Garrotxa's volcanic zone is located in oriental Pyrenees and nowadays is one of the volcanic resorts more representative of the Iberic peninsula. It has got 40 volcanoes and a varied vegetation because of his orography, floor and his characteristic climate. In the mountains called Corb and Finestres we can find two of the most important volcanoes, Santa Margarida and Croscat.
Nowadays this zone, which has an extension of 12.007 ha, is protected, because it was declared Natural Reserve of the Garrotxa Volcanic zone on 1982 by the government ofCatalonia.
Routes
In this park there are 28 walking routes that go through the most interesting sites across the reserve and can be done easily because of the signposting or the guide-maps that the organization of the Natural Reserve makes.
Across these routes we can see the varied vegetation that grow up in the zone, like: oaks, beech trees and others typical trees of the zone.
The access to these routes can be done on foot every where in Garrotxa, Ripollès or Alt Empordà, following the net of paths called Itinerànnia.
Activities
The activities offered in this reserve are very big and complete. That’s why, during the year, there is the possibility of do visits and guided day trips through the reserve and all the region. Guided by an expert, people can visit volcanoes, forests, villages and the main monuments of the region.
“The three jewels of the park” is one of the purposes that allows people to know the most emblematic zones of the Park. This route takes along 3 or 4 hours and crosses singular places like: Fageda d’en Jordà, Santa Margarida’s volcano, and Croscat’s volcano, the highest volcano inSpain.
This and other activities can be found in the list programs that has got the park: Descobreix la Garrotxa and Deixa’t portar.
Photography: Arxiu del Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa/Pep Callís
Text: Mar Mampel