Summers are becoming increasingly hotter, and periods of high temperatures are changing the way we enjoy the region. When the heat sets in, it’s natural to look for places to cool down, but the best option isn’t always to head for the water.

 

In La Garrotxa, there are plenty of ways to escape the heat: shady forests, climate refuges and thermal comfort spaces, as well as municipal swimming pools. Besides helping visitors stay cool, these alternatives also reduce pressure on some of the area’s most popular natural sites during summer, such as its freshwater pools.

Trees: our greatest allies against the heat

The shade of a tree is much more than protection from the sun. Trees are a true green infrastructure: their canopies block a large part of the sun’s radiation, while the evapotranspiration of their leaves helps create a naturally cooler and more comfortable microclimate.

Tree cover can reduce direct solar radiation by almost 80% and improve thermal comfort by up to 7.6°C. This explains why walking through a beech forest, an oak woodland or a riverside forest feels so much more pleasant than crossing an open area under direct sunlight.

La Garrotxa is fortunate to have an extensive forested landscape. Beech forests, oak woods, holm oak forests, riverside woodlands and leafy parks become true natural refuges from the summer heat.

Natural climate refuges to discover this summer

You don’t have to go far to find pleasant places during a heatwave. Across La Garrotxa you’ll discover wonderful spots for walking, reading, relaxing or simply enjoying the scenery:

• La Fageda d’en Jordà (Santa Pau), where the dense beech canopy keeps temperatures pleasantly cool even in the middle of summer.
• La Moixina and the Aiguamoixos wetlands (Olot), a landscape of wetlands, ash trees and poplars where water and vegetation create a refreshing microclimate.
• Bosc de Tosca (Les Preses), with paths winding between dry-stone walls, holm oaks, oak trees and abundant vegetation.
• The forests of Vall d’en Bas, perfect for walking beneath a continuous canopy of trees.
• The forests of Alta Garrotxa, especially in sheltered valleys and along streams, where shade accompanies much of the route.
• Olot’s urban parks, such as Parc Nou and Parc de les Mores, ideal for enjoying green spaces without leaving the town.
• Fonts de Sant Roc and the Tries area (Olot), beside the Fluvià River, where lush vegetation and flowing water create a pleasant place to stroll or relax.
• The riverside landing stage in the historic centre of Sant Feliu de Pallerols, whose peaceful setting next to the Brugent River makes it a perfect place to take a break and enjoy the cool surroundings.
• Vall del Bac (Vall de Bianya), especially enjoyable thanks to its extensive, dense forests.

At OH!Garrotxa you’ll find plenty of walking routes and ideas to explore these landscapes. On particularly hot days, choose short, shaded walks, avoid the hottest hours of the day and always adapt your plans to the weather forecast.

Indoor spaces: discovering culture and heritage

Besides forests and other shaded natural areas, the hottest hours of the day are also the perfect time to discover La Garrotxa’s climate comfort spaces and cultural attractions. They allow you to keep exploring the region while staying out of the heat.

In Olot, there are 50 designed climate comfort spaces, around ten of which are indoors. These publicly accessible places offer suitable thermal comfort and provide a cool environment for anyone needing relief from high temperatures.

The middle of the day is also an excellent opportunity to discover La Garrotxa’s heritage, culture and history indoors. In Olot, attractions such as Espai Cràter, the Museu de la Garrotxa, the Museu dels Sants, the Can Trincheria House Museum, and some of the city’s most emblematic religious buildings — Sant Esteve Basilica, the Sanctuary of Tura, and the Convent del Carme — offer a fascinating insight into the region’s volcanoes, art and traditions while providing a welcome escape from the heat.

Elsewhere in La Garrotxa, you’ll also find plenty of inspiring places to visit:

• Can Trona Centre for Culture and Nature (Vall d’en Bas) offers an engaging introduction to the valley’s natural and cultural heritage.
• Circusland (Besalú) takes visitors on a journey through the history and heritage of the circus.
• Sant Pere and Sant Vicenç churches (Besalú), Romanesque churches documented since the year 977, whose thick stone walls help keep the interior pleasantly cool during the summer.
• Sanctuary of Our Lady of La Salut (Sant Feliu de Pallerols), located over 1,000 metres above sea level and surrounded by forests, enjoys noticeably cooler temperatures than the valley below.
• The Romanesque churches of Vall de Bianya, including Sant Martí de Capsec, Sant Martí de Solamal, Sant Pere Despuig and Santa Margarida de Bianya, whose thick stone walls provide naturally cool interiors (please check opening times before visiting).
• The former monastery of Sant Joan les Fonts, beside the Fluvià River, in a setting that combines heritage, water and lush vegetation.

Libraries, cultural centres, museums and other public facilities across the region can also become valuable places to visit during the hottest part of the day.

Adapting to the heat doesn’t mean missing out on La Garrotxa. It simply means exploring at a different pace and combining nature, culture and climate comfort spaces.

Looking for a refreshing swim?

If you’d rather cool off in the water, La Garrotxa’s municipal swimming pools are an excellent choice. Located in several villages across the region, they offer all the necessary facilities while helping reduce visitor pressure on the area’s most sensitive natural environments.

Tips for hot summer days

When temperatures soar, a few simple precautions can make all the difference:

• Plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon.
• Choose shaded routes and areas with plenty of trees.
• Carry water with you and drink regularly.
• Wear a hat, light clothing and sunscreen.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity during the hottest hours of the day.
• During heatwaves, make use of climate comfort spaces and follow the recommendations issued by the local authorities.

This summer, discover the refreshing side of La Garrotxa. Sometimes, the coolest places aren’t in the water. The nature offers the best shade of all.