Pedra Tosca Park: The Heritage of Dry Stone in Garrotxa

Located in the heart of the Bosc de Tosca forest, between the cities of Olot and les Preses, this seemingly inhospitable space stretches between tossols (small hillocks) and artigues (plots of land formerly cultivated and later covered by forest). Created from the lava flow of the Puig Jordà volcano about 17,000 years ago, it has been part of the Natural Park of the Volcanic Zone of Garrotxa since 1982 due to its significant ecological value.

This area owes its name to the abundant presence of rough volcanic stones that made access to the land and its cultivation difficult. However, inhabitants of Garrotxa’s volcanic area know that volcanic soil is extremely hard yet fertile. And volcanic stones, porous and light, hide behind their apparent fragility a surprising durability. Thus, over the years, using the traditional dry stone technique, more than 100 dry stone huts and 50 kilometers of walls were erected to delineate the gradually planted crops.

An example of human tenacity and the search for new cultivation spaces out of necessity, the area underwent a profound transformation due to human activity, completely altering its appearance for over 150 years until it was abandoned. Currently, delicate landscape recovery work has managed to preserve the cultural heritage while promoting natural conservation, a task that has received numerous accolades, including the 2006 European Landscape Rosa Barba Prize, awarded to the intervention carried out by the RCR-Arquitectes team, which we recommend you visit by following the park’s routes.

Visiting Pedra Tosca Park while you wander through the maze of stone walls, explore rural huts, or feel the coolness of the bufadors (small natural openings that provide fresh air year-round) becomes an immersive experience.

S’hi pot fer un itinerari curt i un de llarg.