is a favorite of ours but we’ve visited all these town multiple times now and each is different and worth a wander. We recommend picking up a tourist walking map for each to help you explore and there are information panels at many of the town highlights.

Most of the towns and villages in Garrotxa have remaining medieval centers or buildings, so you’ll likely find reminders of a medieval past in almost any of them. A couple of other villages we’ve enjoyed exploring were tiny El Mallol and the perched village of Castellfollit de Roca.

Explore La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park

La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park is considered to be one of the best examples of a volcanic landscape in Europe, containing over 20 lava flows and 40 inactive volcanoes. The park is huge and within the park are 26 different natural reserves. A good place to start is to head to make a stop at one of the park’s  information centers  to gather information and learn more about the park.

Whether you are interested in volcanos and geology or not, you’ll likely find plenty to do with this large natural park. Here is a list of  highlighted towns and attractions  within the park that can help get you started. There are a number of hiking, long distance footpaths, and cycle paths that run through parts of this park if you want to actively explore the park.

You can get a bird’s eye view of the volcanoes by taking a hot air  balloon flight , hop on a Segway or electric bike to explore with  Naturatours , examine the basalt lava flows at Sant Joan les Fonts, or hike into the center of a volcano. Learn more about volcanoes at the Volcano Museum , located within the El Parc Nou gardens in Olot.

Two easy volcano hikes are to Montsacopa (short but steep hike from Olot city center) and Santa Margarida (volcano cone with a hermitage in the center). Some other recommended hikes we’ve done in this area are within the La Fageda d’en Jorda (beech forest) and Volcà del Croscat Natural Reserve (can see a cross-section of a volcanic cone here).

Hiking in La Garrotxa

There are a number of walking trails throughout the La Garrotxa region and it is a popular region to hike. There are international, national, regional, and local trails which gives you a lot of hiking opportunities. They vary from challenging long-distance trails to easy and accessible short trails.

One of our favorite places to hike in La Garrotxa is within La Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park as it offers beech forests, nature reserves, and extinct volcanoes. La Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park is a great natural setting offering a larger variety of trail options and here is a  list of walking itineraries  within the park.

Another one of our favorite areas is the Alta Garrotxa Area of Natural Interest and Sant Aniol d’Aguja valley in the northern part of the region. It offers a number of hiking paths, many beginning in Montagut or Saderness. Common things to see along the trails here include gorges, caves, hermitages and churches, and stone bridges.The Alta Garrotxa area is also a popular place for climbers.

If you are planning to do some longer or multi-day hiking trips, the Vías Verdes (literally, “green-ways”) are a series of old railway lines throughout Spain that have been turned into trails for hikers and cyclists. A popular path is the 23.5 km (14.6 miles) section of the Greenways Olot-Girona path that runs from Olot to Les Planes d’Hostoles within La Garrotxa. Many sections of the Greenways are accessible to those with reduced mobility and in wheelchairs.

Some of the  Gran Recorrido network paths (GR; Gran Recorregut in Catalan) run through La Garrotxa. These include GR 1  (Sender Histórico ) , GR 2 (La Jonquera-Aiguafreda), and GR 11 (Spanish Pyrenees).

Although we’ve found most trails to be well-marked in the Pyrenees, we have found that given the number of crisscrossing trails, it can be at times confusing as you may see a rock with 4 or 5 different trail marks. So it is important to know the trail you are following, its markings and signposting (e.g., GR trails have red-and-white symbols and the regional Itinerànnia have yellow markings and signs), and to have a map and proper hiking gear if you are going on longer hikes. We’ve also found some trails, especially those that are more rarely traversed are less well-signed (or signs have been damaged) making them harder to follow.

We have found the following to be helpful hiking websites for La Garrotxa: the Itinerànnia  website , Garrotxa tourism hiking suggestions , and the Traildino website . There is also an Itinerànnia mobile app  you can download. The local tourist visitor centers are also good resources for information on local walks and trails.

For Pyrenees hiking resources, we can recommend this hiking guide , the Cicerone guides to any specific long-distance trails (e.g., GR trails) you plan to do, and the local Itinerànnia hiking maps (if you can’t find it online, you can buy them once in the region).

Cycling in La Garrotxa

The main cycling route in La Garrotxa is the Vías Verde (Greenways)  Carrilet Olot-Girona Narrow Railway Route . It is a 54km (33.5 mile) cycling and hiking route that follows the route of a disused railway line that once connected Girona and Olot. A popular 23.5 km (14.6 miles) section of this route lies entirely within La Garrotxa between Olot and Les Planes d’Hostoles. You can also keep going from Girona via the Girona-Sant Feliu de Guíxols Greenway  all the way to the Mediterranean coast!

Laurence cycled sections of these two Greenways routes as part of a 3-day trip starting in the Pyrenees and ending up in Costa Brava. You can read about his cycling trip experience  to get a sense of some of the things you might see along the way.

There are also several shorter cycle routes in La Garrotxa, the majority of which connect up to the Vías Verde Olot-Girona Narrow Railway Route. There is also a 5 km circular route around Besalú. Many of these cycling routes are suitable for those of all cycling levels. You can check out the main local biking routes here . If you plan to cycle other areas within the province of Girona, I’d check out this info for more about  cycling throughout Girona .

Although you can head out biking all year round in La Garrotxa, the best times are probably Autumn and Spring. Summer is popular but can be hot, and winter means cold weather and the possibility of snow and ice on the trails. So we’d recommend Fall or Spring if you are thinking of planning a cycling trip in this area.

If you are not traveling with your own bike you can easily rent one (including electronic bikes and mountain bikes) in Olot, and many hotels can also arrange bike and helmet rentals. You can also rent a bike in the bigger nearby cities of Barcelona or Girona. Girona is a popular place to rent a bike and return if you plan to follow the Olot-Girona Greenways cycling route to La Garrotxa.

The bike rental companies are also a great place to learn about local trails, get maps, and pick up any biking gear you need. If you are looking to do a self-guided (with luggage transfers) or guided cycling tour, you can check out this list for some options that include La Garrotxa.

Hot Air Ballooning over La Garrotxa

Hot air ballooning is a fun and popular activity in La Garrotxa. Most of the hot air balloon flights last from 1 to 2 hours and fly over the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park. This is a great way to get a bird’s-eye view of the volcanoes and volcanic landscape. Most flights also include breakfast or lunch.

We did this balloon flight with Vol de Coloms that begins just outside of Santa Pau and had a fabulous morning. It started with coffee and watching the balloons inflate, then the ride itself which included great views as well as champagne and snacks, and then after the flights we were treated to a huge buffet brunch of Catalan specialities!

Both group and private hot air balloon flights are available, and transport from Barcelona can also be arranged. You can read about our experience and more info about ballooning in Garrotxa here .

Romanesque Churches of La Garrotxa

Catalonia is filled with old churches, and in La Garrotxa you’ll find a large number of Romanesque churches (10th to 13th century) as well as a few Gothic churches (12th to 16th century). So if you love seeking out picturesque stone churches, many sitting in peaceful settings, you’ll have plenty to discover here.

If you are unfamiliar with Romanesque architecture , a few things almost all the churches in the area have in common is that they are oriented to the east, have an apse, have thick walls, a curved ceiling, a Latin-cross layout, were decorated with frescoes (sometimes on the exterior as well), and have small windows or openings that generally allow in very little light. Many of the medieval churches in La Garrotxa were damaged or destroyed in the 15th century from a series of large earthquakes but a number of them survived or were rebuilt.

La Garrotxa’s most notable monasteries are probably Sant Pere in Besalú and Monestir de Sant Joan les Fonts. Romanesque churches are scattered throughout the region with high concentrations in the La Vall de Bianya area, Alta Garrotxa, and around Beuda. There are many monasteries and churches that are also in ruined states such as Sant Llorenç de Sous in Sadernes,

If you are interested in doing a driving route to see some of the churches, we recommend heading to the La Vall de Bianya area of La Garrotxa. Here you can follow a route to visit 15 Romanesque churches and hermitages and each has an interpretation panel (in Catalan, Spanish, English, and French). You can follow the route by car or bike but some of the final approaches need to be done on foot to reach the churches. The route is designed to take about 3 days if you want to visit them all, but you can just choose to do a section of the drive.

If you plan to drive the Romanesque Church route, you may want to start with a visit to the  Vall de Bianya Landscape Interpretation Center in Sant Salvador de Bianya. I’d recommend calling or emailing the center in advance of your visit as their hours are sometimes sporadic. They can provide local information on the churches (and other attractions) and arrange guided visits of the 12th century Church of Sant Salvador de Bianya which is next to the visitor center.

Most of the Romanesque churches are still active and consecrated, but many are only used for special occasions and holidays. This means that most of these churches are infrequently open and most are kept locked. They are also often on private property, so do be respectful when visiting. If you would like to see the interior of a church that is locked, you can ask at the local tourism office or see if there if there is a local phone number listed on the outside of the church of a person who has the keys.

But even if you don’t seek out any Romanesque churches, you’ll inevitability stumble upon them as you explore the villages, go hiking, and drive around the region. They sit within volcanic craters (Santa Margarida hermitage), are nestled into forested areas (Sant Ponç d’Aulina), perch on the slopes and ridges of mountains (Sant Miquel del Mont), and stand in the center of popular villages (Sant Pere in Besalú). We even stayed in a former rectory (house of a priest) that is now a cozy bed-and-breakfast  La Rectoria next to the Romanesque church of Sant Miquel de Pineda

If you want to learn more about Romanesque churches, I’d consider getting a copy of this guide  which gives details of the Romanesque churches in Spain (a large number in Catalonia). The guide helps give more background on each church as there is little English language information at most of the churches.

Explore the City of Olot

Olot is the capital city of the comarca of Garrotxa, and is the largest city in the region. There are no large cities in La Garrotxa and Olot at about 35,000 people, is as big as they come! More than half of the population of the region live in or near Olot.

Olot offers the largest number of services and is the best place in the region for shopping, markets, modern architecture, museums, and to get a sense of the lives of the local people. It also has the largest range of restaurant and lodging options, offering everything from budget eats and hostels to luxury hotels and Michelin-star dining.

Olot has several museums worth visiting including ones dedicated to volcanoes, art, the making of saint icons, and a historical house museum. Other points of historical and architectural interest include the 18th century Sant Esteve church and the Renaissance Claustre del Carme (a former convent cloister, now houses the Olot School of Art). There are also a number of houses built in the Modernisme (Art Nouveau) style that you can admire in town.

Olot has been an important market town for La Garrotxa since the 13th century. It is still the best place to see, taste, and buy the local products of the region. The  Mercat d’Olot , which is an indoor market (open 6 days a week) sells all kinds of regional produce including meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, breads, spices, and prepared items. Olot also has weekly markets which include both food, craft, and clothing items, including the Monday market and the Rengle Market (every Friday). There are also annual arts and crafts markets held several times a year in the city that feature local products.

The city is surrounded by volcanoes and four volcanoes are located within the city boundaries, with three having hiking paths that you can traverse. If you are interested in learning more about the local volcanoes, we also recommend heading to the green area of Parc Nou outside the city center to visit the Volcano Museum.

A recommended hike from the city center is to follow the path up to the Montsacopa volcano. Here you’ll find the 19th century watchtower and Sant Francesc church, and you can even enjoy a drink or meal at the  El Fortí del Volcà Montsacopa . The restaurant has seasonal hours so do check hours if you want to eat here. The hike here is relatively short (15 to 30 minutes depending on where you start) but steep so we appreciated a lunch break here.

Olot is also the best spot to find fairs, festivals, and performance events in the area. I’d check this calendar for local events that may be happening during your visit or ask at the tourism information office when you arrive.

Stone Bridges of La Garrotxa

There are a lot of surviving stone bridges dating back to the medieval period that were built over the rivers and streams in La Garrotxa and other areas of the Pyrenees.

One of the most well-known is the medieval bridge in Besalú that extends over the Fluvià river. There are documents noting that a Romanesque bridge existed here since at least the 11th century, but the current bridge is much newer and has been restored over time. The picturesque bridge has a unique angular design with seven uneven arcs and two towers.

Another spectacular medieval bridge is the Pont de Llierca located between Montagut and Saderness over the Llierca river. This bridge is believed to date back to the 13th or 14th century. Others of interest include the Pont d’en Valentí near Saderness, the Roman Bridge (a.ka. Pont d’Oix) in Oix, and  the medieval bridge in Sant Joan les Fonts. Most of the old stone bridges are no longer in use and some are hidden behind vegetation or are on old bridle paths. You are likely to come across some if you do some hiking in the region.

Explore the Local History

La Garrotxa is full of history and you only need to dig a little to uncover it. It just depends on your interests. Almost all the towns and villages have walking maps which is a good way to learn about the local history and historical attractions in each town.

If you are interested in Roman history, you may want to consider a hike on the remains of the Capsacosta Roman Road . You’ll find sections of it in La Vall de Bianya, and it is now part of an 8 km hiking route with information panels. Also in this area is the Romanesque churches driving route which takes you to 15 different Romanesque churches in the area.

In the 15th century, an uprising of peasants against the nobility took place in this region led by Francesc de Verntallat .  Remença is the Catalan word for the existing serfdom of that time and the rebellion is often referred to now as the Revolt of the Remences . There are still a few remains from the Revolt of the Remences that exist in this region. A Remences trail has been set up that visits different villages and settings that were associated with the revolt, and can be done via hiking or driving.

Besalú has a long history, and one part of this is the Jewish community that lived in the town from about the 9th century to the 15th century. Building remains include an old synagogue with the only known Jewish purification baths on the Iberian peninsula. You can follow a walking route, or book a guided tour about the Jewish history of Besalú. If you are interested in Jewish history, we’d also recommend visiting the Jewish Quarter and  Museum of Jewish History in Girona

The museums of La Garrotxa are varied and are great places to learn about a particular subject whether it is volcanoes, art, local industries, or sausage. We’ll highlight the museums of this region in the next section. You’ll find the largest concentration of museums in Olot.

La Garrotxa Museums

Although museums are not the main reason most people come to La Garrotxa (since there are so many great ones in Barcelona and Girona!), there are several museums that you may want to consider visiting. The majority of the museums in the region are located in Olot but you’ll also find a few in the smaller towns.

Here is a list of the main museums in the area:

• Museu del Sants (Olot) – The Museum of Saints is a museum and active workshop (El Arte Cristiano) in Olot dedicated to the making of religious statues and iconography. This is a local industry that dates back to the 19th century. Visits are self-guided and include a video introduction, the museum, a room dedicated to sculptor Ramon Amadeu, and an exploration of the workshop where you get to see the manufacturing, decorating, and assembly process of the saint figures. There is also a gift shop and guided tours can be arranged in advance.
• Museu dels Volcans (Olot) – The Volcano Museum is housed in a 19th century villa that focuses on the formation and activity of volcanoes around the world with a focus on the volcanoes around La Garrotxa. Visits begin with a video and then a self-guided visit of the museum. There is also a cafe located here and the museum is set within the Parc Nou gardens.
• Museu Garrotxa (Olot) – This Garrotxa Museum covers local history and art, with a focus on art and artists from the School of Olot. Some exhibitions are permanent and some are temporary.
• Casa Museu Can Trincheria (Olot) – A patrician home built in the 18 th  century and named for the wealthy Trincheria family. The house is richly decorated with period pieces and includes a nice collection of period art and furniture, including a nativity scene with figures by Ramon Amadeu.
• Museu de Miniatures i Microminiatures (Besalú) – Located in a former textile mill, this unusual museum is dedicated to miniatures, containing a large number of works from around the world. Most works are viewed via magnifying glasses to enjoy the intricate artworks that depict shops, landscapes, and events. If you enjoy things that are tiny, delicate, and intricate, this is the museum for you!
• Museo de  Vietnam  (Castellfollit de Roca) – A 6-room museum dedicated to the Vietnam War and special exhibits on Spain’s involvement in the war. One of few museums dedicated to the war outside of the United States and Vietnam. Also sells artifacts from the era.
• Museu de l’Embotit (Castellfollit de Roca) – A museum dedicated to the production of sausage in the area over the past 150 years. Local cured meats and sausages can be sampled and purchased here.

If you only have time for one museum, our favorite museum in this area is the Museu del Sants which offers an interesting look into a unique local industry. But all are worth a stop depending on your interests!

Try the Local Cuisine of La Garrotxa

In La Garrotxa you’ll find all the  Catalan favorites  like pa amb tomàquet (bread and tomato with olive oil), Catalan sausages ( butifarra ),  mar i muntanya  (meat and seafood combo dishes), Crema catalana , and Catalan wines. But you’ll also find local specialities and local produce, and of course many products here are known for being grown in the volcanic soil.

Local produce that is known from this region include buckwheat ( fajol ), onions, haricot beans, kidney beans, maize, yogurt, potatoes, chestnuts, pork, veal, wild mushrooms and truffles, and farro. The white haricot beans ( fesols ) from Santa Pau and buckwheat are two of the better known foods from this region, and there are annual local festivals dedicated to both. A local goat’s cheese called Garrotxa is based on a traditional recipe that was revived in the 1980’s by local cheesemakers and the cheese is now popular in the region and is also exported elsewhere.

Typical dishes include  p atates d’Olot (deep-fried potatoes stuffed with meat),  amanida de peuada  (pig’s trotter salad),  farinetes  (fried buckwheat porridge, sometimes flavored with ratafia),  coca de llardons  (sweet bread-cake with pork scratchings), and the Santa Pau white beans with sausage. Pork sausage is a common product and typical kinds include botfarra ,  piumoc ,  llonganissa , and fuet . Common alcoholic drinks are vermouth and ratafia (an herbal liqueur), as well as Catalan and Spanish wines. You may be able to even find some of the local buckwheat beer.

A great way to try the dishes is to eat in the local restaurants and you will find everything from humble rural inns to the Michelin starred local restaurants of  Les Cols  (Olot) and Ca l’Enric  (Vall de Bianya). You can try the  Cuina Volcànica  restaurants, which are a group of restaurants that use local produce. Many B&B’s and hotels also offer meals which is another way to enjoy the local cooking.

One of our favorite recent meals was at Cal Sastre in Santa Pau. We had Santa Pau white beans with sausage, mushroom filled cannelloni w/ truffle sauce, beef cheek with potatoes and apple, and local Fageda yogurt with cactus. Paired with some Empordà wines, it was a lovely dinner!

If you are staying in accommodation with a kitchen, you can also shop at farmer’s markets or local supermarkets and make your own dishes. The indoor market in Olot ( Mercat d’Olot ) is a great place to buy local produce and products, as well as the weekly markets.

If you enjoy sausage and want to learn more about it, you might consider a visit to Mas Corominas . This is a local family pig farm located within the Volcanic Park, and here you can learn about the Duroc pig breed and the process for making sausage. They do tours with breakfast or an evening meal with a special tasting menu. They also sell their pork products at the Mercat d’Olot.

Other farms that allow pre-arranged public visits include La Fageda (a dairy farm and cooperative) and La Xiquella (a traditional cheese dairy).

Go Mushroom Hunting

The Pyrenees region is known for its wild mushrooms (in fact so is much of Spain and France), and there are hundreds of different species of mushrooms in La Garrotxa. A  study of mushrooms within just the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park from 2000 to 2002 recorded 487 different species of fungi!

There are mushrooms growing in the area year round, but it depends on the type of mushroom you are hunting. Autumn is the most popular season for mushroom hunting. Mushroom hunting is popular in the area and the forested areas are often filled with mushrooms following a good rain. Many of the local boletaires (Catalan for mushroom hunters) have their favorite secret local spots they go to collect mushrooms. Certain types of mushrooms and truffles can bring good money at the market.

Now, if you want to go mushroom hunting, it is not that difficult to find a mushroom. But it is a difficult task to correctly identify them. There are hundreds of species but many are inedible and poisonous. Unless you are familiar with the local mushrooms, we recommend that you don’t pick them or you go with a local guide who knows about mushrooms. There is unfortunately no safe way to distinguish poisonous mushrooms from edible outside of correctly identifying the species as many look very similar.

Some locals, such as the folks at Mas Ombravella do run mushroom hunting activities in the area. They can take you out and teach you to find mushrooms, let you pick mushrooms, and teach you how to cook them.

Hunt for Waterfalls

There are several waterfalls hidden in this region. The primary area is in the southern part of the Garrotxa region around Les Planes d’Hostoles although there are also some pretty ones near Sant Joan les Fonts and in Alta Garrotxa.

Around the town of Les Planes d’Hostoles lies a series of streams, rivers, and waterfalls! These make for great relatively short scenic hikes. There are four main waterfalls in the area, these are: Gorg de la Plana, Gorg del Molí dels Murris, Gorg de Can Poetí, Gorga de Santa Margarida. The waterfalls range from short falls to longer falls, but all are scenic. The most popular is probably Gorg del Molí dels Murris.

If you are limited on time, I’d just pick one or two to visit. All require some walking or hiking to reach and although all paths are considered easy, the paths are uneven and can be muddy/slippery.

There is limited parking and during the day there is a parking area (small parking fee) where you can park and a staff member will give you a map to the different waterfalls.

If you don’t have a hiking map, I’d get directions from either the tourism office or the parking staff before setting out as some sections of the trails are not well marked.

Note that camping, fishing, BBQs, and campfires are prohibited in this natural area. The city council also advises against bathing or swimming here for safety reasons, but many locals do swim here in the summer months. There are no tourist facilities along the trails (e.g., toilets, trash cans, potable water) so come prepared with water and pack out any waste or garbage.

Enjoy a Scenic Drive

La Garrotxa is a great area to drive around as the landscape is dotted with Romanesque churches, rural farmland, and medieval villages. There are volcanic landscapes and views of the Pyrenees to the north. Lots of great places for a scenic drive accompanied perhaps by some hiking or a relaxing picnic.

One of our favorite drives in La Garrotxa is from Castellfollit de la Roca to Beget via Oix along the GIV 5221. It’s a beautiful windy mountain road that goes through rural landscapes and past medieval bridges and small villages until reaching Beget. Beget (part of the El Ripollès region) is a medieval town with a beautiful 12th century Romanesque church (Sant Cristòfol), old bridge, and wonderful old cobbled streets.

If you are driving in winter, just be careful, especially on secondary and mountain roads within the Alta Garrotxa area such as the GIV 5521. The roads can become snow-covered and icy and it is a good idea to have winter tires or snow chains with you in case of a snowstorm (this happened to us actually) if you are planning to drive these roads.

Attend a Festival in La Garrotxa

Attending a local festival or event is always a great way to learn more about the local culture. There are loads of saints’ days, festivals, fairs, and other events in La Garrotxa throughout the year. Festivals in the area celebrate local foods and products, saints and holidays, traditional occupations, and even magic and witchcraft!

Some interesting and unique things you are likely to see at Catalan festivals are  castelleres  (human towers),  correfoc  (group of people running or dancing with fireworks),  gegants  or giants (people walking underneath giant papier-mâché figures),  capgrossos  (people wearing massive papier-mâché heads and costumes), and  sardanes  (traditional circle group dance).

One of the largest festivals in the area is the  Festes de Tura in Olot, which is a 5-day celebration in September that takes place in Olot with concerts, a parade of giants, correfoc , dancing, fireworks, and displays of local products. If you want to see just about every aspect of a typical Catalan festival, this is a good one to attend. Another popular festival for visitors is the Medieval Festival in Besalú which also takes place in September.

Here is a list of some of the festivals that take place in La Garrotxa:

• Fira del Fesol (white bean festival), Santa Pau (January)
• Farro Culinary Fair, Vall de Bianya (February)
• Fira del Fajol (buckwheat festival), Olot (February)
• Jewish Festival, Besalú (March)
• Stonecutters Fair, Castellfollit de Roca (April)
• Feast of Sant Jordi (patron saint of Catalonia), various (April)
• Spring Fair, Olot (May)
• Sardana de Corpus, Olot (June)
• Nit de les Dones d’Aigua (Night of the Water Woman), Sant Joan les Fonts (June)
• Village Festival, Joanetes (July)
• Festival of Sant Jaume, Les Planes d’Hostoles (July)
• Village Festival, Sant Feliu de Palleroles (August)
• Village Festival, Santa Pau (August)
• Medieval Festival, Besalú  (September)
• Festes de Tura, Olot (September)
• International Fair of Witchcraft, Sant Joan les Font (October)
• Ratafia Fair, Besalú (November)
• Christmas Festivals and Markets, various towns (December)

To find out more, you can check out this events calendar for events in Garrotxa, and this events calendar for events throughout the larger province of Girona.

So there you have it, our guide to the La Garrotxa region! If you are looking for more information about this area, check out our Spanish Pyrenees travel guide , our Girona Pyrenees skiing guide , and our guides to the other Girona Pyrenees regions of El Ripollès  and Baixa Cerdanya .

Which of these activities would you enjoy doing in La Garrotxa? Have you visited this region before? If so, we’d love to hear about any experiences or tips you may have! Have a questions about visiting the Catalan Pyrenees or Costa Brava? As always, we welcome your questions and comments. Just leave it in the comments section below, and we’ll be sure to answer it as best as we can!

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Disclosure:  The majority of our lodging, attraction entrances, and transportation in La Garrotxa was provided by the  Patronat de Turisme Costa Brava Girona  in order to experience and write about this region. However, we specifically chose most of the places we visited during our multiple visits to this region. As always, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. You can read more in our  Ethics Code  about how we accept work.

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Sarah Samith Post author

February 22, 2024 at 2:57 am

Loved reading your La Garrotxa blog! Thank you for sharing!

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

February 22, 2024 at 11:46 am

You’re very welcome, and just let us know if you have any questions if you are plalning to trip to Catalonia!

Best, Jessica

Chantal Littleton Post author

September 29, 2022 at 11:23 am

My husband and I will be getting iff a Biking cruise ship in Barcelona on May 29th. We would like to rent a car and stay 4 to 5 nights in the Pyrenees mountains. We are in our mid 70s. We are looking to relax in a mountain setting, to take walks and to visit some interesting villages and sights, enjoy the pure mountain air and nature. We are not opposed to a spa hotel (4star). We do not want to stay in a large town. We will then travel East to visit the Dali museum, maybe stay in a hotel overlooking the sea before heading back to the Barcelona airport. (6 nights trip). We might want to hire a car and driver if you know one. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you so much, Kind regards, Chantal Littleton

October 1, 2022 at 10:53 am

Hi Chantal,

Within Garrotxa, I would suggesting maybe spending time in a village near the La Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park (for volcanic area) or Alta Garrotxa Area of Natural Interest (for more mountaneous terrain). Or you could split your time and choose two different villages to experience the different areas.

But another idea is to head up to a village like Boí or Taull up further northwest (about a 4 hour drive from Barcelona) and spend your time visiting the villages, churches, and hiking in the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. You can easily spend 4-5 peaceful nights in that area.

Another might be to head to the Vall de Nuria for a couple of nights. You could definitely spend 4 days here but it just depends if you would get bored as you are limited to the valley once you get there as you need to take the rack railway or hike out of the valley to visit any villages or anything like that. But you don’t need a car in Nuria at all (in fact you can’t take one into the valley).

Anyway, hope those gives you some ideas. I woud first decide where exactly you want to visit in the region and then you can better narrow down your lodging and transportation.

I don’t know of any specific driver guides in the area but I am sure you could contact the local tourism board to get the names of some local drivers in the area once you know where you want to go and decide whether you want to hire a driver.

Cecilia Brown Post author

November 21, 2019 at 9:22 am

Your site is so much appreciated, especially because it is in English! We are two ladies who want to see the volcanos in Garrotxa but we don’t understand what can be seen on foot. We don’t want to ride in an air balloon etc. What is the best walk (we are pretty fit) and how would we get there? We will stay in Girona for a few days and plan on going to Besalu for at least one day. Thank you very much! Cecilia Brown

November 21, 2019 at 10:10 am

Hi Cecilia,

Glad you are finding our Garrotxa travel guide useful. And yes it is hard to find some of this information in English 😉

So a nice volcano hike, I’d probably recommend the hike through La Fageda d’en Jorda (beech forest) and then to Santa Margarida (volcano cone with a stone church in the center). If you have more time, you can extend the hike to Croscat Volcano as well. Trails in the park are pretty well marked and easy to follow.

If you are not able to get a local bus to the hike, then your only other options are either joining a tour, getting a taxi, or renting a car. There are no train services in the area. The only tours that I know which include visits and hiking in the park to the volcano crater are this one (from Girona) and this one (from Barcelona). The one to Barcelona offers the full longer hike that I recommended and the one from Girona offers the beech forest and volcano crater with the church in center.

Another option is to get a bus to Olot (major town in the region) and do the hike to Montsacopa volcano crater, it is a short but steep hike from the city center. It is not nearly as scenic or long as the one to Santa Margarida but offers some nice views from the top and there is a restaurant (check hours) at the top which offers food and cold drinks.

BTW, I also saw your second message about the tour link, that tour you mentioned is no longer available and was to a different area of Garrotxa (Alta Garratoxa, not around the volcanos).

Hopefully that helps!

November 21, 2019 at 10:29 am

Thank you Jessica, helps a great deal! There is actually TOO MUCH information available on the web about this area and yet they are all unclear as to how to get to the trails, how far and tough they are, and what you would see. I love the idea of the Beech Hike followed by Santa Margarida. We are fit enough to do that. If we get to the beginning of the first hike will it be clear as to where to start on the second hike? Do all these hikes start from the same parking lot area? Thanks SO MUCH AGAIN.

November 24, 2019 at 10:19 am

Yes, as noted you can connect all three places (beech forest and the 2 volcanoes) in the same hike. Or you can break them up (starting at different points) and do one or more. So yes, you could do the beech forest hike and then continue the hike to Santa Margarida volcano (signs are pretty easy to follow) or you can split them up (skipping the hiking in between). Here is a link to one of the hiking itineraries and maps so you can better see the area and local facilities (including parking).

The issue is that there are a number of places you can start these hikes, and it just depends how far you want to go. The full round-trip hike that includes all 3 of the places I mentioned is an estimated 4 hours and 20 minutes if you follow the above itinerary, but you can do sections of the hike if you have less time. Or start hikes from different parking areas. I’d recommend heading to the parking area near the beech forest where the Can Serra information center for the park is located. Here you can get info and also you can start the hike to the beech forest.

You’ll be in the beech forest within a few minutes of the parking lot, it is popular with families as it is an easy hike and you can keep going into the forest and connect to the volcanos or head back when you want. If you continue onto the Santa Margarida, it is a little over 2 hours. The descent into the volcano crater here takes another 20 minutes.

If you are not driving or doing a tour, you could have a taxi drop you off at the Can Serra/Fageda d’en Jordà (beech forest) parking area and then have a taxi pick you up at the Santa Margarida/Font de Collelldamunt parking area. I’d estimate a little over 3 hours if you do that section of the hike. You could also bring a picnic and stop to have it along the way and make a full morning or afternoon out of it.

liad Post author

August 29, 2019 at 3:07 pm

Thank you so much for your guide. It has made us fall in love with La Garrotxa and we plan to include a visit there next month when we travel to Spain. We are going to travel Spain using public transportation. But we thought that because we have just a few days to spend in the area we might rent a car in Girona. We are planning on going to some of the medieval villages and the volcanic park with some light hiking. My question is about the roads in the area. Are they on steep hill sides? Are the very narrow?

August 29, 2019 at 6:03 pm

So happy to hear that you are planning to spend some time in the La Garrotxa region. Yes, public transportation is possible to explore the region, but it is not the best due to the lack of train service. So you’d have to rely almost solely on local buses here.

So yes, I’d recommend if you have only 2 or 3 days to either drive yourself or join a guided tour. It is easy to rent a car in Girona and there are a few day tours that operate from Girona. Either option would allow you to see more than relying on buses.

Some roads are narrow but most are not steep in this area because it is just outside the mountain. The exception is some of the roads in the Alta Garrotxa (northern part of the region). For example the GIV 5221 is a windy and steep road, so I would avoid that one if you are concerned about windy or steep roads.

Given what you want to see, you might be able to do it all by joining a day tour or two so you can check out those as well. For example this one includes hiking at the Volcanic Park, waterfalls, medieval village of Santa Pau, and Banyoles lake. And this small group tour visits Castellfollit de la Roca, Besalú, and Banyoles. You could actually do both as it looks like they only overlap on visits to Banyoles.

Hope that helps and wishing you a wonderful trip to Spain next month! Jessica

Elizabeth Audigier Post author

July 30, 2019 at 9:58 am

Great guide. Really helpful. I am staying in Olot in late September. But I hate being hot. Please could you recommend some wild swimming spots for me to cool down in? I wont jump in but otherwise I am a strong regular swimmer. Thank you, Lis

July 31, 2019 at 3:20 am

Hi Elizabeth, Many of the spots and waterfalls we have been to allow picnicking but not swimming or bathing, so you may want to ask once you are there about local swimming options. But you can check out this local list of towns with shady picnic spots, bathing pools, municipal pools, caves, and natural springs: http://en.turismegarrotxa.com/proposals-and-excursions/keeping-cool-in-la-garrotxa-21/ Olot does have a municipal swimming pool as well. Hope that helps, Jessica

Agnes Fazekas Post author

June 25, 2019 at 4:34 am

Hello, wonderfully gathered information. I am planning to visit the La-garrotxa part of the Pyrenees, and planning hiking. What do you think what is the best location to ave as a center point. From Besalu itineraries are easily accessible?

I am really interested in the Vulcan national park, but thirsty for untouched nature and forest silence. That park is not touristic?

Thanks in advance:

June 25, 2019 at 6:59 am

Hi Agnes, For the Volcano Park, it is about a 30 minute drive from Besalu. Besalu is a great scenic medieval town but it gets a lot of visitors and is probably the most visited town in the area. For a place that is closer to the Volcano Park, you might try Olot which has more lodging options. But if you are looking for a smaller village, you might try Santa Pau as well but again it can be busy with visitors.

The Volcano Park is scenic, diverse, and interesting, but it is a popular place for locals and tourists to walk and hike so it can get busy, especially if the weather is nice. Generally the easier and shorter the trail, the more people will be on it.

If you are looking for more wild and less busy places in Garrotxa, you might consider also hiking up in the Alta Garrotxa area where there are several longer trails there you could try and its gets fewer visitors. It is also a popular place with climbers. When we’ve hiked here, we’ve usually just passed a few other hikers on the same trails as us.

You can also join a guided trekking tour to this area such as this one . It might be a good way to get a good introduction to this area and the guide can suggest more trails for you to tackle on your own the following days.

Hope that helps! Jessica

Justine Post author

November 7, 2018 at 10:44 pm

I’ve been wanting to visit La Garrotxa for a few months now. I live in Barcelona and we were considering going in August just to avoid the beaches…but I realized it would be HOTTER in this region. So hopefully go this month – thanks for the info!

November 9, 2018 at 1:25 am

Hi Justine, It can be hot in the region in August; however, it is not normally as hot in La Garrotxa as it will be along the coast and beaches, The higher altitudes and hills and mountains of the Pyrenees help keep it cooler than at the beaches. There are also more trees and wooded areas.

Autumn can be a nice time to visit and there should be some festivals happening as well – autumn can be a popular time for cycling and hiking given the cooler temps. If you have flexibility, I’d check the weather forecast before planning your trip since you are so close. Best, Jessica

Rammy Post author

October 18, 2018 at 7:45 am

Good to see a La Garrotxa travel guide and more about the volcanic Catalonia Spain area. Not much out there and this is super helpful as we plan a trip throughout Spain and Andorra and want to spend time in Spanish Pyrenees. Thank you for sharing with us.

Quick question, we have limited time but one of the places we really want to visit is Girona. Have you been and if can we see it easily in one day or would you recommend 2?

October 19, 2018 at 4:00 pm

Hi Rammy, So glad you enjoyed our La Garrotxa travel guide. Girona is a wonderful town, a bit south of the La Garrotxa region in Catalonia. It has a well-preserved medieval center, great restaurants, a lively atmosphere, lots of shops, a pretty river, and lots of good museums. You can see many of the highlights of Girona in one day but I would definitely recommend spending the night if you can so you have two days to explore here as there is lots to see and do. We’ve been here several times and always discover a new museum, historical attraction, or interesting restaurant. Hope that helps! Jessica

William R. Parks Post author

October 11, 2018 at 6:02 am

This is one of the most detailed guides for Catalonia have ever read. This area is packed with history and magnificent sights.

October 11, 2018 at 10:45 am

Hi William, Thanks so much for leaving a comment and so happy you found our guide to La Garrotxa useful, it is certainly a really great area of Catalonia to explore! Best, Jessica

David Post author

September 14, 2018 at 1:24 am

It’s slowly dawning on me just how much there is to see in Catalonia. Girona was already on my list but La Garrotxa looks awesome as well. Castellfolit de Roca in particular seems like the perfect place for me. Thanks for sharing.

September 14, 2018 at 9:43 am

Hi David, Yes, I think most people know Catalonia mainly for Barcelona, the coast, and Gaudi & Dali, but there is so much else to do and see here. From sea to mountains, medieval villages, stunning beaches, Romanesque churches, interesting museums, skiing, a couple of the world’s top-rated restaurants, a growing wine industry, and several UNESCO sites – there’s a lot more to this region than most people think! Hope you get a chance to explore and yes Castellfollit de Roca enjoys a very spectacular perched spot! Best, Jessica

Allison Ballantine Post author

September 12, 2018 at 7:36 pm

What an incredibly helpful post! I am planning a trip for my teenage daughters and husband (who is disabled but loves history.) We are able to go at the end of March – should I be worried about ice or snow on sidewalks at this time of year? Also, my girls just love wandering around small towns through old beautiful streets. If you had to pick one town as a base camp with this as a goal, which would you pick? (We are hoping to stay with a host at a B&B for the opportunities to understand the local world, it looks like the one you suggest in Olot is booked – other thoughts?)

September 13, 2018 at 4:19 am

Hi Allison,

La Garrotxa is a great place to get away and many places where you daughter can explore medieval streets and your husband can get his daily dose of history!

In March, yes, there is a chance of ice and/or snow on the roads/streets so you will want to keep that in mind and dress warm with good shoes. I’d also note that in some places, the smaller villages, there are not so many sidewalks. So do expect to have to walk on uneven surfaces and there are some steeper streets. If your husband is in a wheelchair or has difficulty getting around, I don’t think you’ll have too much of an issue, but you may need to take it slow. I’d also note that not all places are accessible for wheelchair users/those with reduced physical mobility, so if that is a concern I’d check ahead in terms of museums and/or accommodation.

I think in terms of medieval villages you can wander around within walking distance, I’d probably choose your base in Santa Pau or Besalu, as these are the two most stunning and well-preserved of the villages that have that medieval feel. Your daughters could then wander around as much as they wish. Castellfollit de Roca may also be a good option, its smaller but definitely has lots of medieval charm.

Olot is a good base as well but is more modern and larger, so a good place to base if you’d rather have more services (e.g., markets, banks, restaurants). But almost everything is within a short driving distance of medieval villages and you are more likely to find B&B’s and guesthouses outside the more popular towns.

Some more B&B and pension accommodation options that may be a fit:

-In Santa Pau there is this B&B (just not sure how much English the hosts speak). Although not a B&B, Cal Sastre is a boutique hotel that is very appealing and has great reviews from families. -This guesthouse is in Castellfollit de Roca. – Hostal Mont-Rock – This guesthouse is located about a 5 minute walk from the medieval perched village of Castellfollit de Roca. Has good reviews and sounds like a good simple, family-friendly option. -There is also this family-run pension in Sant Joan les Fonts.

If you are exploring outside La Garrotxa as well, I’d recommend Ripoll (history) for the monastery and Ethnographic Museum, Vic (medieval village), and Girona (medieval center and walls, history, museums). All are also possible as day trips from La Garrotxa.

Lolo Post author

September 10, 2018 at 2:19 am

What a beautiful region you often find yourself in! Those clifftop villages are stunning! For not knowing of any travel guides for this region, this is likely as good as it’s gonna get! This guide is thoroughly detailed! Pinned for later!

September 10, 2018 at 4:22 am

Hi Lolo, Thanks so much for the kind words and glad you enjoyed our guide to the La Garrotxa region! Yes, it is difficult to find detailed guides to many parts of Catalonia that are in English which is the main reason we decided to write our guides to the Girona Pyrenees regions of Garrotxa, Ripolles, and Baixa Cerdanya. We have visited these areas now several times and though it was about time 😉 Hopefully these will help future travelers enjoy these areas as much as we have. Best, Jessica

Anna Post author

September 9, 2018 at 1:52 am

Besalu has been on my Spanish travel bucket list for a while – but I had no idea there were so many cool places in the area to visit. For instance, I’ve never even heard of La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park – and I live in Valencian Community which is quite close LOL Thanks for sharing all these ideas – saved for my future trips!

September 9, 2018 at 3:47 am

Hi Anna, Yes, out of the region, pretty Besalu get lots of visitors and is very well promoted. Its a really well-preserved town with lots of history, but there are loads of other places to visit in La Garrotxa as well. Living in Valencia, you probably know that it is an area of Spain that does share a lot of things in common with Catalonia as some of the traditions and foods are very similar (for example I think the human towers originated in Valencia as part of religious ceremonies).

I’d also recommend El Ripolles area as well, there are lots of good stops and hiking there as well if you are making a trip to the area 😉 Best, Jessica

Anda Post author

September 8, 2018 at 7:52 pm

We’ve been to Costa Brava a few years ago for one of the TBEX meetings. We didn’t schedule too much time there, as we didn’t know what to expect. Unfortunately it was too late to change our schedule after we discovered how beautiful this area was, but we promised ourselves to return someday. I’m glad you gave me some ideas about other things to do while visiting Catalonia. We love mushroom hunting and used to do it all the time when we lived in Europe.

September 9, 2018 at 3:43 am

Hi Anda, Yes, you should definitely come back to visit some day. There is a lot to do in the Costa Brava region as well as the Girona Pyrenees (all part of the province of Girona). We like the coast and beaches, but almost always also plan some time inland in the more mountain area, there lots of things to do there as well and fewer people. But Catalonia in general has lots more as well, we have only really explore the Girona and Barcelona areas in depth but would love to explore the rest of the area more in depth! Best, Jessica

Anisa Post author

September 8, 2018 at 9:14 am

It looks like a lovely area. I have been longing to do a hot air balloon ride so that would be on top of my list. Then I would also like to have some time for hiking.

September 10, 2018 at 6:54 pm

Hi Anisa, Yes, this is a great place on a clear day for a balloon ride as you can see the volcanos, the towns, and the mountains – we got lucky with the weather when we went 🙂 Best, Jessica

Cynthia F Post author

September 5, 2018 at 5:15 pm

Hello. I just wanted to say how thorough and helpful your guide to the La Garrotxa region is – I was having a lot of trouble finding the info I was looking for online in English and this puts everything in one place. Looking forward to cycling and seeing some of the pretty villages here! Cindy

September 7, 2018 at 4:21 pm

Hi Cynthia, Glad you found our Garrotxa guide useful and do let us know if you have any further questions as you plan your trip. Wishing you wonder trip to Catalonia! Best, Jessica

Seana Turner Post author

September 5, 2018 at 7:21 am

Whenever I read your posts I am more and more convinced that there is just more to see than there is time/money to see it! I didn’t get to Catalonia when we were in Spain, but I’m sure we will go back. Since I don’t feel very confident driving in Europe, I think I would probably vote for the guided tour option. There is something very appealing about having someone else take all the responsibility:) I love that bridge, and that the hot air balloons. I’d also be up the shorter hike to the extinct volcano… extinct being the key word!

September 6, 2018 at 10:13 am

Hi Seana, Yes, I think that is definitely true! The more we travel, the more we know there are so many places we will never have the time to see.

There are a number of guided day tours from both Barcelona and Girona to Garrotxa, making it easy to see some of the highlights and even go hiking/ballooning without needing a car or having to use public transport.

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Itineraris i rutes. Emociona't a la Garrotxa!

• Itineraris i rutes

Necessites o prefereixes que t'acompanyi un guia? Consulta la llista d'empreses de guiatges i educació ambiental .

Circuit de Besalú. Ruta 1 Garrotxa

Una ruta per conèixer el romànic de Beuda, que pots completar visitant el nucli de Besalú.

Castellfollit-Begudà-Sant Joan les Fonts. Ruta 2 Garrotxa

Aquesta ruta està pensada per fer en dues parts, ja que el recorregut total té uns 20 km. Hi ha dos punts d’inici, un a Castellfollit i l’altre a Sant Joan les Fonts.

El mirador de la Vall d'en Bas i la Garrotxa. Ruta 3 Garrotxa

Aquesta és una ruta energètica, ja que supera un bon desnivell en poca distància, però en canvi, permet gaudir de dos indrets molt singulars: l’impressionant Salt del Sallent i l’ermita de Santa Magdalena.

Per l'altiplà del Collsacabra. Ruta 4 Garrotxa

Aquesta ruta segueix una part del camí ral entre Vic i Olot, una via medieval que uneix aquestes dues ciutats i que sembla que fou condicionada amb la finalitat de proveir de fusta a la ciutat de Barcelona.

Els camins dels carlins. Ruta 6 Garrotxa

Des d'Olot a Riudaura passant per la Pinya. Aquesta ruta està pensada per fer en un sol sentit, i per tant caldrà preveure la tornada des de Riudaura amb transport públic o en cotxe propi.

Fins a l'antic fortificat dels comtes de Besalú: Dosquers. Ruta 7 Garrotxa

Un camí molt planer que ens portarà fins a les restes de l’antic castell i l’església dedicada a Sant Martí, també recomanable per fer en bicicleta.

L'Alta Garrotxa de Vayreda. Ruta 8 Garrotxa

La Punyalada ens ofereix una oportunitat única per descobrir l’Alta Garrotxa. Els racons on Marian Vayreda va situar els protagonistes de la seva cèlebre novel·la són escenari d’aquesta ruta.

Argelaguer-Mare de Déu del Guilar. Ruta 1 Argelaguer

L'ermita de la Mare de Déu del Guilar va ser fundada pel cavaller Simó de Balbs el 1334 com a capella del castell d'aquest nom.

Ruta d'en Garrell. Ruta 2 Argelaguer

L’obra d’en Garrell aprofita l’entorn i el material reciclat, creant diferents espais i obres entre la muntanya, la riera i el riu Fluvià.

Ruta de la tercera carlinada. Ruta 3 Argelaguer

Argelaguer fou assaltada a l’estiu de 1873 pels carlins, els quals mataren al regidor Sebastià Costa. En aquesta ruta descobrireu els escenaris de la darrera carlinada

Ruta del riu. Ruta 4 Argelaguer

Ruta fins a l’aguait d'ocells on, amb sort, podrem veure alguns exemplars d’avifauna com l’ànec collverd , el bernat pescaire o el martinet blanc. I, si tenim sort, podrem veure alguna llúdriga, reintroduïda a finals dels anys 90 al riu Fluvià.

Itinerari El Castellot de Beuda. Ruta 1 Beuda

Ruta força assequible fins al Castellot, una antiga construcció de vigilància situada 220 metres per sobre de Beuda.

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Benvinguts al Consorci de l'Alta Garrotxa

El Consorci de l’Alta Garrotxa és un ens consorciat que gestiona l’Espai Natural Protegit de l’ Alta Garrotxa . El seu objectiu és la conservació, la revalorització i la gestió integral d’aquest espai natural, des de diferents àmbits.

Descobreix l’Alta Garrotxa: Un Vídeo Informatiu Amb la Col·laboració de la Diputació de Girona

Amb l’arribada de la nova temporada, us presentem un vídeo  per  apropar tant la població local com els visitants a l’Espai Natural Protegit de l’Alta Garrotxa. A través d’aquesta iniciativa, volem compartir els valors,

Inici de la regulació de l’accés motoritzat a la pista de Sadernes

De la mateixa manera que els darrers anys, demà divendres 1 de març s’inicia la regulació de l’accés motoritzat a la pista de Sadernes a la Vall del Riu i la Muntada, i que

Resum anual del nombre de visitants a Sadernes i Sant Aniol durant el 2023

Arrel de la popularització dels espais naturals entre la societat dels darrers anys, ha augmentat notablement el nombre de visitants i la freqüentació a l’Espai Natural Protegit de l’Alta Garrotxa. Amb l’objectiu de gestionar

Neix Visites amb Valors, el programa d’activitats ecoturístiques de la Garrotxa

Visites amb valors és un nou programa d’activitats ecoturístiques anual, a través de les quals els habitants de la Garrotxa i els seus visitants podran conèixer els valors singulars de la Garrotxa com per exemple

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• Galetes analítiques

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Activeu primer les galetes estrictament necessàries perquè puguem desar les preferències!

Excursió pels volcans de la Garrotxa

Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de La Garrotxa

* Recomanem fer la ruta entre setmana (per evitar aglomeracions i esperes).

Ruta guiada als volcans de la Garrotxa

     Passejada guiada per conèixer el complex  volcànic de la Garrotxa i el seu millor representat: el volcà del Croscat. Des de la vall d’en Bas ens traslladarem amb cotxes particulars fins al mirador dels volcans des d’on gaudirem de  vistes de la cubeta olotina, la zona volcànica, la fageda d’en Jordà i d’una extensa panoràmica que abraça des de la serralada Transversal, l’Alta Garrotxa, els  Pirineus orientals, el massís del Canigó i fins al mar Mediterrani.

A continuació, ens dirigirem cap a Santa Pau per tal de visitar el volcà del Croscat. Amb aquest itinerari al Croscat, aprendrem i veurem l’interior d’un volcà; com es va formar i quan; quin tipus de roques el formen; què és un llac de barratge, un tossol, una bomba, una escòria i un lapil.li; quin és l’origen del Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa i moltes més curiositats sobre els volcans i les erupcions volcàniques.

      El Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa engloba una extensa àrea protegida dins la comarca de la Garrotxa que comprèn part de 11 municipis on hi viuen més de 33.000 persones i on destaca la ciutat d’Olot. La zona inclou els volcans més joves i amb un millor estat de conservació de la Península Ibèrica i és una de les zones volcàniques més importants de l'Europa continental. En total s’han identificat més d’una quarantena de volcans, una vintena de colades  de lava i nombrosos afloraments piroclàstics .

Punts d'interès:

Visitarem l’interior del volcà del Croscat

Coneixerem la singularitat de la fageda d’en Jordà

Gaudirem de la vista panoràmica dels volcans

Descobrirem un munt de curiositats del complex volcànic de la Garrotxa

Dades pràctiques

Distància: 5 km

Desnivell: +/- 135 m

Temps efectiu caminant:  2:15h

Durada prevista: 4:00 h (comptant parades i desplaçaments amb cotxe).

Exigència física:  Fàcil.  Ruta apta per a persones amb escassa preparació física i famílies amb nens.

Dificultat tècnica:  cap. La major part de l’itinerari transcorre per camins amples i planers, a excepció d’un curt tram amb un lleugera pujada i per camí irregular.

Hora i punt de trobada: *A CONCRETAR EN EL MOMENT DE FER LA INSCRIPCIÓ

Hora i lloc de finalització: 13:30h a l’aparcament de Santa Margarida, a Santa Pau.

Època:  Primavera, tardor i hivern

Cal portar roba còmoda i adequada per l’època de l’any i l’activitat

Botes o vambes amb sola adherent

Esmorzar o alguna cosa per picar,  i aigua suficient

Es recomana fer la ruta preferiblement entre setmana (per evitar aglomeracions  i esperes).

​ Per accedir a l’inici de l’itinerari és necessari disposar de cotxe particular (o contractar un servei de taxi).

Accés al punt d’Inici: des de les Preses ens dirigirem  amb cotxe particular per una carretera estreta fins al mirador dels volcans (aprox. uns 0:20 h) i posteriorment, a l’aparcament de Santa Margarida (aprox. 0:30 h.)

Número de participants: mínim 4 i màxim 15 (grups més nombrosos consultar disponibilitat i preus).

El preu inclou:

servei de guiatge

21% IVA 

assegurança d’accidents

reportatge fotogràfic

Inscripcions:

AQUÍ ,  o per telèfon o WhatsApp al 628911619 o email: [email protected]

Cal reservar amb la màxima antelació per tal de garantir la disponibilitat de plaça

Cal inscriure's i omplir el contracte de serveis  que se us enviarà posteriorment per email abans del dia de la sortida.  

*LA INSCRIPCIÓ SERÀ EFECTIVA DESPRÉS D'HAVER REBUT EL COMPROBANT DE PAGAMENT via WhatsApp o email .

Més informació:

"Preguntes freqüents"  

"Dificultat de les rutes"

L'arcada de Fares, Besalú (la Garrotxa)

Restaurant Vertisol, les Preses

Potser també et pot interessar:

Grup de Recerca Botànica de Muntanya i Natura  

Pròximes rutes  

Excursions entre setmana

Perfil altitudinal de la ruta

Camping La soleia d'Oix

We are a small mountain campsite located in the Area of Natural Interest of the Alta Garrotxa, an ideal place to enjoy a peaceful stay in contact with nature. The Alta Garrotxa offers a wide range of mountain activities, among which we can highlight hiking, mountain biking, climbing and horse riding.

We are at your disposal to answer any question you wish to make and, if you want to visit us, we will be happy to receive you.

Camping and lodgings

Discover all our accommodation options, rural hotel, the alta garrotxa offers a wide range of mountain activities:.

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Itinerarios y rutas. ¡Emociónate en la Garrotxa!

• Itinerarios y rutas

¿Necesitas o prefieres que te acompañe un guía? Consulta la lista de empresas de guiajes y educación ambiental .

Circuito de Besalú. Ruta 1 Garrotxa

Una ruta para conocer el románico de Beuda, que puedes completar visitando el núcleo de Besalú.

Castellfollit-Begudà-Sant Joan les Fonts. Ruta 2 Garrotxa

Esta ruta está pensada para hacerla en dos partes ya que el recorridototal es de 20 km. Hay dos puntos iniciales, uno en Castellfollit y el otro en Sant Joan les Fonts.

El mirador de la Vall d’en Bas y la Garrotxa. Ruta 3 Garrotxa

Esta es una ruta energética, ya que supera un buen desnivel en poca distancia, pero en cambio, permite disfrutar de dos lugares muy singulares: el impresionante Salt del Sallent y la ermita de Santa Magdalena.

Por la meseta del Collsacabra. Ruta 4 Garrotxa

Esta ruta sigue una parte del camino ral entre Vic i Olot, una vía medieval que une estas dos ciudades y que parece que fue acondicionada con la finalidad de proveer madera a la ciudad de Barcelona.

Los caminos de los carlins. Ruta 6 Garrotxa

Esta ruta está pensada para seguirla en un solo sentido, se tendrá que pensar en la vuelta en transporte público o coche propio.

Hasta el antiguo fortificado de los condes de Besalú: Dosquers. Ruta 7 Garrotxa

Un camino muy llano que nos llevará hasta los restos del antiguo Castillo y la iglesia dedicada a Sant Martí, también recomendable para hacer en bicicleta.

La Alta Garrotxa de Vayreda. Ruta 8 Garrotxa

La Puñalada nos ofrece una oportunidad única para descubrir la Alta Garrotxa. Los rincones donde Marià Vayreda situó a los protagonistas de su célebre novela son ahora el escenario de una ruta.

Argelaguer-Mare de Déu del Guilar. Ruta 1 Argelaguer

La ermita de la Virgen del Guilar fue fundada por el caballero Simó de Balbs en 1334, como cura del castillo de este nombre. .

Ruta de Garrell. Ruta 2 Argelaguer

La obra de Garrell aprovecha el entorno y el material reciclado, creando diferentes espacios y obras entre la montaña, el arroyo y el río Fluvià.

Ruta de la tercera carlinada. Ruta 3 Argelaguer

Argelaguer fue asaltada en verano de 1873 por los carlins, que mataron al concejal Sebastià Costa. En esta ruta podéis descubrir los escenarios de la última carlinada.

Ruta del río.Ruta 4 Argelaguer

Ruta al mirador de fauna desde donde, con suerte, podremos ver ejemplares de avifauna como el ánade real, garza real o la garceta. Si tenemos suerte, también podremos ver algún ejemplar de nutria, reintroducida a finales de los años 90 en el río Fluvià.

Itinerario El Castellot de Beuda. Ruta 1 Beuda

Ruta bastante asequible hasta el Castellot, una antigua construcción de vigilancia situada 220 metros por encima de Beuda.

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• La Garrotxa
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• La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park
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Territory and Nature

La Garrotxa is in the north of Catalonia, at the high basin of the river Fluvià, the Muga estuary, the river Brugent and the Llémena river bed.

In La Garrotxa there are restaurants for all tastes, for lovers of fine cuisine and local products, indigenous and traditional.

Artistic expression shows itself in every corner of La Garrotxa.

Inclusive tourism

In La Garrotxa there is a wide range of inclusive activities: routes, accommodation, restaurants...

Sports tourism

La Garrotxa has different facilities and itineraries for doing sports training, stays and concentrations.

Eco-tourism

Be ecotourist! In La Garrotxa there are plenty of companies that apply measures to ensure the sustainability of their activities.

La Garrotxa, the land of volcanos

La Garrotxa provides the opportunity to enjoy yourself in the open air, a chance to relax in charming farmhouse accommodation or simply the delights of a good meal. La Garrotxa lies landlocked in  Girona region, in north-east Catalonia : for the most part the land is under 600 m a.s.l., although its highest peaks top the 1,500 m mark.

Two totally different types of landscapes can be enjoyed in La Garrotxa. On the one hand, over 40 volcanoes and numerous lava flows cover much of the southern half of the comarca and give rise to a rolling landscape – today protected by the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park – lacking any major relief features. To the north of the river Fluvià, however, the landscape changes radically. Abrupt cliffs and narrow gorges herald the entrance to the Alta Garrotxa , an area that has been declared an Area of Natural Interest; in the west of the comarca the areas of the mountains of Collsacabra and Puigsacalm have likewise been protected as Areas of Natural Interest.

The flat Bas, Hostoles and Bianya valleys provide a change from the encircling mountains, but are surrounded by some of the thickest and most extensive forests in Catalonia. The sunniest slopes are covered by evergreen holm oaks, whilst elsewhere there are significant downy oak forests – with a few stands of pedunculate oak around Olot – and beech forests in the coolest, most humid corners of the comarca.

You'll find all this information in the guide "Tot Garrotxa " .

Tot Garrotxa guide

More information

Routes and excursions TOP

GR 2 - La Jonquera to Aiguafreda

This GR runs from La Jonquera to Aiguafreda through medieval towns and villages such as Besalú and Santa Pau, and natural protected areas including La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone and Montseny natural parks, and the Collsacabra, Savassona and Tavertet Cliffs.

Across the Collsacabra plateau. Route 4 Garrotxa

This route follows part of the old ‘Royal Road’, a medieval trail joining these two cities that was probably paved to be able to transport timber to Barcelona to construct a fleet for the king.

Itinéraire masos de ponent. Ruta 6 Beuda

Easy walk around the most rural area of Beuda.

Sant Feliu - coll d'Úria - La Salut. Natural Park route 28

Itinerary for the Health Shadow, with a significant drop, but with a reward in the form of panoramic views over the Brugent river valley and much of the Natural Park.

Parc de Pedra Tosca. Route Olot 4

This easy walk is perfect for the whole family. You pass along the Carrilet, the former train line to Girona that acts as a reminder of Olot’s rich industrial past. Further on you visit El Parc de Pedra Tosca.

Can Poeti bathing pool. Route 2 Les Planes d'Hostoles

Les Planes d’Hostoles is well known for its natural bathing pools that have been used in numerous films and adverts. This is one of four suggestions.

Torre de Murrià route. Route 5 Les Preses

Torre de Murrià is a Roman watchtower that was converted into a signalling tower during the Carline Wars. It is reasonably well conserved and its moat and walls can still be seen.

Third carlinada route. Route 3 Argelaguer

In summer 1873 the Carlines besieged Argelaguer and killed the local councillor Sebastià Costa. This route will take you to the sites of some of the episodes of the final Carline War.

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