Discover La Garrotxa, a land of contrasts. On the one hand, the placid beech forests make their way between the volcanic flows, marking a gentle landscape with few differences in elevation. On the other, the steep cliffs and gorges transform into the rugged landscapes of Alta Garrotxa.
From small stone villages full of charm, we enter Olot, the capital of the region. A friendly city with commerce, services and a wide range of museums and heritage that invites you to stay for more than one day. Discover the many fairs and open-air markets, festivals and traditional celebrations with giants and big heads (or “cabeçuts”, as we call them here!).
In the upper basin of the Fluvià river, this friendly land with a mild climate invites us to be discovered through its more than 40 volcanoes, basalt rock cliffs, natural parks and museum spaces. Move between these places with sustainable options such as Rumbus, the public transport operated by TEISA, which connects Les Preses, the center of Olot, Fageda d’en Jordà, the Santa Margarida Area and Santa Pau on weekends, long weekends and holidays. Or also on foot, by bike or in a hot air balloon; with family or as a couple, all options are valid!
La Garrotxa, an inclusive and sustainable land, is an invitation to lose yourself and, at the same time, to find yourself.
In La Garrotxa, two completely different types of landscape can be observed: in much of the southern half, more than 40 volcanoes and several lava flows extend, forming a gentle landscape without many unevennesses, protected by the Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa; from the valley of the Fluvià river towards the north, the landscape changes radically. It becomes more abrupt and steep with abundant cliffs and gorges, which give way to the Alta Garrotxa, an area declared a Site of Natural Interest, in the same way as Collsacabra and the Puigsacalm massif, both located to the west of the region.
The valleys of Bas, Hostoles and Bianya make up a large part of Garrotxa, one of the most wooded regions in Catalonia. The sunny slopes are covered with holm oak forests. Oak forests predominate in the remaining areas – in Olot you can see some pedunculate oak – and beech forests are found in the wetter areas.
La Garrotxa is a region privileged by its natural wealth, with two protected areas of great landscape and ecological value. The Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa is one of the main attractions, with more than 40 volcanic cones and numerous lava flows, which make up a unique landscape in the Iberian Peninsula. Its beech forests, such as the Fageda d’en Jordà, offer a peaceful and immersive experience at any time of the year. In the north of the region, the Protected Natural Area of Alta Garrotxa stands out for its rugged terrain, with cliffs, gorges and great biodiversity, ideal for lovers of hiking and nature in its purest form. These two spaces are the green heart of La Garrotxa and an invitation to discover it with all your senses.
Reservations allow us to accommodate you better, making it easier to enjoy your visit while preserving the natural values of the protected natural area. Make them in advance (there are places without cover), and also book your accommodation, the restaurants where you want to eat and the activities you want to do in good time.
You will need it if you want to go free camping or bivouac, canyoning, flying drones, holding events, sporting activities and doing photo reports and professional filming, and you will also need a permit if you have reduced mobility and want to reach places where access is restricted by vehicle.
Prepare your route in advance, check the weather forecast, be well-equipped (suitable walking shoes, warm clothing if necessary, water, food and a map of the route), do not light a fire and follow the marked paths.
In summer, start walking early, as it gets very hot at noon.
If you are an organised group and want to visit the Croscat Volcano Museum, you must be accompanied by a guide with the qualification of “Good Connoisseur of La Garrotxa”. Almost all guide companies in the region have staff with this qualification.
Respect private property –almost the entire territory is private property-, don’t make noise or shout, drive with caution, never off the roads or cross-country, pick up your dogs’ excrement and keep them on a leash.
It’s the only way to guarantee that they won’t interfere with herds of cows and sheep or wildlife.
If you are traveling by motorhome, in addition to the campsites, you have several specially designated areas.
Outside these places, in some municipalities it is prohibited to spend the night in vehicles or motorhomes parked on public roads.
The experience, the photographs of your stay, and the waste.
Rocks, minerals, plants and animals, and nothing that is not yours.
© Turisme Garrotxa
