Tot Garrotxa guide 22 ENG

Edition No. 22 · 1€ TURISME GARROTXA

turismegarrotxa.com

the land of volcanoes ENG

Welcome to La Garrotxa, the volcano district where you can take part in activities in the heart of nature, relax in charming accommodation and enjoy good food.

Fall in love with the most well-preserved volcanic area of the Iberian Peninsula as you walk among volcanoes, lava flows and dry-stone walls. All just a stone’s throw from the city.

summary

La Garrotxa, the land of dormant volcanoes, charming villages, silent forests, activities in the heart of nature, lovely accommodation and delicious food.

How to reach us Sustainable mobility Volcanoes and forests Culture Cuisine The products Medieval route On the trail of the Remences Art Nouveau in La Garrotxa Keeping cool in La Garrotxa Summits of La Garrotxa Charming villages

26 28 34 36

Agenda Service guide 27 points of interest in La Garrotxa The ten essences of Olot

38 40 41 42 44 46 48

Olot and its volcanoes Olot, an explosion of culture Shopping in Olot RCR Arquitectes route From Oix to Vall del Bac The Capsacosta roman road The romanesque churches of la Vall de Bianya Sant Joan les Fonts, from the lava flows to the medieval heritage The basalt cliff of Castellfollit de la Roca The Way of Saint James Jewish Besalú The romanesque churches of Maià de Montcal and Beuda Santa Pau, history among volcanoes Les Preses, dry-stone country La Vall d’en Bas, a mosaic of landscapes The d’Hostoles Valley.

Sant Feliu de Pallerols, volcanoes and historic centre The d’Hostoles Valley.

Pools surrounded by history

50 52 53 54 56 58 60 62 64 66

Welcome

04 05 08 11 12 13 14 16 18 20 22 24

We hope this guide provides you with an insight into the wealth of nature, countryside, culture, history and cuisine in La Garrotxa, as well as the activities, accommodation and food, a heritage of great value and diversity that is suitable for everyone.

Prepare to be surprised!

turismegarrotxa.com

With the support of:

Editor: TURISME GARROTXA - Associació la Garrotxa Terra d’Acolliment Turístic.

Tel. 972 27 16 00 - info@turismegarrotxa.com - www.turismegarrotxa.com.

Pictures: Turisme Garrotxa, Itinerànnia, Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa, Consorci de l’Alta Garrotxa, ajuntaments de la Garrotxa, Patronat de Turisme Costa Brava Girona, Consorci de les Vies Verdes de Girona, Vol de Coloms, Mas la Coromina, Quim Roca - Arxiu d’Imatges d’Olot, Associació d’Hostaleria de la Garrotxa, Centre logístic del Bicicarril, Martí Albesa, Mas Garganta, La Xiquella, formatges i turisme rural, La Fageda Fundació. Texts: Anna Diago, Jordi Ginabreda, Turisme Garrotxa i Taula de Tècnics de Turisme de la Garrotxa • Design and layout: Ocre disseny • Printing: Jiménez Godoy • Correcció: Servei de Català d’Olot-la Garrotxa • Translations: Turisme Garrotxa, Departament de Territori i Sostenibilitat de la Generalitat de Catalunya. Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa • Advertising: Turisme Garrotxa. Dip. Legal: Gi 1763-2016

Cover photo: Santa Margarida volcano (Santa Pau)

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How to reach us La Garrotxa has good road connections with Europe and the Iberian Peninsula, and is relatively close to large railway stations and airports.

LA GARROTXA

CATALUNYA

RIPOLL

N-260 A-26

FIGUERES

N-260 C-66

OLOT

N-260

BANYOLES GIRONA GI-524

Tourist Offices La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park

C-37

BANYOLES GIRONA

C-63

VIC

Alta Garrotxa Area of Natural Interest Protected natural area

SANTA COLOMA DE FARNERS

Volcanoes

Girona Costa Brava 65 km Girona 48 km

OLOT

Vic 40 km Barcelona El Prat 137 km

Figueres 39 km

Sustainable mobility

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Move around La Garrotxa in an environment-friendly way.

You have several options:

On foot Itinerànnia

La Garrotxa has Itinerànnia, a large network of footpaths that is also present in El Ripollès and l’Alt Empordà and that enables you to walk from one village to another along historic footpaths.

The basic network is marked by yellow signposts. The signs on the basic network include a red dot, whereas the routes have a green dot on them.

You can create your own route on itinerannia.net, and you can consult all the specifically proposed routes and all their information: distance, time taken, profile of the route and an option to download the track and share it. www.itinerannia.net

Tracking mark

Turn right

Turn left

Wrong path

Download the APP and discover the best routes

Pont del Llierca (Tortellà)

Routes in La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park

La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park includes several routes marked by cream-coloured signposts with a burgundy border. These routes run through some of the areas of most interest with regard to volcanoes, botany and landscape in La Garrotxa. Most are of a medium level of difficulty, whereas others are very easy.

Routes by the Consorci de l’Alta Garrotxa

The Consorci de l’Alta Garrotxa (Alta Garrotxa Consortium), the managing body of the Area of Natural Interest of Alta Garrotxa, offers a range of walking routes marked with green signs with a green border.

Following these paths will take you into one of the wildest and roughest sub-districts of Catalonia. Most of the routes are very demanding and are only recommended if you are well prepared.

GR footpath is a network of long-distance footpaths in Europe. In La Garrotxa there are four GR trails:

- GR1 - Sender Transversal.

- GR2 - De la Jonquera a Aiguafreda.

- GR11 - Sender del Pirineu.

- GR83 - Camí del Nord o del Canigó.

Find out about all the signposted routes at turismegarrotxa.com and on the “walking and cycling routes through La Garrotxa” map available from all tourist offices in La Garrotxa. http://en.turismegarrotxa.com/ proposals-and-excursions/

The Carrilet cycle lane

By bike

You can ride safely along the greenway and its intersections between the Pyrenees and the Costa Brava. The El Carrilet greenway runs between Olot and Les Planes d’Hostoles, and even reaches Girona and the Costa Brava. Apart from this main roadway, there are other signposted routes to the central area of La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park and to the valleys of Sant Iscle and Vallac. Signposted routes can also be ridden to the valleys of Bianya and El Llierca (Montagut, Sant Jaume de Llierca, etc.), along with the valley of El Fluvià (Besalú, Maià de Montcal, etc.).

Find out about all the signposted routes at turismegarrotxa.com and on the “Walking and cycling routes through La Garrotxa” map available from all tourist offices in La Garrotxa.

By electric vehicle

Som Mobilitat has electric vehicles available at different points of Catalonia, with vehicles and fast charging points in La Garrotxa. These have an autonomy of around 200 km. www.sommobilitat.coop

By bus

It is possible to travel by bus in La Garrotxa using the different lines of the company TEISA, which mostly covers the valleys of El Fluvià and El Brugent.

On working days, the “Ruta dels Volcans” (Volcano Route) bus connects Olot and Santa Pau through the central part of the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park (Fageda d’en Jordà beech forest, El Croscat volcano, Santa Margarida volcano, etc.). It also runs on non-working days during the high season.

The Bus Transversal de la Garrotxa also runs from Monday to Saturday between Besalú and Les Planes d’Hostoles. And, on working days, there are also the different lines of the Olot urban bus service (TPO) that run through all the city's neighbourhoods. www.teisa-bus.com.

Nature La Garrotxa offers dormant volcanoes, lava flows, a rich, diverse flora and fauna, and a rather humid climate ... All in all, a precious natural heritage, in which volcanic activity, the countryside and certain unique plants in the world are its most prized possession.

La Garrotxa is located in the region of Girona, in the north east of Catalonia. Most of the region is at an altitude of less than 600 metres above sea level, and the highest peaks are no greater than 1,600 m.

La Garrotxa is home to over 40 volcanoes and several lava flows that form a gentle, rolling landscape, protected by the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park. The landscape changes radically to the north. It becomes more dramatic and abrupt, with many different cliffs and gorges that herald the entrance to Alta Garrotxa, an area that has been declared an Area of Natural Interest. To the west of the district, the areas of the mountains of Collsacabra and Puigsacalm have likewise been protected as Areas of Natural Interest.

The En Bas, Hostoles and Bianya valleys run through a large part of La Garrotxa, one of the districts in Catalonia with the largest number of signposted paths suitable for everyone.

La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park lies in the centre of the district, located in a depression surrounded by mountain ranges of sedimentary limestone from the tertiary period, with a series of faults that have caused the volcanic activity. Its volcanic landscape is of note, with more than forty volcanoes with round or irregular-shaped craters and many different lava flows that blocked rivers to form lakes and that cooled to form small hillocks. In some places, outcrops of lava exposed by river erosion can be seen, full of slabs and basalt columns, or deformed surfaces of lava. All in all, a unique area on the Iberian peninsula and well worth a visit.

The Olot basin and the nearby valleys, with their mountainous Atlantic climate, offer a Central European landscape with common oak and beech forests, in direct contrast with the more Mediterranean environments that prevail in the district.

"Save the volcanoes!" was the outcry of those who, in

Volcanoes and forests

the 1970s, bore angry witness to the systematic destruction of the volcanic area that had been the most well-preserved of the Iberian peninsula until then. Years later, the landscape and the geological and biological values became the three factors that justified the protection of the natural park.

Several volcanoes can be found right on the boundary of the municipality of Olot, forming a natural barrier for the city. These are the Les Bisaroques volcano, the La Garrinada volcano, the Montolivet volcano and the El Montsacopa volcano, and the city is home to a Volcano Museum (page 38).

El Croscat volcano, Santa Margarida volcano and the La Fageda d’en Jordà beech forest are the three nature reserves located in the very heart of the Natural Park. A 12-km hike from Santa Pau offers a circular route that includes these three sites (page 58).

The Sant Marc and El Puig Rodó volcanoes can be visited from Sant Feliu de Pallerols. El Puig Rodó volcano has an old basalt quarry that has been restored (page 64).

The lava flows run through different areas. Up to three lava flows and different formations caused by the solidification of the lava that ran down the valleys (page 50) can be seen in the Molí Fondo area of Sant Joan les Fonts. Lava flows can also be visited in Castellfollit de la Roca, a town perched atop an extremely interesting, large basalt cliff (page 52), in Sant Feliu de Pallerols (page 64) or in the valleys from El Brugent to Les Planes d’Hostoles (page 66).

El Bosc de Tosca is an area that lies on a lava flow between the municipalities of Les Preses and Olot, which has become a maze of reclaimed cropland and forests separated by dry-stone walls made using the rocks that people dug from the ground of the terraces, where they wanted to grow crops (proposal page 60).

La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park

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The flora in La Garrotxa is extremely varied and includes many different and extremely interesting protected species. The Volcano Museum in the Parc Nou park in Olot also has a botanical garden, and there are botanical routes that offer an insight into the district’s flora at the La Moixina restaurant (Olot) and in the area of Xenacs (Les Preses).

The Area of Natural Interest of Alta Garrotxa stretches north of the Fluvià river and lies among La Garrotxa, El Ripollès and Alt Empordà, and on the border with northern Catalonia. It is primarily formed by limestone, with an abrupt landscape that gives its name to the area: “garrotxes” literally means “rough lands of bad tracks”. Its mountainous landscape is typical of the Pyrenees foothills, its highest peak being the Comanegra (1,557 m). A large part of the area is typically Mediterranean, covered by holm oak and downy oak forests, and some endemic species of plants that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world.

Sant Sebastià de Monars

The area’s limestone landscape offers spectacular cliffs and gorges eroded away by the rivers, with pools, caves and potholes (page 44).

To the west, the land becomes flatter and the climate more humid, making it more suitable for use by man (pages 46 and 48).

Alta Garrotxa also has an extremely rich cultural heritage: country houses, hamlets, hermitages, charcoal kiln sites, etc., spread around the area and showing this area’s past importance of traditional, agricultural and livestock activities.

The Transversal mountain chain draws out the western border of the district with the Santa Magdalena, Puigsacalm (1515 m), Llancers and Cabrera mountains, formed by layers of limestone, sandstone, marl and conglomerates that shape a flat landscape with plateaus and scarps, over which waterfalls run.

The much more humid and mountainous climate is propense to hikes through beech and downy oak forests dotted with rambling meadows and excellent vantage points (pages 44 and 53)

http://en.turismegarrotxa.com/la-garrotxa/ territory-and-nature/

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Culture

A journey along an imaginary time line takes you back two thousand years to the Roman road of Capsacosta, the medieval architectural legacy of Besalú and Santa Pau, the uprising of the Catalan serfs in the valleys of En Bas and Hostoles, and the thriving Jewish quarter in Besalú, boasting the only Mikveh, the ritual bath house, in the entire country.

Pont medieval de Besalú

La Garrotxa is a synonym for culture in its purest state Olot also boasts the Renaissance cloister of El Carme, along with examples of Art Nouveau and Noucentista art, the delights of the Catalan school of landscape art, and religious imagery.

Some of the authors of the most unique works and of the most relevant events and artistic creations of the Catalan school are in La Garrotxa.

The district also has a long-standing tradition in the creation of nativity scenes. The Pessebres Vivents (Living Nativity Scenes) are one of the most popular events, along with the Nativity Scene Exhibition in Olot.

A visit to the district’s cultural facilities (museums, collections and interpretation centres in the area) provide an in-depth look into the history as well as natural and cultural heritage of La Garrotxa.

15 proposals to discover the heritage of La Garrotxa Nature and mankind have shaped the landscape throughout history. Volcanoes, basalt cliffs, paths and all kinds of construction form a unique legacy of incalculable value that can now be seen in the 15 proposals that will enable you to travel through time around the main components of the cultural and natural heritage of La Garrotxa.

Download the Garrotxa Cultour APP! You will find proposals, games and challenges, as well as information on the heritage.

Get the “Garrotxa Cultour” leaflet! It will guide you through the experience. Available at all tourist offices in La Garrotxa.

Garrotxa Cultour Download the APP and discover the best routes

http://www.garrotxacultour.com

Cuisine La Garrotxa is a privileged area of great culinary quality, represented by a wide range of restaurants. Some prepare more home-made, traditional cuisine, while others offer more innovative and avant-garde food, yet they all give the same importance to local, home-grown produce and their relationship with its producers.

Cuina Volcànica is the name of the group formed by several restaurants and professionals who have been promoting the district’s cuisine since 1994 in order to make it one of the main attractions to visitors. Its philosophy is based on recovering, maintaining, updating and promoting the produce and recipes of the gourmet culture in La Garrotxa. Some of the most noteworthy produce includes cornmeal, buckwheat, haricot beans, charcuterie, different dairy products, vegetable produce, tortell cake, coca bread topped with pork scratchings and ratafia herbal liqueur, among others.

The district also has two Michelin-star restaurants, Restaurant Les Cols** and Restaurant Ca l’Enric*, which just goes to prove the progress, quality and professionalism of our district’s cuisine.

Some might think that, in a volcanic region such as this one, it is easy to find good produce for good food, yet it is not only the surrounding countryside, but also the effort, work, trade, creativity and consistency of the sector’s professionals that have made La Garrotxa a gastronomic benchmark.

http://en.turismegarrotxa.com/la-garrotxa/ gastronomy/

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The products A good way of finding out the produce of La Garrotxa up close is by visiting its producers.

There is an increasing number of farms that open their doors to visitors to show how they work the land, how they look after the animals and how they prepare produce, such as yoghurt, charcuterie and vegetables.

More recently, ateliers have also popped up that offer workshops open to the public to explain how their cheeses, charcuterie and chocolate, etc. are made.

Without all these producers, La Garrotxa would not be the same. The current landscape, formed by a mosaic of fields and forests, is the result of the “gardening” work of the farmers who till the land and their livestock that grazes on it.

This is particularly relevant in La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, where a quarter of the protected area is formed by agricultural land and where “Fet al Parc”, a project designed to support its producers and manufacturers, has been promoted.

The Cornmeal, Buckwheat, Haricot Bean, Charcuterie and Origins fairs as well as the Gastronomy Fair of La Garrotxa, the Tapas Route, etc. are a must for lovers of local produce and La Garrotxa cuisine.

This is also the case of the agro-shops, specialist shops and markets, especially the El Rengle and La Plaça Mercat d’Olot markets, where almost everything on sale are locally produced goods.

Weekly markets: Monday: Olot.

Tuesday: Besalú and Sant Joan les Fonts.

Friday: Les Planes d’Hostoles and Sant Esteve d’en Bas. Saturday: Castellfollit de la Roca, Sant Jaume de Llierca, la Canya and Sant Feliu de Pallerols.

Sunday: Tortellà and Can Blanc (Santa Pau), Les Preses.

Historyc route Castles and monasteries were at the centre of life in the Middle Ages. Although some of their splendour has waned, today La Gar-rotxa still maintains vestiges of that past in towns and villages such as Sant Joan les Fonts, Santa Pau and Besalú.

We begin this medieval route in Sant Joan les Fonts and one of the first places we recommend you visit is the church of the old Benedictine monastery. To reserve a visit, please call: 972 29 05 07. Declared a National Monument, this monastery boasts three naves and porch covered by a late atrium. Also of note are the Romanesque baptismal font decorated with bas relief and a carved Christ figure, the original of which is kept in the Diocesan Museum in Girona.

Dating from the same era is the medieval bridge that joins the old part of Sant Joan and the parish church to the Castanyer quarter. Built from volcanic rock, the bridge over the river Fluvià consists of a single large arch with two smaller lateral arches. Nearby we find the oldest Romanesque civil building in Catalonia, the castle of Juvinyà, a fortified manor house that was declared a Monument of National Interest in 1972. In recent years the building has been completely restored and now that has been converted into the Sant Joan les Fonts Territorial Interpretation Centre. he whole of the village of Santa Pau merits special attention. The historical centre is presided over by El Castell de la Baronia (the Baron’s castle), which is mentioned in documents from the 13th century onwards. Square in shape, this building today consists of a central courtyard and adjoining quarters that is the result of additions made between the 13th and 15th centuries. To the south we find the triangular shaped Plaça Major, once known as the Firal dels Bous (the ‘oxen fairground’) since it was used as a marketplace and fairground. This medieval square, which has remained practically unchanged since the first decades of the 14th century, is one of the best conserved such squares in Catalonia.

Besalú, the third stop on this medieval route, is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Catalonia and boasts religious and civil buildings (for example, the monastery of Sant Pere) of great interest. Founded in 977 and consecrated in 1003, the façade of Sant Pere is renowned for a highly original window adorned with the figures of two lions, symbols of the power and the protection provided by the church, which stand, respectively, on a monkey and a naked man, representations of evil and paganism.

Medieval route

In the same square as Sant Pere is Casa Cornellà, thought to be one of the best conserved Romanesque civil buildings in Catalonia. Behind Sant Pere stands the Hospital de Sant Julià (in fact, a hostel for travellers) with a 12th century façade, while a little further away are the Romanesque church of Sant Vicenç, with transitional elements between the Romanesque and Gothic, the Cúria Real and the Collegiate church of Santa Maria, two further examples of the wonderful cultural heritage of Besalú. The Pont Vell (old bridge), dating from the 11th century and reconstructed a number of times over the centuries, is 105 m long and 30 m high; as the main gate into Besalú it is the true symbol of this marvellous medieval town.

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You cannot leave Besalú without visiting the mikveh and the synagogue. Discovered in 1964, it is the first building of its kind to be found in Spain and the third in Europe. The ongoing archaeological digs in Besalú merely expand on the long list of points of interest in the municipality. The Municipal Tourist Office offers guided tours to learn all about the town’s heritage.

The fourth and last stop on this route is the medieval bridge over the Llierca river, near Tortellà. Most likely built in the mid-14th century, this elegant construction is one of the most important and emblematic elements of the Alta Garrotxa heritage. With just a single arch measuring 19 metres in diameter, it is one of the most graceful and attractive bridges in the district.

more information

Sant Joan les Fonts Besalú Olot Santa Pau

How: By car Signposted: Yes More information: Garrotxa Cultour brochure Itinerary suitable for people with children Itinerary suitable for people with reduced mobility

http://en.turismegarrotxa.com/medieval-towns/ Ruta Medieval

Santa Pau

RM

www.garrotxacultour.com

Historyc route The revolt of the Remences – a peasant uprising against their lords and the abusive mals usos (feudal obligations) - took place in La Garrotxa during the second half of the 15th century.

One of the most outstanding reminders of this period is the castle of Hostoles that, according to the historian Vicenç Vives, is “the most notable mountain fortress of the Remença resistance”.

Today, this castle is the focal point for understanding this revolt, led by Francesc de Verntallat from the village of El Mallol in LaVall d’en Bas. This route takes you through the Hostoles and Bas valleys and on to Santa Pau, following in the footsteps of the Remença peasants as they fought for their freedom.

This route begins in La Vall d’en Bas in the village of El Mallol, sat astride one of the most notable rocky outcrops in this otherwise flat valley. The house of the Veguer, the prison or Notari house, as well as the farmhouse where Francesc de Verntallat was born, are some of the most significant buildings preserved in this village. A plaque reminds visitors of the connection between El Mallol and Francesc de Verntallat and at the entrance to the village of Hostalets a further monument to this peasant leader can be seen.

The next stop on this route is Sant Feliu de Pallerols, where in the old centre of this town (the old sagrera) you can see the house in which Francesc de Verntallat died. Also of interest in this town is the mill Molí de la Conqueta, where the peasants who decided to rebel House of Francesc de Verntallat (La Vall d'en Bas)

On the trail of the Remences

against the abuses they were subjected to by their feudal lords once worked so ceaselessly. Within the limits of the municipality of Sant Feliu de Pallerols lies the castle of Hostoles, the main fortification in the valley and one the principal strongholds of the feudal system in the valley. Francesc de Verntallat took and converted the castle – today in ruins – into his headquarters during the first Remença revolt, and it was to remain in the hands of the rebels until after the second Sentence of Guadalupe. Today, the only visible remains of this symbol of Catalan history, documented from 1020, are parts of the walls, part of the main cylindrical tower and the cistern.

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The castle of Hostoles and those of Puig-alder and Colltort stood on the frontier between the countdoms of Besalú and Girona: Puig-alder, also in the municipality of Sant Feliu de Pallerols, is mentioned in 1020 in the testament of Bernat Tallaferro and by 1184 a church dedicated to Sant Salvador had also been built on the same lofty site.

Restored a few years ago, attached to the church there is a small building where people can sleep and from where there are splendid views across the valleys of Vallac and Bastons.

The castle of Colltort, documented from 1017, also provides splendid views across La Garrotxa. Today, it too is ruined but gazes down over the route to Santa Pau, another of the village in La Garrotxa that was marked by the revolt of the Remences.

ss i m t ’ n o D

The prison in El Mallol (visits organised by La Vall d’en Bas tourist office), Colltort castle, the sagrera (old quarter clustered around the church) of Sant Feliu de Pallerols and the rest of its historical centre, and the monument to Francesc de Verntallat in the house he lived at the end of his life (opposite the Molí de la Conqueta).

A walk through the peaceful village of Mieres, which in September 1484 was the scene of a revolt when the local authorities attempted to put an embargo on the property of the people who refused to pay their taxes to the local lords.

more information

Olot La Vall d’en Bas

Mieres Sant Feliu de Pallerols Les Planes d’hostoles

How? by car, on foot and in part by bike How to get there: the C-63 and C-152 are the main access roads for this route Signposted? Yes More information: Garrotxa Cultour brochure Itinerary suitable for people with children Camí dels Remences

CR

www.garrotxacultour.com

http://en.turismegarrotxa.com/proposals-and-excursions/on-the-trail-of-the-remences-10/

Architectural route Art Nouveau left its mark on La Garrotxa.

The Solà-Morales house in the centre of Olot, the school in Les Planes d’Hostoles and Mas la Riba (an old farmhouse) in La Vall de Bianya are but three of the numerous examples of this artistic style that is so characteristic of Catalonia.

The Firal (Passeig de Miquel Blay) is home to two of the most important Art Nouveau buildings in Olot. On one side stands the Solà-Morales house, which was included in the European Art Nou-veau route in 2000.

Plant motifs predominate on the façade renovated by Lluís Domènech i Montaner in the period 1913-1916.

The top storey has a gallery supported by 12 decorated columns and a barbican tiled with ceramics from Valencia; also on the façade there are two caryatids by the sculptor Eusebi Arnau. From this house, another of the most eyecatching buildings in Olot – the Gaietà-Vila house at the other end of the Firal – is visible. This latter house was designed by the architect Alfred Paluzie and has medieval elements such as crenellations on its roof.

Other Art Nouveau buildings in Olot include Casa Pujador, Casa Gassiot and Casa Masramon, the latter the work of the architect Rafel Masó. This architect also designed Mas la Riba in L’Hostalnou de la Vall de la Bianya, a village that can also boast an Art Nouveau al-tar piece and entrance door in the Romanesque church of Sant Salvador de Bianya and the Art Nouveau Casa de la Coromina.

Art Nouveau also made its presence felt in the Hostoles valley. In Sant Feliu de Pallerols Can Casas is decorated with coloured glass, painted ceramics and worked wood and iron, which dates this building – today a chemist – from the beginning of the 20th century and the end of the Art Nouveau period. In the neighbouring town of Les Planes d’Hostoles, the first Art Nouveau building you will find is the school, opened in 1918. It stands on the left-hand side of the road from Sant Feliu and one of the peculiarities of its façade is that the signs

Casa Gaietà Vila

Art Nouveau in La Garrotxa

that differentiate the boys and girls entrances are still visible. A little further along and on the same side of the road stands Can Garay, converted into a hotel with an Art Nouveau ambience to mark its centenary. Continuing on towards Girona, we find Torre Dusol. It was built between 1920 i 1922 and today a well-known restaurant and conference centre known how Torre dels Til¡lers. Other buildings in the town that are reminiscent of Art Nouveau include Can Cadet and Can Noguer.

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? w o n k Did you

La Vall de Bianya

Art Nouveau (known as Modernisme in Catalonia) was a cultural movement that influenced many architects and decorative artists. It was characterised by a dominance of curved over straight lines, the use of rich detailed decorations and plant motifs, a delight in asymmetry and a dynamic use of forms. Most of La Garrotxa Art Nouveau route can be explored from the Carrilet cycle lane.

Olot

Les Planes d’hostoles

more information How? By car, by bike or on foot Signposted? yes More information: Garrotxa Cultour brochure Itinerary suitable for people with children Itinerary suitable for people with reduced mobility

Garrotxa Modernista

GM

www.garrotxacultour.com

http://en.turismegarrotxa.com/la-garrotxa/culture/art/modernism-and-noucentisme/

Scenic route The intense summer heat is an incentive to search for places to cool off, places where you can rest and at the same time get to know some of the other delights of La Garrotxa. These places are accessible on foot, by bike or by car; further more, practically all the towns in La Garrotxa have shady picnic areas, all in beautiful settings and some even with swimming pools. Here we recommend a number of spots in La Garrotxa that you can resort to when you need to cool down.

Keeping cool in La Garrotxa

Besalú The river Fluvià passes through Besalú and is a good place to cool down, although the river is not considered as such to be a good bathing area. There are two picnic sites: one under the bridge and accessible on foot from the main car-park and the other next to the river, accessible from Prat de Sant Pere, the starting point for Besalú’s Anella Verda (green ring).

Sant Joan les Fonts Sant Joan les Fonts is one of the towns most closely connected to water in La Garrotxa. It takes its name from the multitude of natural springs (fonts) found in the municipality. The presence of water (although there is no bathing zone in the town) and lava flows are the most characteristic features of this town. It is highly recommended to discover “Ruta de les Fonts i Verlets “ irrigated by the water gushing from the fountains of Mulleres and Fontfreda; and Molí Fondo, an old paper factory with a waterfall that crashes over a small basalt cliff formed by the lava emmited by the volcanoes in Batet and La Garrinada. The municipality has two picnic areas, one next to the sports area and the other next to the nursery.

Alta Garrotxa The landscape of the Alta Garrotxa is one of the many attractions of this comarca. Walks through this Area of Natural Interest can be combined with a dip in the municipal swimming baths in Tortellà, Montagut or Maià de Montcal.

Santa Pau The waterfalls and bathing pools (gorgs) of Can Batlle can be reached from Santa Pau by following Natural Park itinerary 14. This route (12 km) begins in Santa Pau and after passing by these waterfalls returns to the village via the sanctuary of Els Arcs. For a shorter walk, leave the village via Sant Martí and you will reach the waterfalls and bathing pools after a walk of 8 km.

? w o n k Did you

The municipal swimming baths in Besalú, Castellfollit de la Roca, Maià de Montcal, Montagut, Olot, Les Preses, Les Planes d’Hostoles, Sant Feliu de Pallerols, Sant Joan les Fonts, Tortellà and La Vall d’en Bas. The traditional Tossols-Basil swim is held every last Sunday in August, in which participants swim a stretch of the river Fluvià.

Vall d’en Bas Near Sant Privat d’en Bas there is a picnic spot accessible by car known as ‘Els Pins’, which has tables, barbeques and a bar. You can either park in the village of Sant Privat itself and walk the remaining 500 m to the picnic site or drive all the way to the picnic site. The path that leads to the bathing pools starts from beneath the pines at the picnic site. If you have a little longer you can also head for two of this municipality’s best vantage points: Sant Miquel de Castelló, accessible –also on foot– from Hostalets d’en Bas, and Fontanils, accessible from Puigpardines.

Les Preses The swimming pool in Les Preses is one of the coolest places in summer in this town. Its modern installations offer shade and services, as well as a complete gamut of activities: night swimming, open-air cinema, live music, and so on.

Olot The Aiguamoixos de la Moixina (marshy woodland known to locals as La Moixina) and Parc Nou are two beauty spots in Olot where it is easy to find a moment of peace and quiet. Here, the branches of the centuries-old trees will protect you from the rigours of the of midday sun; alter-natively, head for the springs at Les Tries or Sant Roc, or the recreation area at Tossols-Basil.

Can Batlle waterfall

Alta Garrotxa

Sant Joan les Fonts

Tortellà Besalú

Olot La Vall d’en Bas

Les Preses

Santa Pau

Sant Feliu de Pallerols Les Planes d’hostoles

Tortellà The park of Can Santaló and the main square behind the church are two of the coolest spots in Tortellà.

Another shady spot is the spring of Can Cosí near the medieval bridge of El Pont de Llierca.

Sant Feliu de Pallerols The river Brugent, a tributary of the river Ter, pass-es through the centre of Sant Feliu de Pallerols in the Hostoles valley. Around 50 natural springs are dotted around this municipality: the Vern, Rocalba and La Fàbrega fonts are just three of the natural springs that are easily reached on foot, by bike or by car. The best bathing spots are the Gorg d’en Duran and Gorg de la Mola: to get to these delightful spots, park at La Torre and continue on foot or by mountain bike. Another popular place to visit are Balmes de la Torra, a group of caves.

Les Planes d’Hostoles The river Brugent has created many good bathing spots in and around the town of Les Planes. The best are at Gorg de la Plana at the entrance to the town in the area known as La Plana, and Gorg de Santa Margarida, on the outskirts of the town next to the Pirene factory.

Les Planes is also home to the Molí dels Murris waterfall. To reach it, leave the car in the car park provided and walk for around 2 kilometres.

21

Scenic route Another way of discovering La Garrotxa is to see it from a bird’s-eye view. La Garrotxa has a whole host of natural vantage points offering a privileged view of the district. Take the healthy route and walk up to it along the different signposted paths!

If you are travelling from north to south, the first summit to offer panoramic views of La Garrotxa is that of La Mare de Déu del Mont. 1 Located in an area that left its mark on the poet Jacint Verdaguer, it offers an exceptional view of a large part of the region.

more information

Slightly further south-west you can climb the Guilar 2 mountain in Argelaguer, from where you will have great views of the Llierca valley, and the church in Castellfollit de la Roca 3 offers a spectacular, different and unique outline of this small municipality.

Miradors de la Garrotxa

MG

www.garrotxacultour.com http://en.turismegarrotxa.com/proposals-and-excursions/ summits-of-la-garrotxa-19/ Serra del Corb

Summits of La Garrotxa A little further south, near the village of Montagut, is the shrine of La Mare de Déu del Cós, 4 a fantastic vantage point of the middle course of the Fluvià river, from the Puigsacalm until the Empordà plains on the horizon.

In Olot, you can climb the Montsacopa volcano. 5 It is located in the city centre, and its crater offers different views of the city and its surrounding countryside. One of the areas you will see is Batet de la Serra, 6 a basalt plateau located half-way between Olot, Santa Pau and the Fageda d’en Jordà beech forest, which is also well worth a climb to admire the La Garrotxa countryside and the Pyrenees mountains.

Continuing south, you can climb Puig Rodó, 7 the perfect lookout over the plain of Les Preses and the En Bas valley, Alta Garrotxa, the easternmost summits of the Pyrenees and, weather permitting, Cap de Creus and the gulf of Roses. The access road is closed on Mondays.

1

5

Olot

7

8

3 6

4 2

9

The vantage points at the shrine of La Salut 8 , with great views of the Hostoles valley, and Sant Miquel de Castelló and Fontanills in the En Bas valley, for an ideal view of the valley, are worth a visit in the southernmost part of La Garrotxa.

To the south-east of the district is Santa Maria de Finestres, 9 the highest peak of the mountain range of the same name, well worth climbing for a view of a large part of the district.

Scenic route Despite the multiple attractions – landscape, cuisine and its people – of La Garrotxa, there are some places in this comarca that have a truly unique air about them. This is the case of the charming villages you will discover if you decide to follow this route through Besalú, Riudaura and Santa Pau. Besalú has so many attractions that it is hard to know where to begin in what is one of the most singular medieval towns in Catalonia: neverthe-less, you ought not to miss its unique Jewish quarter, the church/monastery of Sant Pere with its exceptional ambulatory, the church of Sant Vicenç with a lateral gothic chapel devoted to the True Cross, the façade of the old church/hostel of Sant Julià, the medieval house of Casa Cor-nella and the gothic hall in the Cúria Real. Other charming villages include Sant Esteve d’en Bas, the capital of the Bas Valley, graced by a Plaça Major with a 12th century Romanesque church with interesting capitols and the oldest Christ Majesty figure in Catalonia; Hostalets d’en Bas, beloved for the delightful balconies decorated by geraniums in summer that run along Carrer Teixeda; Joanetes, with its church devoted to Sant Romà set against a background of the mountains of Puigsacalm; Puigpardines, once an important medieval monastery; and Sant Privat d’en Bas, La Pinya and El Mallol, three further charming villages that add to the delights of this route.

The medieval layout of its streets and the at-tractive surrounding landscapes make Riudaura another ‘must-see’ village in La Garrotxa. Wandering through this village you will discover Plaça Gambeto, buildings such as Can Bago and the ancient chapel of Sant Marçal, today the town hall and doctor’s, and streets such as La Rutlla, d’Olot, La Terrica and Rompeculs that all go to make Riudaura one of the most charming villages in La Garrotxa. It lies in the valley of the Riera de Riudaura, enclosed by the mountain of Sant Miquel del Mont, Coll de Coubet with its abandoned hostel of La Cantina, Coll de Canes and the mountain of Santa Magdalena de Cambrils. The mountains of Puig de l’Ofrena, Puig de la Miranda and La Rauta separate Riudaura from La Vall d’en Bas. Santa Pau is the penultimate stop on the route. Through the villages with charm in La Garrotxa, was declared of Historical and Artistic Importance in 1971 and today the village exhibits a typical medieval street plan, with walls, irregular streets, evocative corners and buildings of great architectural interest. Situated at the foot of the Serra de Finestres, the village grew up around the Baron’s castle, documented from the mid-13th century.

Charming villages

When the Barony of Santa Pau was created in 1278, this castle became the main residence of the lords of the area and from 1300 onwards became the walled centre of the growing village of Santa Pau. Past and present meet in Santa Pau and a visit to this beautiful village will leave nobody indifferent!

25

The route ends in Oix, a small village surrounded by mountains right in the heart of Alta Garrotxa, where the church of Sant Llorenç, Oix castle and the Roman bridge are worth a visit. If you have time, you can reach Beget, a picturesque village that is home to the church of Sant Cristòfol. Inside is La Majestat, a large multi-coloured wood carving that has been kept intact since the 12th century.

s s i m t ’ n Do

Although its origins are lost in the mists of time, the dance of El Gambeto is still performed in Riudaura on Whitsunday. El Gambeto begins with eight mixed pairs dancing to the music of the Ball del Roser, the men wearing top hats and gambeto (a long black coat that reaches down to their feet) and the women long skirts and white hoods.

After a while, the initial participants invite those watching to join in the dance with them.

? w o n k Did you

A good reason to follow this route at the begin-ning of December is the relatively recent Sant Nicolau Fair in El Mallol, held every December 6th and today one of the most visited of all fairs in La Garrotxa.

Oix

Besalú Olot Riudaura La Vall d’en Bas

Santa Pau

more information How? by car, by bike or on foot Signposted? no More information: Tourist leaflets from Besalú, Santa Pau and La Vall d’en Bas, La Garrotxa tourist map.

Itinerary suitable for people with children Itinerary suitable for people with reduced mobility http://en.turismegarrotxa.com/rural-landscapes/

Els Hostalets d'en Bas

Agenda JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

SEVERAL VILLAGES OF LA GARROTXA

24 hores de muntanya.

OLOT

Mostra de pessebres.

SANTA PAU

Haricot bean fair.

LA VALL DE BIANYA

Tasting of dishes made with Santa Pau beans.

Festa Remença de la Vall de Llémena.

SANT JOAN LES FONTS

Sant Joan les Flors.

Exhibition and installation of flowers, plants and bonsai.

SANT FELIU DE PALLEROLS Festa Major de Sant Feliu de Pallerols. Dance of the horses,

Buckwheat fair.

giants and the mulassa mule

Sunfish fishing with a basket

Craft products and tasting buckwheat.

Violinada

SANTA PAU

Cursa pel cor de la Fageda.

OLOT

Fira del Fajol. (Buckwheat fair) Carnaval d’Olot.

Olotx2.

LA VALL D’EN BAS

Terra de Remences Cycling Tourism Route. Sports activity

TORTELLÀ

Lenten Fair.

BESALÚ

Besalú, Jewish town

for bicycle fans.

Lletissonada.

Walking route through the sites of the Vall d'en Bas.

Bas Extrem Duathlon Cursa cames de ferro.

Fira de l'Embotit (Charcuterie fair)

Outdoor shopping and Craft Market Elmini, music festival

CASTELLFOLLIT DE LA ROCA Duatló de Castellfollit.

LA VALL DE BIANYA

Bianya Valley Annual Festivities Sown with candies and candies.

St. Salvador de Bianya festivities Meeting of accordionists.

JUNE

SEVERAL VILLAGES OF LA GARROTXA

Benvinguts a Pagès.

SANT JAUME DE LLIERCA

Sant Josep fair, Lacemaking and Patchwork fair

BESALÚ

Herbesalú

SEVERAL VILLAGES OF LA GARROTXA

Embardissada.

OLOT

Local dancing for Corpus and the dance of the giants

BESALÚ

Easter Forge and Ironworking fair

BESALÚ I MIERES

Friday before Palm Sunday La Mare de Déu dels Dolors procession

One of the few days of the year that the giants of Olot can be seen dancing.

Tapas route Olot Shopping Nit Bonavista race Up and Down to Aiguanegra

CASTELLFOLLIT DE LA ROCA Stonemasons’ fair SANT JOAN LES FONTS

Fira del Tastet. (Gourmet fair)

TORTELLÀ

El Roser festivities

MAIÀ DE MONTCAL

Egg fair Wine and cheese market

OLOT

Oxfam Trailwalker La Garrotxa Half Marathon MOT Festival Literary activities Sismògraf Festival Performances of Christus

LA VALL DE BIANYA

MAY

SANT ANIOL DE FINESTRES

ARGELAGUER

OLOT

APRIL

MAY

Cursa Romànic Extrem Popular Walk along the Bianya Valley

CASTELLFOLLIT DE LA ROCA Festa de la Germandat OLOT

SANT JAUME DE LLIERCA

Llierca valley sports days St. Jaume de Llierca mountain race

SANT JOAN LES FONTS

The Night of the water women Sant Joan les Fonts Annual Festivities

SANT FELIU DE PALLEROLS Climb to La Salut LA VALL D’EN BAS SUMMER

BESALÚ

OLOT

LES PRESES

Festa del Roser

RIUDAURA

Ball del gambeto

Popular and participatory dance.

La Cua del Drac.

Outdoor activities.

Música al Parc.

Outdoor shopping St. Roc Festivities Popular Race Stargazing

Craft Market, Music Fair and Music Market, bonsai and automotive shows.

Concerts and parades with bagpipes.

Aquesta Nit, Besalú (Tonight, Besalú) evening tours Besalú night race, Warclubs

CASTELLFOLLIT DE LA ROCA Concert cycle in Castellfollit de la Roca

Spring fair

La Moixina race Cornamusam.

Reaping day

LES PLANES D’HOSTOLES

Planestiueja't

LES PRESES

Les Preses a la fresca Xenacs Natura Run and Duathlon Verntallat Popular Race

SANT FELIU DE PALLEROLS Enjoy summer in Sant Feliu Sant Roc Festivities Popular Cross-country race

27 SUMMER

JULY

SANTA PAU

Outdoor party

LA VALL DE BIANYA

Jazz night in Santa Margarida de Bianya “Viu l’estiu a la Vall de Bianya” (Enjoy summer in the Bianya Valley) summer activities

SEVERAL VILLAGES OF LA GARROTXA

Music on the farms

OLOT

Circus in the square La Mare de Déu del Carme festivities, The Dragon and Rabbit dance.

Up and Down Batet de la Serra.

Biennal Olot Fotografia.

LES PLANES D’HOSTOLES

Sant Jaume annual festivities

RIUDAURA

From here I can see a star

SANT JAUME DE LLIERCA

Annual festivities

OCTOBER NOVEMBER

AUGUST

OCTOBER

Annual festivities

OLOT

Outdoor shopping and Craft Market

LES PRESES

Ésdansa International Music and Dance Festival

SANT FELIU DE PALLEROLS

TORTELLÀ

Serrallonga dance

LA VALL D’EN BAS

SEPTEMBER

BESALÚ

Tortellà annual festivities.

Annual festivities of Sant Privat, Els Hostalets and La Vila del Mallol. Summer concerts Medieval Besalú

SEVERAL VILLAGES OF LA GARROTXA

Trepitja Garrotxa race.

Volcanolimits MTB race.

BESALÚ

Magical Besalú (biennial)

OLOT

Santa Espina festivities

SANT FERRIOL

Sant Ferriol pilgrimage Climb to Sant Ferriol.

TORTELLÀ

Craft beer festival

SANT JOAN LES FONTS

Cycling race 100% Tondo.

LA VALL D’EN BAS

Annual festivities

LA VALL DE BIANYA

Sant Miquel del Mont pilgrimage

Agri-food fair of quality products.

NOVEMBER

Gala de les Preses

SANT JOAN LES FONTS

International Witchcraft Fair

LA VALL D’EN BAS

Cursa Vertikalm.

SEVERAL VILLAGES OF LA GARROTXA

La Garrotxa Gastronomy Fair

MIERES

Swapping fair

OLOT

Lluèrnia El Petit Format Theatre fair

LES PLANES D’HOSTOLES Sant Martí pilgrimage Sant Silvestre Mountain Race

DECEMBER

LA VALL DE BIANYA

Romànic Bike Extrem.

BESALÚ

Ratafia liqueur fair

Tasting ratafía and other natural and artisanal products.

CASTELLFOLLIT DE LA ROCA Christmas activities OLOT

Nativity scene exhibition

Exhibitions of cribs in several points of the city and market of objects and Christmas products.

Christmas race Veus Festival Ice skating rink

CASTELLFOLLIT DE LA ROCA Annual festivities

LES PLANES D’HOSTOLES

Orígens

LES PRESES

Besalú travels a thousand years ago and becomes the former county of Besalú.

Tura festivities and Dance of the eagle of Sant Ferriol Ball de l’àliga de Sant Ferriol.

Olot Popular Orienteering Race Olot Volcano Race

A weekend dedicated to magic.

Autumn Fair - Sant Lluc Drawing Fair, Livestock Fair, Craft market and Extraordinary clothes market

Desfrenada MTB Race.

OLOT

Walk along the Roman Road of Capsacosta Bianyal d’Art i Patrimoni de la Vall de Bianya.

CASTELLFOLLIT DE LA ROCA Autumn Fair.

Sant Feliu de Pallerols annual festivities .

Annual festivities

Olot City Race

Annual fair of unknown books, where you can discover authors, stories and old books.

Dance of the small horses, giants and the mulassa mule

SANTA PAU

OLOT

Liberisliber.

Joanetes annual festivities La Pinya annual festivities Concerts d’estiu.

MIERES

Besalú mountain race

LA VALL DE BIANYA

SANT FELIU DE PALLEROLS 60s party LA VALL D’EN BAS

BESALÚ

LA VALL D’EN BAS

Sant Nicolau fair

Remensa and ethnological fair with activities, trade shows and craft and gastronomy fair.

SANT FELIU DE PALLEROLS Santa Llúcia fair

Market of traditional products and artisans, and exhibition of livestock.

Living nativity scenes, reenactments of the Shepherds and bingos in different towns and villages of La Garrotxa.

Christmas Eve mass and hot chocolate in different churches around La Garrotxa.

Service guide We welcome you to enjoy the visit.

This icon identifies companies that have signed a collaboration agreement with the territory guarantees a responsible management, sustainable and quality through the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism.

APARTMENTS Batet de la Serra

Casa Mas la Mata

679 65 90 06

www.batetnatural.com

Besalú

Can Fruitós

626 10 15 35

www.canfruitos.com

Saltarel·lo

690 02 23 33

apartamentosturisticossaltarello.wordpress.com

Can Coromines

972 59 11 08

www.cancoromines.com

Cal Tort

607 28 99 11

www.caltort.cat

Mas Riera

679 64 18 72

www.mas-riera.es

Mas Ombravella

699 01 55 55

www.masombravella.com

Maià de Montcal

Mieres Montagut i Oix

Mas l'Era

654 98 38 17

Olot

Can Llorigó

647 46 38 77

www.canllorigo.com

El Solell de l'àvia

609 43 93 78

www.elsolelldelavia.com

Verd Natura

972 27 37 20

www.apartamentsverdnatura.com

Entre Volcans

670 28 08 06

www.apartamentsentrevolcans.es

El Jardinet de Sant Esteve

653 82 80 63

www.eljardinetdesantesteve.com

Mas la Solana

687 97 10 99

maslasolana19.wixsite.com/lasolana

Mas Vedruna

625 52 28 64

www.masvedruna.com www.cangelislespreses.com

Les Planes d'Hostoles

CAMP HOUSES

Les Preses

Can Gelis

660 35 41 07

Sant Feliu de Pallerols

Can Burres

639 70 00 29

Sant Ferriol

L'Arcada de Fares

972 59 08 55

www.arcadadefares.com

Sant Jaume de Llierca

El Balcó del Llierca

972 28 70 95

www.elbalco.net

Apartaments del Llierca

679 57 23 48

www.apartamentsdelllierca.com

Santa Pau

Can Xel

972 68 02 11

www.canxel.com

Can Salgueda

626 30 22 73

www.cansalgueda.com

La Francesa

972 26 22 41

www.lafrancesa.cat

Mas el Carrer

676 15 69 58

www.marmuntanya.com

Cal Cisteller

972 26 07 49

www.cisteller.com

Can Pere Petit

616 65 75 29

www.canperepetit.com

Mas Pladevall

636 27 18 61

www.maspladevall.com

Tortellà

Ca la Lola

616 90 82 94

www.calalola.cat

La Vall de Bianya

Masia Quelet Can Danés

618 76 77 57 972 29 09 98

www.quelet.es www.candanes.com www.allotjamentsrurals.com

La Vall d'en Bas

Colomer-Cullell

972 69 06 06

Can Rafalot

972 69 01 84

El Prat

610 28 66 44

www.apartamentsbas.com

Can Guidic

649 20 69 53

www.fina.cat/can-guidic

CAMPSITES Montagut i Oix

Olot

Montagut

972 28 72 02

www.campingmontagut.com

La Soleia d'Oix

972 29 45 61

www.lasoleiadoix.cat

Can Banal

972 68 76 81

www.campingcanbanal.net

Les Tries

972 26 24 05

www.lestries.com

Les Planes d'Hostoles

L'Alguer

972 44 86 00

www.campingalguer.com

Les Preses

Natura Les Preses

972 69 20 93

www.campingnatura.cat

Santa Pau La Vall de Bianya

La Fageda

972 27 12 39

www.campinglafageda.com

Ecològic Lava

972 68 03 58

www.campinglava.com

Vall de Bianya

972 29 00 57

www.campingbianya.com

Olot

La Canova d'en Solà

972 68 03 39

www.accac.cat/lacanova

Mas la Comademont

972 26 10 42

www.lacomademont.com

Les Preses

686 41 41 13

www.ambitrural.cat

Sant Feliu de Pallerols Mas Colltort

972 44 43 18

www.mascolltort.cat

Sant Joan les Fonts

La Cadamont

972 19 51 36

www.lacadamont.com

Mas Pinadella

678 79 64 80

www.coloniesgarrotxa.com /casa/mas-pinadella

La Vall de Bianya

Mas Coromina

972 29 00 67

www.mascoromina.com

La Vall d'en Bas

El Rourell

649 09 03 31

www.elrourell.com

El Xalió

93 846 81 01

www.elxalio.com

Olot

Alberg Torre Malagrida

972 26 42 00

www.xanascat.cat

Santa Pau

Alberg Bellavista

639 17 76 82

www.santapaurural.cat

La Vall d'en Bas

Alberg de la Vall d'en Bas

972 69 07 94

www.albergvallbas.cat

Les Preses

NEAR LA GARROTXA Sant Miquel de Campmajor

HOSTELS

COUNTRY HOUSES

29

HOTELS AND PENSIONS

Beuda

Can Felicià

H 670 70 99 59

www.canfelicia.com

Castellfollit de la Roca

Fonda Ca la Paula

972 29 40 32

www.fondacalapaula.com

P**

Mieres

Cal Carreter

H 656 69 50 98

www.calcarreter.cat

Montagut i Oix

Hostal de la Rovira

972 29 43 47

www.hostaldelarovira.es

H*

Montagut i Oix

Mas Pineda

H 620 61 60 87

www.maspineda.es

Olot

Hotel Riu Fluvià

972 26 94 44

www.riufluvia.es

H****

Can Pei

H 607 72 09 33

www.canpei.net

Hotel Can Blanc

972 27 60 20

www.canblanc.es

H***

Olot

Mas Casamitjana

C 645 21 72 18

www.mascasamitjana.cat

Hotel Borrell

972 27 61 61

www.hotelborrell.com

H***

Les Preses

Mas Masnou

C 689 68 18 83

www.masmasnou.com

Hotel l'Estació

972 26 10 07

www.hotelolot.com

H***

Riudaura

La Rovirota

C 619 37 06 72

www.larovirota.cat

Apartament Perla d'Olot

972 26 23 26

www.hotellaperlaolot.com

H-A***

Sant Esteve de Llemena Mas Baié

H 972 44 31 91

www.masbaie.com

Hotel La Perla d'Olot

972 26 23 26

www.hotellaperlaolot.com

H**

Sant Feliu de Pallerols

Aiguabella

C 620 58 79 76

www.aiguabella.com

Els Amolls

690 21 18 80

www.amolls.com

P**

Casa Prat

C 648 10 37 35

www.caliurural.com

Les Cols Pavellons

699 813 817

www.lescolspavellons.com

P**

Can Ventura

C 648 10 37 35

www.caliurural.com

Hostal la Vila

972 26 98 07

www.pensiolavila.com

P**

La Rectoria de St. Miquel de Pineda

H 691 35 31 11

www.larectoriadesantmiquel.com

Hostal Sant Bernat

972 26 19 19

www.hostalsantbernat.com P**

Mas Violella

C 650 43 07 98

Cal Xicot

C 696 88 29 60

Mas Molera

H 661 91 94 47

www.ambitrural.cat www.experienciarural.cat /CA/18/cal-xicot.html www.masmolera.com

Mas Cantallops

C 972 68 02 57

www.mascantallops.com

Mas Can Batlle

C 972 68 03 48

www.mascanbatlle.com www.masdelprat.com

Sant Joan les Fonts

Santa Pau

Mas Prat de la Plaça La Vall de Bianya

La Vall d'en Bas

El Callís

H 972 68 09 09 C 625 69 27 56

www.casaruralelcallis.com

Les Preses

Hostal Vertisol

972 69 21 48

www.hostalvertisol.com

P*

Les Planes d'Hostoles

Hotel Can Garay

972 44 82 53

www.hotelcangaray.com

H**

La Vall de Bianya

Hotel Mas la Ferreria

972 29 13 45

www.hotelmaslaferreria.com H****

La Vall d'en Bas

Hotel Vall de Bas

972 69 01 01

www.canmorera.com

H****

Fonda Barris

972 69 00 64

www.fondabarris.com

P*

Sant Feliu de Pallerols

Fonda Finet

972 44 40 24

www.fondafinet.com

P*

Santa Pau

Hotel Cal Sastre

972 68 00 95

www.calsastre.com

H**

Hostal Bar Can Menció

972 68 00 14

www.canmencio.com

P**

Hotel Alta Garrotxa

972 28 78 78

www.hotelaltagarrotxa.com

H**

Tortellà

Mas Prat

C 645 90 10 26

www.masprat.net

La Vila / Can Capsec

C 630 19 76 72

www.cancapsec.com

Mas Cal Xai

C 649 13 36 60

www.canxai.com

NEAR LA GARROTXA

La Xiquella, formatges i turisme rural Ca la Remei i Can Benet

C 667 42 10 65

www.laxiquella.cat

Albanyà

www.marededeudelmont.com P*

www.aiguabella.com

Hostatgeria Mare de Déu del Mont

972 19 30 74

C 620 58 79 76

Mestrehumà

C 649 20 69 53

www.fina.cat/can-mestrehuma

Camprodon

Hostal El Forn

972 74 12 30

www.elforndebeget.com

P**

Can Piqué

C 679 41 36 80

www.canpique.org

Mas Rubió

H 650 62 01 03

Susqueda

www.colldecondreu.com

P*

Mas Garganta

H 677 44 02 76

www.masgarganta.com

Pensió Bar Restaurant Coll de Condreu Pensió Restaurant Santuari del Far

972 44 43 19

www.masrubio.com

972 19 01 69

www.santuaridelfar.com

P**

El Ferrés

H 972 69 00 29

www.elferres.com

Hotel - Apartament L'Avenc

93 881 61 59

www.avenc.com

El Bosquet

H 618 65 21 60

www.elbosquet.com

Can Riera Casa Rural

H 686 30 34 06

www.canriera.es

Mas Les Comelles

H 628 61 77 59

www.maslescomelles.cat

Tavertet

European Charter for sustainable tourism in protected areas

Members of the culinary group Cuina Volcànica

H Rooms C Houses

H-A***

Service guide RESTAURANTS

RESTAURANTS Font Moixina

972 26 10 00

www.fontmoixina.com

Riudaura

Ca la Pilar

618 35 12 25

Hostal dels Ossos

972 26 61 34

www.hostaldelsossos.com

Sales de Llierca

Hostal de Sadernes

972 68 70 77

La Deu

972 26 10 04

www.ladeu.es

Sant Feliu de Pallerols Fonda Finet

La Quinta Justa

972 27 12 09

www.laquintajusta.cat

Sant Ferriol

L'Arcada de Fares

972 59 08 55

www.arcadadefares.com

St. Feliu de Pallerols

Ca la Matilde

972 44 42 69

www.facebook.com/calamatilde

Sant Jaume de Llierca

El Collet

972 68 77 09

www.restaurantelcollet.com

Santa Pau

Can Xel

972 68 02 11

www.canxel.com

Sant Joan les Fonts

La Font del Grèvol

972 29 20 61

La Vall d'en Bas

L'Hostalet

972 69 00 06

www.restaurantlhostalet.com

Santa Pau

Cal Sastre

972 68 04 21

El nou Entrecot

972 07 25 02

Olot

Sant Miquel

972 69 01 23

Castell de Besalú

872 20 80 40

La Francesa

972 26 22 41

Portal del Mar

661 22 79 18

www.fondafinet.com

www.calsastre.com

www.lafrancesa.cat

Ca la Mercè

972 29 04 72

www.facebook.com/castelldebesalu

Ca la Nàsia

972 29 02 00

www.calanasia.cat

972 29 00 15

www.restaurantcalenric.cat

La Vall de Bianya Besalú

972 44 40 24

Castellfollit de la Roca

Ca La Paula

972 29 40 32

www.fondacalapaula.com

Ca l'Enric

Mieres

Can Met

972 68 02 01

http://restaurantcanmet.wixsite.com/canmet

Ca La Carmelita

972 69 32 56

www.calacarmelita.com

La Garrotxa

972 68 20 78

www.restaurantlagarrotxa.com

Can Danés

972 29 09 98

www.candanes.com

Ca l'Esteve

972 69 06 00

www.braseriaesteve.com

Can Morera

972 69 48 02

www.canmorera.com

Can Turó

972 69 34 52

Fonda Barris

972 69 00 64

Olot

B-Crek Entrepans

972 26 83 37

www.bcrek.com

B-Crek Restaurant

972 26 83 37

www.bcrek.com

Ca l'Adri

972 26 20 01

Cafè Europa

972 27 31 13

Cal Fuster

972 27 14 90

www.cafeeuropa.cat

Can Guix

972 26 10 40

Can Vergés

972 26 10 34

www.canverges.cat

El 9 Volcanet

972 27 28 32

www.elvolcanet.com

El fortí del volcà Montsacopa 690 08 31 90

www.elforti.cat

El Mig

972 27 02 98

Els Amolls

972 26 75 21

www.amolls.com

Els Catòlics

972 26 15 52

www.elscatolicsolot.cat

Hostal de Pagès

972 26 07 09

www.hostaldepages.com

La Brasera

972 27 26 11

www.canmorera.com/ca/restaurant-la-brasera/ www.facebook.com/RestaurantLaCanal

La Canal

972 26 95 09

La Cuina de l'Orfeó

972 26 96 66

La Cuina del Mercat

972 28 01 20

www.restaurantolot.com

La Fageda

972 27 38 11

www.campinglafageda.com/calbar-restaurant

La Perla

972 26 23 26

www.hotellaperlaolot.com

La Tintoreria

972 28 04 30

La Vermuteria d'Olot

640 23 36 89

La Vila

972 26 98 07

L'Entrepà

972 26 71 13

www.pensiolavila.com

L'Estació

972 26 10 07

www.hotelolot.com

Les Cols

972 26 92 09

www.lescols.com

Les Olletes Brasa Restaurant 972 26 18 18

Les Planes d'Hostoles

Les Preses

Les Pedretes

972 26 52 65

Lògic Restaurant

972 28 04 48

www.restaurantlespedretes.com

Pizzeria Torino

972 26 97 48

www.restaurantpizzeriatorino.com

Quims Restaurant Bar

686 87 13 77

quims-restaurant.business.site

Riu Fluvià

972 26 94 44

www.riufluvia.es

Umami

972 27 65 71

Fonda Arnau- Restaurant Can Remena

972 44 80 12

Hostal del Fang

972 43 10 05

hostaldelfang.blogspot.com.es

La Curenya

972 11 77 72

www.lacurenya.cat

La Torre dels Til·lers

972 44 80 10

www.torretil-lers.com

Mas el Siubès

972 98 01 87

www.maselsiubes.com

Quinze Ous

689 62 01 31

www.quinzeous.com

Vertisol

972 69 21 48

www.hostalvertisol.com

European Charter for sustainable tourism in protected areas

La Vall d’en Bas

Members of the culinary group Cuina Volcànica

H Rooms C Houses

www.fondabarris.com

NEAR LA GARROTXA Albanyà

Mare de Déu del Mont

972 19 30 74

www.marededeudelmont.com

Amer

Bar Snack Torrent

972 43 00 73

www.snackbartorrent.com

Camprodon

Hostal El Forn

972 74 12 30

www.elforndebeget.com

Cantonigròs

Ca La Rotllada

93 856 50 24

www.calarotllada.com

Rocabruna

Can Po

972 74 10 45

Susqueda

Coll de Condreu

972 44 43 19

Bar Restaurant Santuari del Far

972 19 01 69

www.colldecondreu.com www.santuaridelfar.com

31

BARS Olot

6T7

972 27 28 76

Bufador

972 26 39 01

Ca la Paquita

972 28 06 81

Cafeteria Roc

972 27 25 44

Cal Txe

972 26 66 39

Can Xena

972 26 16 01

Club - Menjars

972 26 16 05

Dit i Fet

972 28 29 71

Eko

872 02 29 32

www.clubcanpelaio.com

El Cafè del Firal

678 91 05 93

El Celler

972 27 54 80

Frankfurt El Farolet

972 26 23 99

www.frankfurtelfarolet.com

Hostal del Sol

972 26 78 79

www.hostaldelsol.net

La Barra d'en Regue

SHOPS, WORKSHOPS AND WINE AND FOOD MATCHING La Nevateria

972 27 27 45

www.lanevateria.cat

Cafeteria Ferrer Xocolata

972 26 08 93

www.ferrerxocolata.cat

972 27 17 05

Morera. Productes naturals i ecològics

972 69 34 08

www.grupmorera.com

L'Altre Manolo

972 26 37 16

Cropic's pastisseria

972 27 11 51

www.cropicspastisseria.com

L'Ansat

972 27 13 05

647 93 41 73

L'Arcada

Tallers d'autor Mas Masclet

972 27 32 06

L'Aroma del Te

Agrobotiga Verntallat

972 69 01 19

www.verntallat.cat

972 27 23 14

L'Oficina

972 26 97 24

972 69 20 23

bicicletes.atma.cat

Moment Bus C

972 27 65 28

Monicar

972 26 95 35

Nou Firalet

972 28 04 34

Pekín

972 26 03 31

Sa Dragonera

628 27 18 84

Santa Pau

Can Pauet

972 68 01 16

La Vall de Bianya

Can Danés

972 29 09 98

Olot

La Vall d'en Bas

ACTIVITIES www.elfiralet.cat

Olot

Centre Logístic de Bicicletes, lloguer de bicicletes

eBikes eQuillet - eQuaid Club Hípic, lloguer de bicicletes 657 80 89 22 Les Planes d'Hostoles Risum, ioga i marxa nòrdica Bicicarril.com, lloguer de bicicletes

www.candanes.com

Les Preses Sant Ferriol Santa Pau

ebikes.equillet.com

677 27 43 20

www.risum.cat

972 43 04 13

www.bicicarril.com

Escola de Parapent i Paramotor Vol Factory 622 87 88 74

www.volfactory.com

Rucs i Someres, passejades en burro català 609 30 49 94

www.rucsisomeres.com

Zona BTT Bikestation

605 22 79 78

www.guiesnordsud.cat

Coaching Altitude Team Building & Outdoor Training

620 88 29 47

www.coaching-altitude.net

Vol de Coloms, vols en globus aerostàtic

972 68 02 55

www.voldecoloms.com

Activitats Garrotxa, carruatges i trenet turístic 972 68 03 58

www.activitatsgarrotxa.com

Naturatours, rutes en segway

610 92 83 56

www.segwaygarrotxa.cat

www.planeses.cat

VISITS TO FARMS Sant Ferriol

Planeses Agricultura Regenerativa

658 86 88 60

Sant Joan les Fonts

Porcs casolans Corominas

972 29 22 29

www.porcscasolanscorominas.com

Santa Pau

La Fageda Fundació

972 68 10 11

www.fageda.com

La Vall d'en Bas

La Xiquella, formatges i turisme rural

667 71 80 04

www.laxiquella.cat

Mas la Coromina - Granja ATO. Acompanya'ns un dia a pagès

699 74 67 52

www.maslacoromina.com

Menja'm elaboració pròpia i agrobotiga

972 69 09 29

www.menjam.cat

TRAVEL AGENCIES Olot

Trescàlia

972 26 46 15

www.trescalia.com

Santa Pau

Nit i Vol

972 68 02 55

www.nitivol.com

European Charter for sustainable tourism in protected areas

Members of the culinary group Cuina Volcànica

H Rooms C Houses

Service guide MUSEUMS Besalú

Olot

Sant Joan les Fonts

ASSOCIATIONS Associació d'Hostalatge de la Garrotxa

972 27 49 00

www.garrotxahostalatge.cat

Associació d'Allotjaments Rurals de la Garrotxa

972 26 22 41

www.arural.com

Agrupació de Cases de Colònies de la Garrotxa

972 26 52 94

www.coloniesgarrotxa.com

Associació Turisme Rural Garrotxa

872 02 90 70

www.turismeruralgarrotxa.cat

www.olotcultura.cat

Associació de Comerciants d'Olot

972 26 93 01

www.acolot.com

www.olotcultura.cat

Associació de Turisme, Comerç i Activitats de la Vall d'en Bas

972 27 16 00

www.vallbas.com

www.turismesantjoanlesfonts.com

Associació de Placers del Mercat d'Olot

659 12 61 42

www.mercatdolot.cat

972 26 01 52

www.visitagranges.cat

Museu de Miniatures i

Microminiatures de Besalú

972 59 18 42

www.museuminiaturesbesalu.com

Espai Besalú

972 59 12 40

www.besalu.cat

Casa Museu Can Trincheria

972 27 27 77

www.olotcultura.cat

Museu de la Garrotxa

972 27 11 66

www.olotcultura.cat

Museu dels Sants

972 26 67 91

Museu dels Volcans

972 26 67 62

Castell Medieval Estada Juvinyà 972 29 05 07

La Vall de Bianya

Centre d’Interpretació del

972 29 09 33

www.valldebianya.com

Associació Garrotxa Origen del Que Menges (Visita Granges)

La Vall d'en Bas

Can Trona. Centre de Cultura

972 69 21 77

www.cantrona.cat

TOURIST OFFICES

Paisatge de la Vall de Bianya

i Natura de la Vall d'en Bas

Besalú

Oficina de Turisme

972 59 12 40 Carrer del Pont, 1

Olot

Oficina de Turisme

972 26 01 41 Francesc Fàbregas, 6 www.turismeolot.cat

Casal dels Volcans

972 26 81 12 Av. Santa Coloma, 47 parcsnaturals.gencat.cat/ca/garrotxa

ENVIRONMENTAL AND CULTURAL GUIDE COMPANIES

www.besalu.cat

Besalú

Mike Lockwood, guiatges

972 59 03 27

www.walkingcatalonia.net

Les Preses

Oficina de Turisme

972 69 49 04 Antiga Estació, s/n

www.lespreses.cat

Mieres

En Ruta Girona, visites guiades

656 63 44 40

www.enrutagirona.cat

Sant Feliu de Pallerols

Oficina de Turisme

972 44 44 74 Ctra. d'Olot, 43

www.santfeliudepallerols.cat

Olot

Educart, guiatges culturals

972 90 38 22

www.educart.biz

Sant Joan les Fonts

Oficina de Turisme

972 29 05 07 Carrer Sant Pere, 2

www.turismesantjoanlesfonts.com

TOSCA, Serveis Ambientals

616 13 25 03

www.tosca.cat

Santa Pau

Oficina de Turisme

972 68 03 49 Plaça Major, 1

www.santapau.cat

Guies de Natura la Garrotxa

972 26 46 15

www.escoladenatura.org

Can Passavent

972 19 50 94 Volcà del Croscat

parcsnaturals.gencat.cat/ca/garrotxa

Can Serra

972 19 50 74 Fageda d'en Jordà

parcsnaturals.gencat.cat/ca/garrotxa

Oficina de Turisme

972 69 21 77 Joanetes, Can Trona

www.vallbas.cat

d'Educació i Turisme

Corriol, serveis educatius

649 09 03 31

www.corriolserveis.com

Verd Volcànic, associació per a

972 26 46 15

www.verdvolcanic.cat

l'educació ambiental i cultural

TRANSPORT

Sant Feliu de Pallerols Natura i Màgia, guiatges

650 97 09 60

www.naturaimagia.com

Sant Jaume de Llierca

elCampObase, Guies de muntanya i barrancs de la Garrotxa i els Pirineus

680 57 67 64

www.elcampobase.com

La Vall d'en Bas

Guies de Muntanya i

615 23 34 42

www.guiesamadablam.com

amb i sense màgia

Barrancs Ama Dablam El Refugi, Escola de Natura i Muntanya

European Charter for sustainable tourism in protected areas

La Vall d'en Bas

654 44 92 21

Members of the culinary group Cuina Volcànica

Som Mobilitat, vehicles elèctrics compartits

www.sommobilitat.coop

Taxi Tour Garrotxa

699 73 73 01

www.taxitourgarrotxa.com

Trens

902 32 03 20

www.renfe.com

Autobusos

972 20 02 75

www.teisa-bus.com

Aeroport de Girona

902 40 47 04

www.aena.es

www.elrefugi.org

H Rooms C Houses

the land of volcanoes www.facebook.com/garrotxa

@turismegarrotxa

www.turismegarrotxa.com

@turismegarrotxa

LET’S SHARE

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Roman road of Capsacosta

27 points of interest in La Garrotxa

46

1 Llierca bridge

14-15

2

1

Romanesque of Maià de Montcal and Beuda

56-57

4

8

5 6 7

3 Romanesque of Bianya

12 13 14

48-49

15

Protected natural area

4

16

Urban zone

Via Verda d el C

Alta Garrotxa Area of Natural Interest

t rile ar

Via Verda d el C

La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park

t rile ar

GI-524

17

Volcanoes

Old Monastery of St. Joan les Fonts

21

PuigpardinesPuigpardines

Highway

Main roads Secondary roads

14-15 50-51

GI-524

19

Carrilet cycle lane Olot-Girona

20

22

23

Way of Saint James

Royal way Vic-Olot

Capsacosta roman road

24

50-51

25

6

7

Basalt cliff at Castellfollit de la Roca

Sant Pere and Sant Vicenç de Besalú

14-15 54-55

8

Mikveh and synagogue of Besalú

14 54-55

14-15 54-55

9

27 26

Old Bridge of Besalú

22 52

arrilet del C

14 50-51

arrilet del C

Basaltic flows of St. Joan les Fonts

Juvinyà castle

V i a Verda

V i a Verda

5

10

11

Parc Nou and La Moixina marshes

Montsacopa volcano

Olot Old Town

22 38-39

20-21 38-39

12

38-39 40-41

13

14 Batet de la Serra

38-39 58-59

15 Sant Eudald de Jou

2

Pedra Tosca Park

3

42 60-61

3 11 9 10

16 Croscat volcano

58-59

17 Villages of La Vall d'en Bas

Santa Pau Old Town

18

Puig Rodó, Serra del Corb

24-25 58-59

16-17 24-25 53 62

19

18 Fageda d’en Jordà

21

Rocanegra volcano

25

23

St. Marc and Puig Roig volcanoes

Pools of Les Planes d'Hostoles

64-65

16-17 18-19 49 64-65

53-62

58-59

58-59

22

Sant Feliu de Pallerols Old Town

24

20

Sta. Margarida volcano

58-59 60-61

Old trail Vic - Olot

21-22 58-59 60-61

26

20-21 66

27

The ten essences of Olot

Volcà del Racó i Parc Nou

Olot and its

volcanoes Rediscover nature in the heart of the city. The urban layout of Olot is set around one of the most famous volcanoes: Montsacopa. What is also known as the Sant Francesc volcano reminds you that you are in volcano country and in a district where the landscape will surprise you with every step you take. Montsacopa is also a great vantage point. Only a few minutes’ gentle stroll from the centre, and you will be given some impressive views of the city.

The spectacular pits on Montsacopa volcano, old areas where volcanic lapilli was mined, show the inside of the volcano and the materials indicate that the volcano formed several thousand years ago was caused by a relatively small eruption, in which a large part of the volcanic cone was formed by the splattering and falling of volcanic lapilli and bombs, followed by a very mild eruptive phase, in which a lava flow ran north-east, and then a very explosive eruptive phase that caused the round crater.

Walking around the volcanic cone, you will see different panoramic views of the neighbourhoods in Olot and other points of special interest, such as La Garrinada volcano, Aiguanegra mountains and the summits of the Puigsacalm, Bassegoda or La Mare de DĂŠu del Mont. On your walk around Montsacopa, you will come to the hermitage of Sant Francesc, built at the end of the Peninsular War on the site of an old military building, and the watchtowers that were erected during the era of the Carline Wars.

But Olot has even more volcanoes! If the visit to Montsacopa has awoken an interest in volcanoes, then we suggest you head for Montolivet volcano, following a signposted route through the city, up the volcano and back to the city centre along the FluviĂ river. You can also visit Les Bisaroques volcano that is only a few minutes from the city centre.

Montsacopa volcano

39

s s i m t ’ n Do

Do not miss the 360º virtual reality glasses, with which you can see what the city was like in the past. You will find them in the restaurant located in the Montsacopa volcano crater.

Parc Nou, an urban park with four hectares of greenery and elements of classic English landscape gardening, a botanical garden of local flora and a huge common oak forest, a garden of medicinal plants and the Museu dels Volcans (Volcano Museum) that will give you an insight into the volcanic phenomena, earthquakes and ecosystems of La Garrotxa.

The La Moixina marshes, located near Parc Nou, are an area of wetlands with a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Hermitage of Sant Francesc

Tourism for everyone

People with mobility difficulties wishing to visit Montsacopa volcano by vehicle must request authorisation by e-mail at turisme@olot.cat several days in advance. More info: 972 26 01 41 (Olot Tourist Office)

RELATED ROUTES · Volcà del Montsacopa i de Montolivet (Itinerànnia) · Camins de pedra tosca (Itinerànnia) · Volcà del Racó i Parc Nou (Itinerànnia) · Circuit dels volcans, laves i antics llacs (Itinerànnia) · Els camins dels carlins (Itinerànnia) · Pels vells camins de Batet (Itinerànnia) · Volcà de les Bisaroques i font de les Tries (Itinerànnia) · Cursa de la Moixina (Itinerànnia) · Olot - Santa Pau. (Itinerari 3 Parc Natural)

more information Volcans d’Olot

VO

www.garrotxacultour.com

Map of walking and cycling routes in La Garrotxa

http://en.turismegarrotxa.com/proposals-and-excursions/

Hotel - Apartament - Restaurant

Olot

For everyone, all year round www.hotellaperlaolot.com

Tel. 972 262 326 reserva@laperlahotels.com

Olot, an explosion of culture Museu de la Garrotxa

Volcanoes, crafts and art and landscape. There is probably no better way of learning about and understanding the natural environment, the society, the culture and the tradition of Olot than through its museums.

The Museu dels Volcans (Volcano Museum) shows how the volcanic area of La Garrotxa was formed; you will learn about the local flora and fauna, you can feel an earthquake on the earthquake simulator, and you can visit the Jardí Botànic de Vegetació Natural Olotina (Botanical Garden of Olot Plantlife) and the common oak grove, some examples of which are over 250 years old.

Large-format theatre, unconventional plays on Thursdays at the LAP, family activities, music concerts of all types (classical, traditional, rock, pop or the Olot Jazz cycle that brings internationally famous bands to the city every year), circus, dance, temporary exhibitions on different subject matters, and talks on science, history, arts, etc. Olot Cultura offers an extensive programme each year, with proposals designed for all audiences.

The Museu dels Sants (Saints Museum) provides an insight into this odd industry that is so characteristic of Olot. Inside you will enter a busy workshop with craftspeople modelling, polishing, painting and decorating the figures with the same handcrafted technique that has been used since time immemorial.

The collection of avant-garde Cigarrillos París posters, the landscapingthe landscaping of Joaquim and Marian Vayreda and Josep Berga i Boix, the sculptures of Josep Clarà, Miquel Blay or La càrrega by Ramon Casas are just a small example of what can be seen at the Museu de la Garrotxa (La Garrotxa Museum). Do not miss a visit to the Casa-Museu Can Trincheria (Can Trincheria House-Museum) to learn how a well-to-do family from Olot lived in the 18th and 19th century. A real gem with free entry that is open all day.

Lluèrnia

Shopping in Olot

41

Right in the heart of the city, next to the church of Sant Esteve, the Saints Museum and Montsacopa volcano, is the Plaça Mercat (Market Square) and Olot shopping centre, where you will find more than 300 establishments of all kinds and for all tastes.

The commercial cluster has become a large outdoor shopping area for quality purchases based on convenience and a friendly service. One-hundred-year-old establishments, innovative undertakings, craftspeople and local producers with agrifood quality seals coexist alongside each other.

An attractive, dynamic and pleasant centre, where you can take a stroll and shop at the same time.

Passeig de Miquel Blay

The Plaça Mercat (Plaça Hospital, 3) is a benchmark in Olot, where good service, the diversity of local products and the unbeatable facilities characterise its identity and authenticity.

The Associació de Comerciants d’Olot (Merchants’ Association of Olot) and the Associació de Placers (Association of Stallholders) work together all year round on activities to promote the city, such as Botiga al carrer (February/August), Emprimavera’t (April), Fira del Primer de Maig (First of May Fair), Olot Shopping Nit (June) or the Christmas campaign.

Olot autèntic

OA

www.garrotxacultour.com Plaça Mercat

Besalú 6

Olot 1 2 3 4 5 Santa Pau Les Preses

RCR Arquitectes Route A team of architects, RCR, has placed La Garrotxa at the forefront of architecture. Their unique skill of marrying the landscape and architecture has been rewarded by many different awards, including the prestigious Pritzker Prize (2017).

Athletics Stadium

The style of work of the team, formed by Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem and Ramon Vilalta, is marked by geography, landscape and culture. This undertaking has resulted in architecture that honours and values its origins, whilst enjoying a significant amount of formal freedom that is able to combine the interpreting of the location with worldwide references and influences, turning their designs into universal architecture.

La Garrotxa is home to different examples of the work of this team of architects. As well as Les Colls restaurant and pavilions*, 1 Olot also hosts the Tossols-Basil bathing pavilion, 2 a discreet, elegant building located alongside the Fluvià river that adapts to the course of the river and the colours of its environment, and the athletics stadium, 3 hidden in the middle of a hundred-year-old oak forest with facilities that blend in with the surrounding topography. (*) Private space

NEXT ROUTES · Volcà del Montsacopa i de Montolivet (Itinerànnia) · Ruta dels camins de pedra tosca (Itinerànnia) · Ruta del Carrilet: la via verda http://en.turismegarrotxa.com/proposals-and-excursions/

A short distance away in Les Preses is Pedra Tosca Park, 4 where the team worked on the landscape to mark out a route into an area of dry-stone walls. The work highlights the rugged nature of the environment and is a reminder of what mankind has done in this area.

Another facility that can be visited is Can Serra Information Centre. 5 Located in the car park at La Fageda d’en Jordà beech forest, it really blends in well with the countryside. It is currently home to one of the information facilities of La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park.

"Finally, you can also visit the multicolored exterior of "El petit Comte" kindergarten in Besalú 6

Olot Cultura Cultural activities all year round!

WE PROPOSE

A VARIETY OF HIGH-QUALITY ACTIVITIES

AND EVENTS EVERY WEEK

TO SUIT ALL TASTES AND AUDIENCES. See the programme at www.olotcultura.cat

From Oix to Vall del Bac This is a hard, demanding route through some of the roughest countryside in Alta Garrotxa. The circular route starts in the centre of Oix and runs through some of the most attractive spots of Alta Garrotxa, through Scots pine forests mixed with box trees, holm oaks, oaks and open areas, such as meadows, cropland and scrubland.

Located right in the heart of Alta Garrotxa, Oix is the largest village in this natural area. This small village, which is home to around one hundred people, has an extremely relevant cultural heritage.

Oix bridge was built in medieval times and has a large semicircular arch, possibly on the site of the remains of an older bridge. Legend has it that the lord of the Quera de Talaixà country house was heading for Santa Bàrbara de Pruneres to exercise his lord’s rights over the local maidens. A downpour prevented him from crossing the Oix river and, therefore, he ordered the bridge to be built.

Oix castle was built in the 15th century alongside the village centre and was where the lord and lady of Bestrecà set up residence, as they had been attacked and looted by the remences (Catalan serfs) in the fortress, where they had previously been living.

The parish church of Sant Llorenç d'Oix, located in the village itself, is a Romanesque construction with just one nave and a ribbed tunnel vault, a semicircular apse to the east and a sawtooth frieze broken up by ornamental corbels, a cornice and a central window with two arches.

The route starts at the top of the main street known as Carrer Major in Oix, where you will see the signpost indicating “Hostal de la vall del Bac 3 h 20 min”. Follow the trail to the turn-off to Cal Quic. Head towards Vall del Bac through El Quer forest, following the signposts (“Hostal de la vall del Bac: 2 h 20 min). The footpath runs alongside the river and past the El Saguer de Pera house, where there is another crossroads. Carry straight on towards “Hostal de la vall de Bac: 1 h”.

Pass the Hostal de la Vall del Bac, follow the tarmacked trail until you cross a stream and then take the path on your left. As you approach Toralles, you will see the Bassegoda, the Montpetit and the summit of the Montmajor. A little further on you will pass alongside Cal Quic and, shortly afterwards, you will come to the crossroads you found on the outbound journey, where you return to Oix along the same path.

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RELATED ROUTES 61 90

Oix La Vall del Bac

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more information 91

Olot

Ruta Grau d’Escales (Itinerànnia) Itinerari de Bestracà i Sant Miquel d’Hortmoier (Itinerànnia) De l’Hostal de la Vall del Bac a Sant Andreu de Porreres (Itinerànnia)

Itinerari Oix - Vall del Bac (Itinerari 2 Alta Garrotxa)

Map of walking and cycling routes in La Garrotxa

? w o n k Did you

http://ca.turismegarrotxa.com/propostes-i-rutes

Pont i castell d'Oix

Hostal de la Vall del Bac, which is currently closed, was the place where both locals and hunters and hikers stopped and ate to build their strength, and a traditional place for meetings and pilgrimages.

No wonder – remember that decades ago La Vall del Bac had been the most inhabited valley in Alta Garrotxa and an obligatory thoroughfare for livestock during transhumance.

The Capsacosta

Roman road

La Vall de Bianya Capsacosta Roman road Olot

A good way of reaching La Vall de Bianya is to walk the Capsacosta Roman road. Transited since time immemorial, in recent years this road was used to drive cattle in summer to their high Pyrenean pastures. Constructed by the Romans as a branch of the great Via Augusta that led from Rome across the Pyrenees and into southern Spain, it was once the only link between the valleys of Bianya and Camprodon.

The only remaining Roman part of this road that still exists is a 8-km stretch that runs from Sant Pau de Segúries (in El Ripollès) to the Pas dels Traginers in La Vall de Bianya (La Garrotxa). Nevertheless, a lot of this stretch is still paved and the gutters, bridges, water deposits, and associated quarries and hostels are still perfectly visible.

Walk this route with its many hidden charms and travel back 2,000 years in time!

more information 34

Via romana de Capsacosta des de Sant Salvador de Bianya o pas dels Traginers. (Itinerànnia)

Via Romana

VR

www.garrotxacultour.com

Map of walking and cycling routes in La Garrotxa

http://en.turismegarrotxa.com/proposals-and-excursions/

Mas la Ferreria, Santa Margarida La Vall de Bianya (Garrotxa) T +34 972 29 13 45 www.hotelmaslaferreria.com @maslaferreria

@maslaferreria

/maslaferreria

The Romanesque churches of la Vall de Bianya The 15 Romanesque churches scattered throughout the Vall de Bianya provide this valley with touches of great beauty and are testimony to the way of life of the people that live there.

The route begins in La Canya and visits the val-leys of Bianya, Sant Ponç and Bac before return-ing to La Canya. We recommend you take three whole days to visit all the churches, as well as all the other historical, cultural, architectural and natural features that you will discover along the ancient trails of La Vall de Bianya.

This route takes visitors along the Roman road of Capsacosta and past a variety of old farmhouses, some exhibiting the characteristics of local architecture, some the delights of the much more recent Art Nouveau. The valley also boasts exuberant natural landscapes of forest and meadows, which walkers can enjoy at leisure as they follow Bianya’s waymarked footpaths.

Highly recommended is a visit to the Vall de Bianya Landscape Interpretation Centre in Sant Salvador de Bianya. This interpretation and information centre for the valley offers visitors exhibitions, the chance to purchase local products, an audiovisual display and a pedagogical workshop, and is also the starting point for guided visits to Sant Salvador de Bianya, the valley’s Romanesque churches and the Roman Road.

? w o n k Did you

Many churches of the municipality to come off severely spoiled in the 15th century due to the earthquakes. The strongest were produced on the 15th March of 1427 and on the 2nd February of 1428.

ss i m t ’ n o D

If you decide to visit in mid-February you will also be able to visit the Fira del Farro in La Vall de Bianya, a gastronomical fair with examples of all the most typical culinary features of the comarca.

49 Sant Andreu de Porreres

Sant Miquel de la Torre

Sant Feliu del Bac Santa Magdalena del Coll Santa Maria de Sacot

Santa Maria de Castellar de la Muntanya

Sant Martí del Clot Sant Ponç d’Aulina

Sant Martí de Capsec

Sant Martí de Solamal

Santa Margarida de Bianya

Sant Andreu de Socarrats

Sant Miquel del Mont

La Vall de Bianya Olot

RELATED ROUTES 43 32 21 51 13 91

De l'Hostal de la Vall del Bac a St. Andreu de Porreres per la Torre. (Itinerànnia) De Sant Pere Despuig al Pont de la Rovira passant pel Molí d'en Solà. (Itinerànnia) De l'Hostalnou a Sta. Margarida de Bianya i la Torre de St. Pere. (Itinerànnia) Sant Miquel del Mont, el mirador de la Vall de Bianya. (Itinerànnia) Itinerari de la via verda de la Vall de Bianya.

Vall del Bac - Oix. (Itinerari 2 Consorci Alta Garrotxa.)

more information Ermites Romàniques

ER

www.garrotxacultour.com

Map of walking and cycling routes in La Garrotxa

http://en.turismegarrotxa.com/proposals-and-excursions/ Sant Salvador de Bianya

Sant Joan les Fonts,

from the lava flows to the medieval heritage Located to the north of La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, Sant Joan les Fonts has a combination of nature and culture that makes it a very unique village. It is home to a large number of points of interest, from spectacular basalt formations to top-class Romanesque buildings.

The route starts at the Tourist Office located alongside the medieval bridge. From here, climb the steps up to the vantage point at Molí Fondo, from where you can see the old paper factory that used water power to move its machinery and a large basalt wall formed by three lava flows spewed out from different volcanoes thousands of years ago.

The large amount of lava in the second flow caused a tunnel or blister – a unique formation in the volcanic zone of La Garrotxa and in continental Europe –, the remains of which can be seen alongside the lock.

The route takes you to the old El Boscarró quarry, at the top of which had been an Iberian settlement, the spectacular Fontfreda cliffs and the area of Verlets, from where you return to Sant Joan along a path that runs through wetlands and cropland.

If you return to the starting point, the medieval bridge of Sant Joan, and you cross it to head towards the village, you will be able to see most of its cultural heritage.

Follow Carrer de Santa Magdalena to the right to reach Juvinyà Castle, a medieval fortified manor house that is now home to the Territori de Sant Joan les Fonts Interpretation Centre.

Head for the bridge and, in the Plaça Major square, you will come to the path the leads to the church of the old medieval monastery. This is a Romanesque building in the form of a basilica with three naves that contains a replica of La Majestat de Sant Joan les Fonts, a multi-coloured wood carving from the 12th century.

? w o n k u Did yo

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The cliffs were formed by the overlapping of different lava flows. When it solidifies, lava turns into a very hard rock known as basalt. During the cooling process, lava contracts, cracks and is shaped into columns and slabs.

Tourism for everyone

Sant Joan les Fonts

Molí Fondo - Boscarró (Sant Joan les Fonts): The route is made up of a set of educational panels and supporting material for people with visual impairment. The aim is to help with the interpreting of each of the points on the route.

RELATED ROUTES

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Castellfollit-Begudà-Sant Joan les Fonts. (Itinerànnia)

more information 18 24

Ruta de les Fonts i Verlets (Itinerànnia) Ruta de les Tres Colades - Cingleres basàltiques (Itinerari 16 Parc Natural + Itinerànnia) Colades de Lava

Ruta Medieval

CL RM

www.garrotxacultour.com

Map of walking and cycling routes in La Garrotxa

Juvinyà castle

http://en.turismegarrotxa.com/proposals-and-excursions/

The village of Castellfollit de la Roca sits atop a basalt cliff formed by two overlapping lava flows.

Along the route through the village, you will be given an up-close view of a basalt cliff that is spectacular not only because of its height, but also the houses built right on its edge.

Basalt cliff of Castellfollit de la Roca

The basalt cliff of Castellfollit de la Roca

The route starts on Plaça Nova square in Castellfollit de la Roca, right in the old centre of the village, where there is a free car park. Continue along Carrer Major until you reach the clock tower at the town hall. Built in 1925, it contains a sculpture of Sant Roc, the patron saint of the village, the village coat of arms and a fountain. Follow the road downhill to some steps down to the bridge, which you cross.

the Via Augusta. It is worth going to the vantage point on the cliff to enjoy the panoramic view of the Fluvià valley and Alta Garrotxa. You can also climb the bell tower of the old church of Sant Salvador, from where you are given a good view of the village.

Follow a path down toward the vegetable gardens and then a tarmacked street to the footbridge over the Fluvià river. From here, you can see the basalt cliff face, dominated by column structures with the odd slab to show that the lava had cooled down when the flow was no longer moving and, therefore, did not crack.

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After crossing the footbridge, continue walking through the vegetable gardens until you reach a small rebuilt Romanesque bridge over the Toronell river, the bed of which is covered with basalt. Cross the bridge and walk up to the village along part of the Via Annia, a Roman road that connected El Ripollès and La Garrotxa with

Tourism for everyone

Castellfollit de la Roca has signs in Braille at different points of the old part of the village.

Follow Carrer Major towards the town hall until you are back on Plaça Nova square.

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Castellfollit-Begudà-Sant Joan les Fonts (Itinerànnia) (Map on page 51)

more information

· Itinerari cingleres de Castellfollit de la Roca (Itinerari 13 Parc Natural) Colades de Lava

Miradors de la Garrotxa

CL MG

www.garrotxacultour.com Map of walking and cycling routes in La Garrotxa

http://en.turismegarrotxa.com/proposals-and-excursions/

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One of the major cultural routes in Europe, the Way of Saint James, is signposted so that you can reach the main points of historic interest in the region on foot.

Sant Simplici chapel

The Way of Saint James It starts in Sant Pere de Rodes and connects with the Aragonese part of the Way of Saint James in Fraga, La Franja. A short yet interesting part of this route passes through La Garrotxa, along the El Carrilet greenway.

The part of the Way of Saint James that runs through La Garrotxa starts in Les Planes d’Hostoles and continues towards El Grau, through Sant Feliu de Pallerols and Sant Esteve d’en Bas. To reach the town of Vic, the waymarking takes walkers on the climb from Els Hostalets d’en Bas to L’Hostal del Grau via Falgars, although another option is to follow

RELATED ROUTES · Ruta del Carrilet: la via verda (Itinerànnia) · Per l'altiplà del Collsacabra (Itinerànnia) · Esmorzars de forquilla a partir de les 9h · Dinars de 13h a 16h · Sopars per encàrrec · Menús per a grups Obert de dimecres a diumenge i dies festius Disposem de salons privats per a celeracions CUINA DE LA TERRA · CELEBRACIONS ESPECIALS ESPECIALITATS DE BACALLÀ · EXCURSIONS Ctra. de Les Encies, s/n · Les Planes d’Hostoles· 972 98 01 87 restaurant@maselsiubes.com · www.maselsiubes.com

the Itinerànnia markings and follow the old paved trail linking Olot and Vic, which still preserves its old cobbles and that leads directly to L’Hostal del Grau.

The Way of Saint James is marked with the blue signposting used throughout Europe, along with a representation of a scallop shell. Some parts of this route are also marked with the yellow arrows that indicate all the different stretches of the Way. These marks have been painted by the Friends of the Way of Saint James Association, but should not be confused with the markings of the Itinerànnia network (which are not as arrow-shaped).

Camí de Sant Jaume

CSJ

more information www.garrotxacultour.com

Map of walking and cycling routes in La Garrotxa

http://en.turismegarrotxa.com/proposals-and-excursions/

Jewish Besalú

1) The starting point of this route is the tourist office, before crossing Pont Vell bridge. Despite having been rebuilt several times, its first historic references date back to the 11th century. The bridge is formed by seven arches in a characteristic angular shape, due to the settlement of the columns on the river pebbles.

During medieval times, the county pagus was installed in the fortified tower.

2) Enter the town along Carrer Pont Vell, where you will come to Plaça Abat Oliva square, where you head for Carrer de Rocafort, taking Carrer Abraham des Castlar (one of the most famous Jewish doctors of Besalú along with Bendit des Logar).

3) From Carrer Rocafort, take Carrer Comte Tallaferro to reach Plaça de la Llibertat square. Here, take Carrer Pont Vell again and the road to the religious centre of the call (quarter), where you will find the remains of the synagogue, the mikveh or Jewish purification baths, and archaeological remains of the 13th century call.

4) If you walk down to the river and turn right, you will pass the old medieval wall before reaching La Cúria Reial, which had been the home of a very important Jewish family. It is now home to the Espai Besalú Interpretation Centre, where you can see a fragment of a Jewish tombstone.

In 2013, the archaeological site of Mikveh and the synagogue of Besalú were declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest by the Government of Catalonia.

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Itinerary suitable for people with children.

Suitable in part for people with reduced mobility.

More information: Besalú tourist leaflet Tourist map of La Garrotxa

s s i m t ’ n Do - Besalú, ciutat jueva (Besalú, Jewish town): a weekend devoted to Jewish culture (first weekend in March) - Aquesta nit, Besalú (Tonight, Besalú): dramatised evening visits (every Wednesday in the summer) - European Jewish culture day (www.besalu.cat) - Besalú Medieval (first weekend in September) - You can also take the guided tours of the Mikveh: from Besalú Tourist Office.

Advance booking required on 972 59 12 40 or at turisme@besalu.cat - The traditional cuisine of Besalú in the Besalú Gastronòmica restaurants.

Mikveh

Tourism for everyone

The Medieval town of Besalú: The tourist office has audio guides with an audio description for people with visual impairment. It also informs of any obstacles that might be encountered along the route.

RELATED ROUTES · Fins a l’antic fortificat dels comtes de Besalú: Dosquers (Itinerànnia) · Circuit de Besalú (Itinerànnia)

Besalú Vila Jueva

BVJ

more information www.garrotxacultour.com

Map of walking and cycling routes in La Garrotxa

http://en.turismegarrotxa.com/proposals-and-excursions/

The Romanesque churches of Maià de Montcal and Beuda

Maià de Montcal and Beuda are both good examples of La Garrotxa’s valuable cultural heritage and their wonderful Romanesque churches are the perfect excuse to visit this part of La Garrotxa, close to the border with the neighbouring comarca of the Alt Empordà. This route takes you to nine different churches, all dating from in the 9th-12th centuries.

The route begins in Beuda at Sant Pere de Lligordà, a12th-century church with a south-facing main door, a rectangular nave and a semi-circular apse. We continue on to Santa Maria de Palera, another 12th-century church with a semi-circular east-facing apse whose a nave is covered by a barrelroof reinforced by two transversal arches. It was once home to a Gothic carved alabaster Mother of God, which today is to be found in the Girona Art Museum.

The next point of interest is Sant Sepulcre de Palera, a fascinating 11th-century Romanesque church that was consecrated in 1085. It has a central nave covered by a barrelroof and aisles covered by half-barrel roofs, all supported by rectangular pillars and leading on to their corresponding apses.

Another attraction of this route is the 12th-century church of Sant Feliu de Beuda, well known for its valuable 12th-century font decorated with basrelief figures and blind arches. From here we continue to Santa Maria de Segueró, an 11-th century Romanesque church with a single nave and a polychrome image of the Virgin Mary (14th century) carved in alabaster.

? w o n k u o Did y

This peaceful corner of La Garrotxa has, aside from its numerous religious buildings, a number of Catalonia’s most remarkable manor houses (for example, Noguer de Segueró).

At this point we enter into the municipality of Maià de Montcal with its church of Sant Vicenç, dating from 978. It boasts a rectangular nave and a circular eastfacing apse and singular ironwork on the church door. Next, the route takes us to Santa Magdalena de Maià (13th century), the former church of the old priory of Santa Maria de Jonqueres (13th century), located at the eastern limit of la Garrotxa on the top the hill of Santa Magdalena. It has a barrel roof and an apse with a quarter barrel roof.

Beuda Maia de Montcal Olot

Besalú

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We finish the route at the church of Sant Martí (12th century) in the hamlet of Dosquers, which boasts a single nave with a barrel roof and a semicircular apse. Not far away stands the chapel of Saint Prim and Saint Felicià, along with a generous natural spring that, according to legend, provided water for those carrying the remains of the saints to the monastery of Saint Pere in Besalú.

THE ROUTE How? on foot, bike or car Duration: half day Starting point: Sant Pere de Lligordà How to get there: leave the A26 at Besalú and take the GiV-5234 towards Beuda Observations: the main tourist attractions in this area are signposted More information: Maià de Montcal tourist leaflet / La Garrotxa tourist map Itinerary suitable for people with children

RELATED ROUTES 36 68 35 44 50 12 87

Fins a l’antic fortificat dels comtes de Besalú: Dosquers (Itinerànnia) Circuit de Besalú (Itinerànnia) El balcó de la Garrotxa (Itinerànnia) Ruta del romaní (Itinerànnia) El Mont. (Itinerari 4 Consorci Alta Garrotxa) Lligordà i Palera (Itinerànnia) Castell de Falgars (Itinerànnia)

more information Ermites Romàniques

ER

www.garrotxacultour.com Map of walking and cycling routes in La Garrotxa Sant Sepulcre de Palera

http://en.turismegarrotxa.com/ proposals-and-excursions/

We put Posemthe scenario

Beuda

The nature you desire to enjoy with your family

l’escenari

La màgia la poses tu

You put the magic

www.beuda.cat

Ajuntament de Beuda

Santa Pau

history among volcanoes The medieval town of Santa Pau preserves its extremely interesting walled old town, with greatly marked medieval features and characteristics. Of note is Plaça Major or Firal dels Bous: a porticoed square with an irregular layout and unequal arches that has undeniable personality and that is set around the castle, a large, compact and robust building set at the highest point of the village Also worth visiting is the sober church of Santa Maria and all the narrow alleyways, with tight corners and steep descents, which lead to El Portal del Mar. El Portal del Mar offers a view of the lovely, tempting valleys that surround the town and, as is often the case, are the backdrop to the odd interesting Romanesque church. These include La Mare de Déu dels Arcs, Sant Vicenç del Sallent, Sant Martí Vell and, in an idyllic spot, Sant Miquel Sacot. From Sant Julià del Mont, which is reached after a relatively easy walk, the views of the valleys and the volcanoes is fascinating.

In Santa Pau itself, you can visit the lava flow that can be seen on the bed of the Ser river that crosses the town.

From Santa Pau, you can walk to some of the most unique parts of La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park: Rocanegra volcano, Santa Margarida volcano, La Fageda d’en Jordà beech forest and El Croscat volcano. Very close to El Croscat is the basalt plateau of Batet de la Serra.

Following the path number 3 of Natural Park direction Olot, we arrive in few minutes in the old quarry of Rocanegra volcano. Its eruption was only around 5000 or 6000 years ago.

If we continue on itinerary 3 we will arrive on parking of Santa Margarida Area where we can follow the path number 1 direction Santa Margarida volcano. This volcano renowned by have a little hermitage on the crater, it was formed by a big explosive activity. On the other hand, if we follow the itinerary 15 we will arrive on Croscat volcano.

s s i m t ’ n Do

- “El Fesolaire”, a tasting visit for the whole family that takes you to see the fields of Santa Pau haricot beans and offers a tasting session.

- “La Motxilla de la Blanca”, a self-guided visit around the medieval village of Santa Pau and its surroundings.

Rocanegra volcano

Croscat volcano was created by a calm eruption with lapillus and volcanic bombs accumulation which form the volcanic con. And a second phase more calm which lava flow was descend direction east and caused an open crater.

On this lava flow now we found the famous Fageda d’en Jordà, an exceptional beech forest because it grown on flat land around 550 m and interrupted only by a series of volcanic hummocks (tossols).

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Leaving La Fageda, the path climbs up to Can Batlle mountain and Sant Miquel Sacot, a 11th-century church with a Romanesque layout. From here, walk down to the Sacot plain and along Bassols hill on the south-west slope of Santa Margarida volcano.

more information El Cor del Parc Natrual

CPN

www.garrotxacultour.com Map of walking and cycling routes in La Garrotxa

Santa Margarida volcano suffered a very explosive eruptive phase when its ascending magma hit underground water. The explosion opened up a large circular crater, inside which the Romanesque hermitage that gives its name to the volcano was built. Apart from the crater, which is now a meadow, the rest of the volcano is covered with forests, holm oaks on its southern slope and mixed deciduous trees on the shady side. The route runs down to Santa Margarida Service Area, where it joins Route 3 (Olot-Can Xel-Santa Pau). To enjoy the visit and capture the true essence of this route, we recommend a visit in the spring, summer or winter, given that it is an extremely busy area in the autumn.

Along Route 1 you will find two turn-offs to Route 5, which climbs up to El Colltort castle, a site located in the very heart of the Corb mountain range with fantastic views of the main volcanoes in the area and of Batet plateau.

http://en.turismegarrotxa.com/ proposals-and-excursions/

Tourism for everyone

Santa Pau: ramps and handrails in the alleyways around the castle and the porticoed square.

Fageda d’en Jordà: La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park gives authorisation to enter La Fageda by private vehicles with prior accreditation of the degree of disability.

El Croscat volcano: La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park gives authorisation to enter by vehicle to Can Passavent Information Centre with prior accreditation of the degree of disability.

RELATED ROUTES 8 10 75 79 30 20 73 31 49 70

Grederes del volcà del Croscat (itinerari 15 Parc Natural) Camí Can Blanc - Santa Margarida Per les terres dels barons de Santa Pau (Itinerànnia) Per antics camins de monjos (Itinerànnia) Ruta dels gorgs (Itinerànnia) Ruta de les fonts (Itinerànnia) Ruta dels dos castells (Itinerànnia) La fageda Fosca (Itinerànnia) Olot - Santa Pau (itinerari 3 Parc Natural) Fageda d’en Jordà - volcà Santa Margarida - volcà del Croscat (Itinerànnia)

Les Preses,

dry-stone country The countryside around Les Preses is extremely attractive. Plains and mountains alternate harmoniously with croplands and forests.

One of the most interesting spots is Pedra Tosca Park, located in Bosc de Tosca forest, a rural area that was once farmed by man and that has been recovered as a reminder of the work of our forefathers. The extreme need and tenacity in modifying what was an exceptionally inhospitable area of land, as it was actually a rocky basalt flow with almost no sunlight for crop-growing, led to an exceptional area, in which rocks were lined up to build dry-stone walls to separate cleared land and paths, forming a maze of paths, dry-stone walls, clearings and stone huts. It can be reached on foot or by bike from Les Preses, following the El Carrilet greenway towards Olot.

Another especially interesting area is Puig Rodó, one of the best vantage points of La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park and of Vall d’en Bas. Located near Xenacs Recreational Area at an altitude of 906 metres above sea level, it is one of the highest points of the Corb mountain range. The mountain range is home to exceptional sites, such as the ruins of Colltort castle, Can Tià volcano, the Fageda Fosca beech forest and the Castle and Shrine of Santa Maria de Finestres.

Puig Rodó can be reached on foot along different routes that start in Les Preses. Some of these paths pass El Racó volcano, which is relatively unknown, but very interesting and is located right at the start of the Corb valley.

Two Romanesque hermitages can be visited in Corb valley: Sant Martí del Corb, with some steps and a drinking trough that make it very unique and photogenic, and Sant Miquel del Corb, only a short distance away. If you are entering the valley on foot or by bike, follow the forest trail along a path through cropland that leads to La Fageda d’en Jordà.

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Olot

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Les Preses 42 39 19 11 64 48 25

Circuit dels volcans, laves i antics llacs (Itinerànnia) Pels camins de pedra seca (Itinerànnia) Xenacs pel volcà del Racó i mirador de Puig Rodó (Itinerànnia) Xenacs pel camí de les Barrincoles i mirador de Puig Rodó (Itinerànnia) Ermites del Corb (Itinerànnia) Torre de Murrià (Itinerànnia) Xenacs pel camí dels Bous i mirador de puig Rodó (Itinerànnia) Ruta del Carrilet: la via verda

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Miradors de la Garrotxa

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Sant Martí del Corb Parc de Pedra Tosca

la Vall d'en Bas

a mosaic of landscapes To the south-west of the district in a large agricultural valley: Vall d’en Bas. This valley became a barrage lake a long time ago, after the lava flow from the volcanoes in the area created a kind of natural dam on the Fluvià river at Els Tossols (Olot).

Els Hostalets d'en Bas and Falgars d'en Bas

This flat valley is the largest and most fertile in the whole of Catalonia and is home to picture-postcard villages, such as Els Hostalets d'en Bas, Joanetes and El Mallol. It is also one of the best areas in La Garrotxa to enjoy cycling holidays because of its flatness.

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El Carrilet greenway crosses the valley from north to south, and the most mountainous part, such as Llancers mountain range and Puigsacalm mountain, is the best for routes on foot. The paved trail linking Vic and Olot, especially the Les Marrades section that starts alongside Els Hostalets d’en Bas, is a path worth taking, not only to admire this colossal feat of engineering, but also to enjoy the beech forests, the plateau used as grazing land, the waterfalls and the panoramic views from the area of Falgars, right in the heart of the Transversal mountain range.

The outline of Puigsacalm mountain, the highest peak in La Garrotxa, looks down over a valley dotted with cropland, country houses and agrifood producers. Vall d’en Bas preserves a great agricultural and rural spirit that can be seen up close in Can Trona, Culture and Nature Centre, a museum and cultural facility located in the heart of the valley.

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El mirador de la vall d’en Bas i la Garrotxa (Itinerànnia) Per l’altiplà del Collsacabra (Itinerànnia) Els camins dels carlins (Itinerànnia) Circuit dels volcans, laves i antics llacs (Itinerànnia) Ruta del Carrilet: la via verda.

Explore La Vall d’en Bas Enjoy dreamlike landscapes, taste our cuisine, discover our traditions ...

A whole world to explore!

Nature

Architecture

Water

Apartments

Culture

Bars and Restaurants

Apartaments Can Trona- 972 274 261 ¡ www.cantrona.info Ca La Carmelita- 972 693 256 ¡ www.calacarmelita.com Can Guidic-Can MestrehumĂ - Ä ZZZ ÂżQD FDW Can Morera- 972 694 802 ¡ www.canmorera.com Colomer-Cullell- 972 690 606 ¡ www.allotjamentsrurals.com Finca La Coromina- Ä ZZZ ÂżQFDODFRURPLQD FRP Mas Rafalot- 972 690 184

Country Houses Ca la Remei i Can Benet- 636 656 672 ¡ www.aiguabella.com Can PiquÊ- 679 413 680 ¡ www.canpique.org Can Riera-Casa Rural- 686 303 406 ¡ www.canriera.es El Bosquet- 618 652 160 ¡ www.elbosquet.com El FerrÊs-Molí del FerrÊs- 972 690 029 ¡ www.elferres.com La Xiquella- 667 421 065 ¡ www.laxiquella.cat Mas La Garganta- 972 271 289 ¡ www.masgarganta.com Mas La Riera- 648 784 598 ¡ www.maslariera.com Mas Les Comelles- 616 419 719 ¡ www.maslescomelles.com Mas Masnou del Corb- 689 681 883 ¡ www.masmasnou.com Mas Rubió- 872 005 006 ¡ www.masrubio.com

Summer Camps El Rourell- 649 090 331 ¡ www.elrourell.com

Inns and Hotels Fonda Barris- 972 690 064 ¡ www.fondabarris.com Hotel Vall d’en Bas- 972 690 101 ¡ www.hotelvallbas.cat

For further information:

Ca La Carmelita- 972 693 256 ¡ www.calacarmelita.com Ca l’Esteve- 972 690 600 ¡ www.braseriacalesteve.com Can Font- 972 690 066 Can Morera- 972 694 802 ¡ www.canmorera.com Can Turó- 972 693 452 Fonda Barris- 972 690 064 ¡ www.fondabarris.com La Casilla- 972 690 350 ¡ www.lacasilla.cat La Cooperativa- 972 691 039 - www.verntallat.cat L’Estrada, SC- 972 690 908 L’Hostalet- 972 690 006 ¡ www.restaurantlhostalet.com Sant Miquel- 972 690 123

Shops, Activities and Services Agrobotigues Verntallat- 972 691 000 ¡ www.verntallat.cat Agrolà ctis El Mirès- 972 693 205 Antiguitats Ernest Comas- 616 696 567 ¡ www.ernestcomas.cat Cà tering Arrossades Tieta Rosa- 972 693 948 ¡ www.arrossadesdelatietarosa.com Embotits Artesans Gori- 972 693 023 ¡ www.embotitsgori.com Forn de pa Bataller- 972 690 166 Guies Ama Dablam- 615 233 442 ¡ www.guiesamadablam.com Granja Eqßestre Equillet- 610 571 331 ¡ www.equillet.com La Xiquella Formatgeria- 667 718 004 ¡ www.laxiquella.cat Mas La Coromina- 699 746 752 ¡ www.maslacoromina.cat Menja’m, Serrat Agrocuina- 972 690 929 ¡ www.menjam.cat Morera Agrocomerç- 972 693 157¡ www.canmorera.com Taller Artístic Jordi Traveria- 630 065 056 ¡ www.jorditraveria.com Trencadissa Artesania- 658 904 621 ¡ www.trencadissa-artesania.com

7RXULVW 2I¿FH Centro de Cultura y Naturaleza CAN TRONA 972 692 177 ¡ ZZZ FDQWURQD FDW ¡ ZZZ YDOOEDV FRP

The Hostoles valley Sant Feliu de Pallerols volcanoes and historic centre In the south of La Garrotxa, right in the heart of the Hostoles valley, is the municipality of Sant Feliu de Pallerols. The Brugent river, an affluent of the Ter, divides the area from where more than fifty springs flow.

A good route around Sant Feliu de Pallerols might start at the village’s Tourist Office, from where you head to the historic centre formed by a group of historic and architectural constructions from the 12th-13th century, such as the parish church, the La Sagrera and La Cellera houses, the chapel of Nostra Senyora del Roser, the chapel and medieval bridge of Sant Sebastià, the El Firal boulevard, La Conqueta mill and the avant-garde building of Can Casas. The route shows the medieval structure of the village centre and how it evolved from the houses of La Sagrera and the 13th-century Romanesque church to the 14th-century walled La Cellera house and today’s village.

But Sant Feliu de Pallerols is much more than history: it is also one of the most interesting places in La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, where volcano activity also left its mark. The Brugent river crosses the village and is a good place to see the lava flows from the eruption of the El Traiter volcano that cover the riverbed. Very near the historic centre are another two volcanoes: Sant Marc and Puig Roig, both 20 min from the centre of the village.

Both volcanoes are the most recent of the Hostoles Valley and their eruptions date back around 30,000 years. Sant Marc volcano has a horseshoe-shaped crater due to the lava flow during the last phase of the eruption. As an anecdote, an old, restored basalt quarry can be visited at Puig Roig volcano, where a large amount of cobblestones were mined to pave the roads of towns and cities.

From Sant Feliu de Pallerols you can also follow different signposted routes to the Pou del Glaç ice well or climb up to Hostoles Castle or Colltort Castle, both of which were important fortresses during the Remença uprising in the Middle Ages.

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Cavallets of Sant Feliu de Pallerols

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Olot

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Sant Feliu de Pallerols

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Centre històric de Sant Feliu de Pallerols. (Itinerari 18 Parc Natural) Volta al cingle de Rocalba (Itinerànnia) Valls de Sant Iscle i del Vallac: volcans i castells. (Itinerari 19 Parc Natural) Sant Feliu de Pallerols, fonts, pou de glaç i de Santa Cecília. (Itinerari 23 Parc Natural) Sant Feliu de Pallerols, volcans de Sant Marc i del Puig Roig. (Itinerari 22 Parc Natural) Sant Feliu de Pallerols, la Torra, castell d'Hostoles. (Itinerari 24 Parc Natural) Sant Feliu de Pallerols, Sant Pere Sacosta, el Far. (Itinerari 25 Parc Natural) Sant Feliu de Pallerols - Coll de Condreu. (Itinerari 20 Parc Natural) Ruta del Carrilet: la via verda.

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Sant Feliu de Pallerols

Camí de Sant Jaume

Camí dels Remences

Patrimoni Industrial

Garrotxa Modernista

Ruta Medieval

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The Hostoles valley Pools surrounded by history Les Planes d’Hostoles is famous for its pools, but also for having been an important site during the Remença revolt.

The starting point is the car park at the Espai Polivalent, located alongside the El Carrilet greenway. Different pools can be reached from here: if you follow the El Carrilet greenway towards Girona, take the signposted route and you will soon come to Santa Margarida pool, the largest in the municipality. However, if you follow the El Carrilet greenway towards Olot, you will soon reach the steps leading to Can Poeti pool, which extends alongside an old flour mill.

El Molí dels Murris pool

Continue along the greenway towards Olot and turn off along a path on your right to El Molí dels Murris pool, one of the most bucolic in La Garrotxa. If you want to visit this pool by car, leave it in the car park that has been especially set up alongside the C-63 road to Olot and finish the route on foot.

Apart from the pools, you can walk up to Hostoles castle in the municipality of Sant Feliu de Pallerols, one of the remains of Remença times boasting great views of the southern half of La Garrotxa. The path to the castle can be found by continuing along the greenway towards Olot.

You can also climb up to El Far, from where you are given panoramic views of the Hostoles valley, Les Guilleries and Collsacabra.

s s i m t ’ n Do

- Planestiueja’t, the schedule of summer activities, with theatre, concerts, etc.

Finally, you can visit the village, which is home to the church of Sant Cristòfol de Les Planes and alleyways that denote the recent history of this municipality, created in 1872 after its partition from Sant Feliu de Pallerols.

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Sant Pere Sacosta (Itinerànnia) Gorg de Can Poeti (Itinerànnia) Gorg de la Plana (Itinerànnia) Gorg del Molí dels Murris (Itinerànnia) Gorg de Santa Margarida (Itinerànnia) Itinerari el Far (Itinerànnia) Ruta del Carrilet: la via verda (Itinerànnia)

(map on page 65)

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? w o n k Did you

El Molí dels Murris pool cannot be accessed by vehicle in the summer. During this time, you should leave your vehicle in the car park set up at the start of the Cogolls trail, which is 2 km from the pool.

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