Excursions in La Garrotxa around Olot
Because it lies in a valley surrounded by mountains and dormant volcanoes, the Garrotxa region is an ideal destination for hiking. Whether you’re traveling with children or not, you’ll find plenty of routes around Olot to explore on foot or by bike and enjoy nature to the fullest.
I’m an “adoptive” Olot local, and today I’m sharing with you some of the best-kept secrets to discovering La Garrotxa through its trails and breathtaking views.
A tip: if you can, plan your hikes for late October or early November, when the leaves change color. It’s a truly beautiful sight!
What to see in the Garrotxa area?
The Enchanted Rocks
This legendary route begins at the Sanctuary of La Salut, located about 30 minutes from Olot (at an altitude of 1,000 meters). It’s an easy hike with little elevation gain, winding through the forest and offering a variety of beautiful landscapes.
You can complete the hike in about 2 hours (round trip) at a relaxed pace. Once you reach the rocks, you can climb over them and explore hidden spots it feels like wandering through a natural labyrinth.
You’ll need to park your car at the La Salut restaurant. After admiring the views, follow the trail to The Enchanted Rocks, which starts to the left of the Sanctuary. And if you’re hungry after the hike, the restaurant at La Salut is an excellent choice.
Sant Miquel del Corb y Sant Martí
Between Olot and Les Preses, there’s a beautiful and little-known trail that takes you to two charming hermitages: Sant Miquel del Corb and Sant Martí (about 1 hour round trip).
The path has almost no elevation gain — it’s easy and passes through a forest near La Fageda d’en Jordà. It’s a peaceful spot, perfect for a quiet walk and to disconnect from everything.
Take the turnoff to Sant Miquel del Corb from the Les Preses road, and about 3 kilometers later, park your car as neatly as possible before entering the limits of the Natural Park of the Volcanic Zone.
Cycling Route through Vall d’en Bass
Take advantage of the fact that Olot is located in a valley and enjoy cycling without too much effort. A beautiful loop to do in a full day (or half a day if you’re on an electric bike) is the Vall d’en Bas route.
Starting from Olot, follow a section of the Greenway (Vía Verde) from Olot to Girona until you reach Sant Esteve d’en Bas. There, take a detour toward the picturesque village of Els Hostalets d’en Bas, where you can stop for a bite to eat (try the village bakery’s coca de azúcar — it’s fabulous!).
Els Hostalets marks the halfway point of this cycling excursion. Continue along the old Parcelaria Road, which has very little traffic and winds through wheat fields and beautiful countryside.
The Parcelaria passes through several charming villages of the Vall d’en Bas, where you can stop to explore. Don’t miss the main square of Sant Privat d’en Bas, the village of Joanetes, and the medieval heart of El Mallol. Continue towards La Pinya and Vecindario Cirera, and reconnect with the Carrilet Greenway to return to Olot.
You can rent bicycles and pick up route maps at ACMA, located in the old Olot train station, where the Greenway begins.
Xenacs Natural Park
The Xenacs mountain is a natural recreation area full of hiking trails. Drive up to the summit (access via Les Preses) and, once there, enjoy the panoramic views from the lookout point. Then choose among several hikes — one of the most beautiful is the Puig Rodó (900 m), which offers stunning views.
If you’re visiting with children, explore the Interactive Forest, where they can learn about local flora and fauna while walking through Xenacs.
At the Xenacs parking area, you’ll find a restaurant-café, picnic area, and barbecue facilities. The hike to Puig Rodó has a 500 m elevation gain and takes about 1 hour.
Santa Margarida Volcano, Croscat Volcano, and Fageda d’en Jordà
The volcanoes and the Fageda d’en Jordà beech forest are must-see spots if you’ve never been to La Garrotxa before. Here you’ll find three excursions in one, each with a very different atmosphere.
The Santa Margarida Volcano
The Santa Margarida Volcano is a steep hike (about 40 minutes uphill to the summit). Once at the top, walk around the massive volcanic crater, where you’ll find a charming hermitage standing right in its center.
The Croscat Volcano
The Croscat Volcano isn’t as steep as Santa Margarida, but it’s just as fascinating. It was once a mining site, which means you can now admire its exposed lava strata and see what the inside of a volcano looks like. The round trip takes about one hour, but you’ll want to take your time exploring the volcanic layers up close.
Fageda d’en Jordà
Lastly, the Fageda d’en Jordà is one of Catalonia’s most famous forests — especially magical in autumn, when the beech leaves turn golden and red. Several circular routes are available, and maps are provided at the entrance to help you choose the best itinerary.
One of the routes passes by the La Fageda Cooperative, well known for its delicious farm-made yogurts.
The easiest way to explore is by car, as each site has nearby parking and only a few kilometers separate them. However, for more adventurous visitors, you can hike or cycle from the Fageda through to the volcanoes.
Sadernes: Sant Aniol and the Salto del Brull Waterfall
This is the longest hike on the list — a 5-hour circular route through the Alta Garrotxa region, with about 300 meters of elevation gain. It’s not too difficult but does require some stamina. It can be done year-round, though in summer you’ll enjoy the bonus of swimming in the Sadernes River.
Along the route, you’ll discover the rugged landscape of Alta Garrotxa, the Romanesque bridge of Valentí, the beautiful Salto del Brull waterfall, the Sant Aniol hermitage, and several natural pools and cascades typical of this wild area.
Drive towards Sant Jaume de Llierca and Sadernes, continuing until you reach Sadernes itself. If you arrive early (or outside summer season), you can park near the Sadernes Bridge. Otherwise, you’ll need to leave your car further back near the Sadernes campsite, adding about an extra hour of walking.
Which volcano to visit in Olot?
Montsacopa Volcano
The Montsacopa Volcano is an easy and short hike right within the town of Olot, and it’s a local favorite. From the top, you’ll enjoy 360º panoramic views over the city and surrounding landscape. Visit at sunrise or sunset for particularly stunning light.
At the summit, you’ll also find old watchtowers and the Sant Francesc hermitage. There are two access points: the stairs next to the cemetery, or a steeper path known as the Camí del Montsacopa, which starts a little further past the cemetery and leads directly up to the volcano.
Where to stay in La Garrotxa – Olot
The Hotel La Perla is perfectly located in the center of Olot. If you’re traveling with children, you’ll love the family-friendly amenities: a playground right in front of the hotel, an indoor recreation room, special kids’ menus, and family rooms themed around Olot’s traditional festival characters (farandula d’Olot).
Hotel La Perla d'Olot is a welcoming hotel in Olot, located at the gateway to the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, one of Catalonia's most unique natural areas. Thanks to its privileged location, it is the perfect base for discovering the volcanoes, forests and medieval villages that have made La Garrotxa one of the most popular nature destinations in the Girona Pyrenees.
Its comfortable and bright rooms provide the perfect place to relax after a day of hiking or outdoor adventures. The hotel features a traditional Catalan restaurant, gardens, a children's playground and a games room with billiards, as well as welcoming spaces designed for couples and families alike.
The restaurant offers an excellent selection of traditional Catalan cuisine, prepared with locally sourced ingredients and regional recipes, providing the perfect opportunity to discover the Garrotxa flavours.
From the hotel, guests can visit must-see attractions such as the Fageda d'en Jordà beech forest, the Croscat and Santa Margarida volcanoes, cycle or walk along the Carrilet Greenway, explore the historic centre of Olot, or discover some of the region's most beautiful villages, including Santa Pau, Castellfollit de la Roca and Besalú. It is also an excellent destination for hiking, cycling and many other outdoor activities.
Thanks to its outstanding location, welcoming atmosphere and proximity to the region's main attractions, Hotel La Perla d'Olot is one of the best hotels in La Garrotxa for discovering the natural, cultural and gastronomic heritage of one of Catalonia's most fascinating regions.
The Hotel Cal Sastre is located right in the heart of the medieval center of Santa Pau, one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Catalonia. At Cal Sastre, you’ll find a warm, family atmosphere with a cozy and traditional charm. The rooms are decorated in a classic style and furnished with period pieces, creating an authentic and inviting ambiance.
Located opposite the medieval castle of Santa Pau, in the heart of the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, Hotel Cal Sastre occupies two beautifully restored 15th-century houses that preserve the essence of traditional Catalan architecture. It is one of the best hotels in La Garrotxa, where history, tranquillity and nature come together to offer a unique stay in one of Girona's most beautiful medieval villages.
Its rooms, all outward-facing and elegantly decorated with period furniture, enjoy views of Santa Margarida Volcano, Puig de Mar Volcano, the Sant Julià mountains or Santa Pau Castle. Some feature a bathtub in the room, making them an excellent choice for a romantic getaway surrounded by nature.
From the hotel you can discover some of La Garrotxa's most spectacular landscapes, exploring volcanoes, beech forests and woodlands, enjoying hiking, cycling or horse-riding routes, taking a hot-air balloon flight, or visiting places such as La Fageda d'en Jordà, the Greenways or Lake Banyoles, located just a few kilometres away.
The experience continues at Restaurant Cal Sastre, where traditional La Garrotxa cuisine is prepared using local seasonal produce. Specialities such as the renowned Santa Pau beans, grown in the region's fertile volcanic soils, reflect the area's rich gastronomic heritage. The hotel also features a unique swimming pool built into the stone façade, an exclusive space that adds even more character to this remarkable hotel.
The Hotel-Monument Can Garay is located in Les Planes d'Hostoles, just 100 meters from the Carrilet route between Olot and Girona. It is a small hotel housed in a beautiful modernist building, where all the rooms overlook a century-old garden spanning 4,000 m².
Hotel-Monument Can Garay is an exclusive Modernist hotel in Les Planes d'Hostoles, located in the heart of La Garrotxa, at the gateway to the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park. This unique 1906 building has been declared part of Catalonia's architectural heritage by the Government of Catalonia.
With just six double rooms and one family suite, the hotel offers an exclusive and personalised stay. Every room overlooks a magnificent century-old garden of more than 4,000 m², while its cosy lounges and shared spaces invite guests to relax in an elegant and peaceful atmosphere.
Its privileged location provides easy access to some of the most iconic natural landscapes of La Garrotxa and the Vall d'Hostoles, with forests, hiking trails, streams and popular natural pools just a few minutes from the hotel. It is also an excellent base for visiting towns such as Olot and Sant Feliu de Pallerols.
Cycling enthusiasts will find Can Garay to be an outstanding bike-friendly hotel. Located just 100 metres from the Carrilet Greenway (Girona-Olot), it offers secure bike storage, bicycle rental and a workshop, making it one of the best places to stay while exploring La Garrotxa by bike.
Gastronomy is also an essential part of the experience, with a menu based on Catalan cuisine prepared using organic, locally sourced ingredients, many of them grown in the hotel's own vegetable garden on volcanic soil. Breakfasts in the garden, open-air dinners and vermouth under the lime trees reflect its close connection with the surrounding landscape.
The hotel also features a gym and a massage and wellness treatment service, available even in your room. Thanks to its architectural heritage, privileged location and exclusive atmosphere, Hotel-Monument Can Garay is one of the best hotels in La Garrotxa for discovering Girona.
Want to explore more? Discover the best hotels in La Garrotxa!
