Undoubtedly, when we talk about volcanoes, the first image that comes to mind is that of a great mountain, hiding lava and a myriad of legends inside. The truth is that there are many volcanoes that were once active, but not all of them are like the ones we imagine.
It is also true that volcanic areas usually develop right on the edge of tectonic plates, producing with their movements, the appearance of these characteristic formations.
So, although we did not take into account this volcano route in the article where we talked about the best excursions in Catalonia. Today we will discover “the land of volcanoes” for the first time. You don’t have to go that far to discover it. The part where there are more volcanoes of Cataloniais concentrated in the Natural Park of the Volcanic Zone of La Garrocha, one of the best routes to do in Girona.
A territory made up of eleven municipalities, which is home to more than forty volcanic cones and more than twenty lava flows, which we can discover in several days of excursion if we are looking for relaxing getaways in Catalonia, in one of the most exotic and wildest areas of the whole Catalan territory...
The volcanoes of the Garrotxa, are incredible (and more if you have the opportunity to see them from the heights, such as from a hot air balloon). These types of formations are hidden throughout the Catalan territory. And of course at Willy’s Plan, we want you to meet them. Welcome to a journey full of nature and adventure, through the best volcanoes in Catalonia.
1. Castellfollit de la Roca (volcanic area)
We begin this tour with one of the routes to do around Castellfollit de la Roca. A peculiar village located about 296 meters above sea level, which although it is not a volcano as such, gives us a very good foot to start this article, as it is located on a volcanic archaeological area of thousands of years, as a result of erosion and the passage of the rivers Fluvià and Toronel, on the volcanic remains. To give you an idea, we are talking about a village on the rock.
A place worthy of a postcard, which offers us some wonderful views of the volcanic area of the Garrotxa, being undoubtedly one of the most spectacular places to see in Girona. If you decide to visit this place, do not forget to climb the bell tower: from there you will be able to contemplate the best panoramic views and enjoy the whole landscape.
Santa Margarita Volcano
In our second visit, we will go to the municipality of Sant Pau, to visit the Santa Margarita Volcano. With more than 700 meters high and an extension of 2,000 meters, this volcano is one of the most emblematic of the region.
Its name comes from a church of the same name, built during the Catalan Romanesque period. In the middle of the plain, this sacred precinct offers incredible views of the place, giving a historical and cultural connotation to the tour. That’s why you can’t miss it.
3. Croscat Volcano
Continuing through the municipality of Sant Pau, very close to Olot, we reach the Croscat Volcano. A place that was dedicated for many years to the exploitation of gypsum and that today represents one of the greatest geographical riches of Catalonia.
This volcano occupies the third position in our list, and the reason is obvious: it is one of the largest in its category. The special thing about this volcano is that you can see inside and it is a very easy route to walk, which will take us about an hour. Undoubtedly, one of the volcanoes of the Garrotxa that you can not miss if you are in the area.
4. Montsacopa Volcano in Olot
A visit to Olot is a sure encounter with volcanoes. This municipality is home to three important volcanoes of CataloniaThe Montsacopa or Sant Francesc volcano, the Garrinada volcano and the Moteolivet volcano.
Three volcanic formations that can be visited in a day trip, as they are located just a few minutes from the village. A plan to enjoy a family getaway in Catalonia, as it is very easy to access and is ideal for discovering the formation processes of these incredible volcanoes.
But if you do not want to go into the volcanic area of the deep Garrotxa, or enter the Fageda d’en Jordà, this volcano is perfect for you: located within the town of Olot, we find the Montsacopa volcano. This is another of the many inactive volcanoes in the area, which can be visited without any problem, and from the top of which you can appreciate incredible views of all the natural landscape that the area offers.
5. Other volcanoes in La Garrotxa
As mentioned above, the volcanic area of the Garrotxa is the most popular of Catalonia and even of the Spanish territory for hosting the highest concentration of dormant volcanoes in the entire Iberian Peninsula. That is why, once named the most famous, we are going to detail all the other volcanoes that you can find if you decide to visit the area and to carry out some routes and hiking tours in the Garrotxa.
Thus, located right next to the town of Olot and in the surroundings of the Fageda d’en Jordà, we can find the following volcanoes:
– Volcanoes of Cairat, Claperols and Repassot.
– Volcà de l’Estany i Bellaire.
– Puig de l’Ós i Pujalós Volcano.
– Volcanoes of Cabrioler.
– Volcanoes Puig Safont i el Tom, Puig de Martinyà i la Mallola.
– Volcà el Torrent and Fontpobra.
– Lower and Upper Traiter Volcanoes.
– Volcanoes Puig Rodó, Puig de les Medes and Llacunagra.
Want to see them all together from one place? In this case we recommend that you take a look at our route through the Hermitage of Sant Martí del Corb which will guide you to Puig Rodó: a viewpoint at the top of the mountain, located in the epicenter of the Fageda d’en Jordà, from which you will have incredible views of most of the volcanoes mentioned above.
