Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park
Example of volcanism
La Garrotxa is considered the most significant volcanic area on the Iberian Peninsula, a unique and very distinct Catalan region with 38 volcanic cones and 20 lava flows.
The vegetation, which here rises up the slopes of the volcanoes and even occupies their craters, is rich and varied, with forests of holm oaks, oaks and beeches predominating. There are also chestnut trees, hazel trees, alders, poplars and box trees. The fauna includes species such as wild boar, wild cat, dormouse, marten and genet. Also found in this protected natural area are the short-toed eagle, the goshawk, the tawny owl, the peregrine falcon, the great spotted woodpecker, the blue nuthatch and the marsh tit, as well as vipers and other reptiles.
Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park
Girona (Catalonia)
Girona (Catalonia):
- Castellfollit de la Roca
- Mieres
- Montagut i Oix
- Olot
- Planes d'Hostoles, Les
- Preses, Les
- Riudaura
- Sant Aniol de Finestres
- Santa Pau
- Sant Feliu de Pallerols
- Sant Joan les Fonts
- Vall de Bianya, La
- Vall d'en Bas, La
Ctra. Olot-Santa Pau, km 7 (interior del volcán del Croscat)
17811 Volcán Croscat, Santa Pau, Girona (Catalonia)
Casal dels Volcans Information Centre
Avenida de Santa Coloma, 47
17800 Olot, Girona (Catalonia)
Ctra. Olot- Santa Pau, km 4,65 (área de Can Serra)
17811 La Fageda d´en Jordà, Santa Pau, Girona (Catalonia)
What you need to know
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Cultural information
La Garrotxa was a transit area for the Romans, whose traces include the remains of a road in the municipality of Vall de Bianya. The Romanesque style can be seen in the churches of Sant Pere and Sant Vicenç in the monumental medieval town of Besalú, the monastery of Sant Joan les Fonts and the Sant Sepulcre de Palera. The modernist style of Olot, capital of the region, is also worth mentioning, as well as the medieval styles of towns like Santa Pau and Castellfollit de la Roca, which is standing right above the cliffs.
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Environmental information
The vegetation and fauna of the volcanic area of La Garrotxa are particularly important due to their variety. Visitors can find holm oak, oak and beech forests, such as the famous Fageda d'en Jordà, which is very special because it grows at a lower altitude above sea level than usual and is located on an ancient lava rock pass. Several of the park's volcanoes can be visited by following hiking trails.
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Information for visits
Consult the Visitor Centres.
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