Olot – 12 minutes
Olot is the capital of the region, located within the protected area of La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park. It is an active city, monumental, devoted to its giants and show business, a friend of art and nature. The Parc Nou, in Olot, where the Museum of Volcanoes (with a reproduction of an earthquake) and the Botanical Garden are located.
Olot’s weekly market on Mondays.
La Fageda d’en Jordà – 20 minutes
La Fageda d’en Jordà is a nature reserve that includes a beech forest of unique characteristics; as it grows on a relatively flat terrain, formed by a cooled lava flow from the Croscat volcano, at an altitude that is not common in the Iberian Peninsula for this type of trees, between 550 and 650 m. It has an area of about 4.8 km2 and is full of lava prominences (locally named tossols) that can reach more than 20 m in height.
Riudaura – 25 minutes
The medieval layout of its streets and the beauty of its landscape make Riudaura a great place to stop. Strolling through the village we discover Gambeto square, buildings like Can Bagó and the old chapel of Sant Marçal, current headquarters of the Town Hall. Also, streets like Rutlla, Olot, Terrica or Rompeculs that make Riudaura one of the most charming villages of La Garrotxa.
Vall de Bianya – 25 minutes
La Vall de Bianya belongs to Alta Garrotxa area; it is a set of small and large valleys that fill a territory with meadows, forests and streams.
The municipality is made up of several population centers, all scattered throughout the territory and most of them around a Romanesque church.
Historically, this valley has many things to tell, since the Roman road of Capsacosta, a secondary road that linked with the Via Augusta leading to Rome, passed through it.
Rupit – 45 minutes
Located in Collsacabra area, the ancient medieval village of Rupit offers spectacular views of Les Guilleries, the Montseny and the neighbouring cliffs of Tavertet, Avenc and El Far. The steep natural cliffs reveal to visitors the beautiful Romanesque church of Sant Joan de Fàbregues, Sallent waterfall of or the natural monument of Agullola. In the north, Pruit, with a group of scattered farmhouses, evokes the times when wealth was linked to the land. Walking around Rupit is an unforgettable experience!
Banyoles lake – 50 minutes
The Pond of Banyoles (Estany de Banyoles) is the largest lake in Catalonia, in the province of Girona. It is the main symbol of the city of Banyoles. The pond and its lake basin are considered the most extensive karst complex in Spain, forming an environmental system of remarkable value. Located in the west of the municipality of Banyoles, it was declared by Generalitat de Catalunya (Regional Government) as part of the Plan for Areas of Natural Interest. In 2003 it was included in the Ramsar list of Wetlands of International Importance. Several groups have requested the establishment of Natural Park.
Volcanoes
The essence of the Natural Park and one of the reasons for its diversity and natural beauty. With 40 cones and 20 basaltic lava flows, it is the most important volcanic area of the Iberian Peninsula. The most popular visit is to the Santa Margarita Volcano and its characteristic Romanesque hermitage inside the crater.
You may walk to visit Can Tiá volcano, or climb to the castle of Mas Colltort, where you will find a great panoramic view of the area’s volcanic cones.
A short distance away, in Sant Feliu de Pallerols, (where Mas Campassol is located), you can visit the volcanoes of Sant Marc and Puig Roig, (Natural Park plan 22). You will find more information on the volcanoes of the Park in the websites Turisme Garrotxa and La Generalitat.
Medieval Villages
Santa Pau, is located 25 minute drive from our farm. This beautiful medieval village preserves its walls, castle, arcaded square, and narrow streets in excellent conditions. It is framed in an exceptional setting, with lush vegetation crossed by rivers and waterfalls. In the central square there is a tourist office where you can find maps and information on the area. From Santa Pau you can visit several pools. We particularly recommend Can Batllé.
For further information
Castellofollit de la Roca, located half an hour’s drive away is this spectacular medieval village built on a huge basaltic cliff, created by the erosion of two rivers. It is a 1 km. long and 50 m. high promontory crowned by the houses of the village, built on the edge of the cliff. Undoubtedly a striking image, often used in geography textbooks for its uniqueness. For further information
Sant Joan de les Fonts, located half an hour away by car we find this beautiful medieval village. Highlighting the bridge that connects the old town with the parish church and the area of Castanyer, and the church of the former Benedictine monastery, both from c12. This medieval bridge, made of volcanic stone, consists of a large arch and two side arches over the river Fluvià. Also worth a visit is the Castle or Estada Juvinyà, a fortified manor house that in 1972 was declared a Monument of National Interest. For further information.
Besalú, located 40 minutes away by car is the most impressive medieval village of Catalonia, whose synagogue has been declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest. It is one of the most outstanding medieval villages in Europe, located between the waters of two rivers with a spectacular castle that gave rise to the town back in the tenth century and the majestic Romanesque bridge over the river Fluvià that leaves snapshots to remember. For further information
Waterfalls
Some are well known and others hidden…
At about 10 minutes by car and 5 minutes walking you will find La Plana Gorges and not far from there the Gorges of Can Poetí, Molí dels Murris and Santa Margarida.
We have a book with explanations and maps to visit the 23 best waterfalls in the area.
