A short distance from the Costa Brava, La Garrotxa (Girona) is a surprising green county known for its volcanic area: more than 40 dormant volcanoes, magical beech forests and hugely charming medieval villages. It's a peaceful destination, ideal for hiking and unwinding, and still not well known among motorhome travellers. Here's the guide.
The volcanic area
The Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park protects a unique landscape: volcanoes you can climb on foot (Croscat, Santa Margarida with its chapel in the crater), cones and lava flows covered in forest. Fascinating, accessible geological nature (see hiking).
The Fageda d'en Jordà
The most famous forest: the Fageda d'en Jordà, a beech wood growing on a lava flow, magical at any time of year and spectacular in autumn when it turns golden. A walk among beeches on volcanic rock that steals your heart.
Medieval villages
- Besalú: one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Catalonia, with its bridge and its Jewish quarter (see medieval villages).
- Castellfollit de la Roca, perched on a basalt cliff.
- Santa Pau, medieval, right in the heart of the volcanic area.
- Olot, the county capital.
Practical tips
- Spectacular autumn in the beech forests; green and cool in spring and summer.
- Combine with the Costa Brava (see Costa Brava) for sea and mountains.
- Small villages: use designated areas and respect local overnight rules.
In summary
La Garrotxa offers dormant volcanoes you can climb on foot, magical beech forests like the Fageda d'en Jordà and medieval villages like Besalú, all green and peaceful. The step to take today: combine a route through the volcanic area (climbing a volcano and walking through the Fageda, spectacular in autumn) with the medieval villages, and link it with the nearby Costa Brava; sea and volcanoes in a single trip. Combine it with the routes through Catalonia.