Itinerary
- Day 1
Barcelona to Olot
You'll arrive in Barcelona and pick up your rental car, then head out toward Olot in La Garrotxa (about 90 minutes from the airport). Once you get to your accommodation, there's time to settle in and take a walk to a viewpoint that overlooks the city and gives you your first look at the volcanic landscape. If you have energy left, the village of Santa Margarida de Bianya is worth checking out, or grab some authentic Catalan food to start your trip.
Included Activities
- Explore Olot historic center
- Short hike to Montsacopa Volcano summit
Optional Activities
- Visit Santa Margarida de Bianya village
- Sample Catalan cuisine
Landmarks/POIs Olot Montsacopa Volcano Santa Margarida de Bianya - Day 2
Olot
You'll hike up to the Santa Margarida Volcano, which is moderately challenging but worth the effort. The crater is well-preserved and there's a Romanesque chapel sitting inside it. After working through that hike, you'll explore the area's volcanic tunnels. One of them is among Catalonia's longest, and walking through it means seeing basalt walls up close with an interesting underground atmosphere.
Included Activities
- Hike to Santa Margarida Volcano summit
- Explore volcanic tunnels
Landmarks/POIs Santa Margarida Volcano Romanesque Chapel of Santa Margarida Volcanic Tunnels, La Garrotxa - Day 3
Olot
This day focuses on La Garrotxa's canyons and waterfalls. You'll start at Gorg de la Plana canyon where the water is clear and green, surrounded by volcanic rock. Later in the day, there's a hike up to Santuari de Bellmunt that takes more effort but gives you views stretching from the Pyrenees across the entire Garrotxa region and toward the Costa Brava.
Included Activities
- Explore Gorg de la Plana canyon
- Hike to Santuari de Bellmunt
Landmarks/POIs Gorg de la Plana Santuari de Bellmunt - Day 4
Olot
You'll spend the day exploring Catalonia's medieval history by walking through Besalú, a historic town with an iconic bridge, old Jewish baths, and Romanesque churches. After you've checked out the town, you can hike up to Mare de Déu del Mont summit. From there the views circle all around you, with the Pyrenees on one side and the Garrotxa region spreading out below.
Included Activities
- Explore Besalú medieval town
- Ascend Mare de Déu del Mont peak
Landmarks/POIs Besalú Bridge over Fluvià River, Besalú Mare de Déu del Mont - Day 5
Olot
Start with the Fageda d'en Jordà beech forest, which grows on ancient lava fields in an unusual way. From there, head to Santa Pau village, which sits surrounded by volcanic craters. Later you'll see the Salt de Can Batlle waterfall and the turquoise lagoon below it. If time allows, there's a hike to Església de Santa Maria de Finestres, a stone sanctuary with history going back centuries.
Included Activities
- Walk through Fageda d'en Jordà beech forest
- Explore Santa Pau village
- Visit Salt de Can Batlle waterfall
Optional Activities
- Hike to Església de Santa Maria de Finestres
Landmarks/POIs Fageda d'en Jordà Santa Pau Salt de Can Batlle Església de Santa Maria de Finestres - Day 6
Olot
This is a challenging day through La Garrotxa's rougher terrain. You'll move through wild gorges and see rock formations shaped by rivers cutting through volcanic stone. The Alta Garrotxa Gorges route works best for hikers with solid experience. Expect dramatic cliffs, blue lakes, and the Salt del Brull waterfall as highlights along the way.
Included Activities
- Hike Alta Garrotxa Gorges
- View Salt del Brull waterfall
Landmarks/POIs Alta Garrotxa Gorges Salt del Brull - Day 7
Olot
You'll head into less crowded parts of La Garrotxa with big rock formations, waterfalls, and mountain trails. Then you'll walk through Rupit, a medieval village with stone houses and narrow streets worth exploring. After that, climbing Puig del Castell de l'Embestida gives you mountain views in all directions. The day finishes at Salt de Sallent, Catalonia's highest waterfall at 115 meters.
Included Activities
- Explore Rupit medieval village
- Ascend Puig del Castell de l'Embestida
- View Salt de Sallent waterfall
Optional Activities
- Explore Cascades Rupit waterfalls
Landmarks/POIs Rupit Puig del Castell de l'Embestida Salt de Sallent Cascades Rupit - Day 8
Olot to Barcelona
On your last morning, walk through Olot's historic center and grab coffee on a sunny terrace. You can spend time in Parc Nou, a nice urban park for a quiet walk, or head over to Castellfollit de la Roca, which sits on a narrow basalt cliff and photographs well. Then you'll head to the airport for your flight out.
Included Activities
- Stroll through Olot historic center
- Visit Parc Nou urban park
- Explore Castellfollit de la Roca village
Landmarks/POIs Olot Historic Center Parc Nou, Olot Volcanological Museum, Olot Castellfollit de la Roca Mirador del Cingle
