GUIDED VISITS

www.verdvolcanic.cat/guidedvisits

GUIDED VISITS

BRINGING NATURE AND CULTURE

WITHIN REACH

The activities included in this brochure offer visitors a chance to discover the landscape and its heritage in the company of a team of experienced professional environmental and cultural guides.

La Garrotxa L'Empordà Girona Ripollès

GUIDED VISITS

1. LA GARROTXA

1.1 LA GARROTXA VOLCANIC ZONE NATURAL PARK A trip into the entrails of the volcano Croscat and a visit to La Fageda d'en Jordà, Catalonia's most famous forest, complement each other in the discovery of the most inspiring sites in La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park

Duration: half day/whole dayDistance/climb: 6 km/200 mAdditonal costs: noneTransport: vehicle to Olot and volcanic zone.

1.2 MEDIEVAL BESALÚ A visit to the medieval village of Besalú, with its famous Jewish quarter and dog-legged medieval bridge. The visit begins in the centre of the village in Plaça de la Llibertat, and continues on to the only Jewish purification baths in Spain, and the medieval bridge, the Romanesque churches of Sant Vicenç and Sant Pere, and the medieval building of La Cúria Reial.

Duration: half-dayDistance/climb: almost none Additonal costs: 3€ per person to enter baths and churchesTransport: vehicle to Besalú

1.3 ROMANESQUE CHURCHES OF BEUDA The Romanesque churches of Beuda were once a focal point for local people and a centre of pilgrimage for travellers coming from afar. This visit enters the churches of Sant Pere de Lligordà, Sant Sepulcre de Palera and Sant Feliu de Beuda, which are normally closed to the public.

Duration: half-dayDistance/climb: almost none Additonal costs: noneTransport: vehicle to Beuda


1.4 BESALU JEWISH QUARTER A descriptive tour of the main Jewish sites in the medieval village of Besalú, where we discover some of the legends and stories associated with the Jewish population that thrived in the village in

the Middle Ages before being expelled. Visit includes entrance to the Micvé, the purification baths discovered in the 1970s that are one of the best preserved such sites in Europe.

Durada: half-dayDistance/climb: almost none Additional costs: 1.5€ per person entrance to baths Transport: vehicle to Besalú

1.5 L'ALTA GARROTXA The harsh landscapes of L'Alta Garrotxa are the subject of many legends, but today are an ideal setting for walkers wishing to enjoy some of its most spectacular landscapes, from towering sheer cliffs to crystalline streams in limestone gorges. This walk begins at the famous medieval bridge of Pont de Llierca and continues on to the delightful small village of Oix, lost in the heart of this dramatic landscape.

Durada: half-day or whole dayDistance/climb: 8 km/400 m Additional costs: noneTransport: vehicle to Sadernes

1.6 WALKING ON LAVA An itinerary for discovering the three most interesting lava flows in La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park: Croscat, Castellfollit de la Roca and its basalt cliff, and Sant Joan les Fonts, where three superimposed lava flows produce a magnificent waterfall.

Durada: half-day or whole dayDistance/climb: 8 km/400 m Additional costs: noneTransport: vehicle for transfers

GUIDED VISITS


1.7 A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF THE NATURAL PARK A walk through the Natural Park to some of its best vantage points. We start at the crater of the volcano of Can Tià, and then continue along paths to Colltort Castle, from where we

will have exceptional views over most of the volcanic zone. Shady beech forests and a crystalline spring await us on our way down towards the volcanoes of Santa Margarida and Croscat.

Duration: whole dayDistance/climb: 8 km/400 m Addtional costs: noneTransport: vehicle to drop-off and pick-up points

1.8 VIA ANNIA ROMAN ROAD The walk down the winding Capsacosta Roman road belies the legend that all Roman roads are straight. This ancient route, still fully paved with its wonderful original guttering, culverts and guard stones still intact, takes you from one valley to another across the pass of Capsacosta. In doing so, we pass through dense forests in which the Roman road is the only open area and as such in spring and summer are home to a wealth of orchids, butterflies and birds; in autumn the colours of the surrounding forest are a joy to behold. The walk passes by a brand-new interpretation centre where the significance of the Roman road, the local churches and the farmhouses are explained, and where there is time for a cold drink and comfort stops.

Duration: half-day or whole dayDistance/climb: 5 km/100 m Addtional costs: 3€ entrance to interpretation centreTransport: vehicle to drop-off and pick-up points

1.9 OLOT – THE CITY OF VOLCANOES The city of Olot lies on the flanks of four volcanoes. This itinerary starts with an easy walk up Montolivet, passing by its horseshoe crater. Following this first stop, we head for Montsacopa, whose summit gives us a 360º of the areas, taking in the high Pyrenees, a number of the other volcanoes, the surrounding peaks of Puigsacalm and Serra del Corb, the volcano of La Garrinada and Olot itself. We finish the walk in the crater of Bisaroques after a short climb through forests and meadows.

Duration: whole dayDistance/climb: 5 km/300 m Addtional costs: noneTransport: vehicle to Olot

GUIDED VISITS


1.10 THE FLOWERS OF LA GARROTXA Throughout spring and early summer, La Garrotxa is full of wonderful places for botanists. With over 1,200 species of plant known from the area, the mix of upland central European and

Mediterranean species is a delight for anyone with an interest in botany. We walk through the forests searching out small clearings and meadows where the best of the flowers appear, allowing plenty of time for photography and enjoyment of the natural surroundings.

Duration: whole dayDistance/climb: 5 km/300 m Additional costs: noneTransport: vehicle to drop-off and pick-up points

1.11 OLOT AND ITS LANDSCAPE AS ART La Garrotxa School of Landscape Art is well known throughout Catalonia and this short walk takes us from the local museum where many of their works are on display to La Moixina, one of the landscapes that most captivated the painters that came to the area to work.

Duration: half dayDistance/climb: 4 km/200 m Additional costs: entrance to Museum (3 €)Transport: vehicle to Olot

1.12 THE MEDIEVAL VILLAGE OF SANTA PAU A guided visit to the village of Santa Pau, one of Catalonia’s most important medieval sites. Here we will learn about life in the Middle Ages and the importance of this village to the local feudal lords. We end with a drink under the arches of village’s main square.

Duration: half dayDistance/climb: 2km/100 m Additional costs: noneTransport: vehicle to Santa Pau

GUIDED VISITS


2. L'EMPORDÀ

2.1 BIRDWATCHING IN ELS AIGUAMOLLS DE L’EMPORDÀ Activity designed to see some of the region’s most interesting birds via a pleasant walk from the notable town of Castelló d'Empúries. We start by visiting the town’s Gothic 'cathedral' and historical centre, before picking up the long-distance footpath to the Aiguamolls Natural Park. The route provides excellent opportunities for birdwatching all year (except mid-summer), as well a chance to photograph rare orchids in spring. Half-day options concentrate on the wildlife or Castelló and surrounding areas.

Duration: Half day or whole dayDistance/climb: 12 km/ no climb.Additional costs: 1.75 € entrance to museum in Castelló.Transport: Coach to Castelló or Aiguamolls.

2.2 DOLMENS AND WILDLIFE ON CAP DE CREUS A circular walk from the town of Roses to a number of dolmens in the Cap de Creus Natural Park. The walk starts at the Roses Citadel and heads up to Pla de Gates and the best preserved dolmen in the area, Creu d'en Cobertella. On the way, we look at the wildlife, dry-stone walls, views of this rugged section of the Costa Brava. Best in spring and autumn, possible as a half- or full-day activity.Duration: half day or whole day Distance/climb: 7 km/300 m. Additional costs: NoneTransport: Coach to Roses

2.3 LANDSCAPES, OIL AND WINE IN CAP DE CREUS A walking circuit from the village of Pau with a climb up a paved trail to Mas Ventós and numerous dolmens, with stunning views over the Bay of Roses. Many interesting birds of prey, flowers and reptiles. Once back in Pau we visit the wine and oil Cooperative.

Duration: half day or whole dayDistance/climb: 6 km/400 m. Additional costs: 3 € entrance to cooperative.Transport: coach to Pau.

GUIDED VISITS


2.4 CAP DE CREUS LIGHTHOUSE One of the most beautiful walks in Cap de Creus Natural Park. We take the coastal path from Cadaqués and follow this age-old trail along the rocky coastline as far as the lighthouse at the

easternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula at Cap de Creus itself. On the way, the path passes between dry-stone walls, visits lonely coves and in spring is a riot of colour. Eagles, seabirds, orchids, butterflies all await the walker. At Cap de Creus we can have a drink before being picked up and taken home.

Duration: Whole dayDistance/climb: 6 km/100 m Additional costs: noneTransport: coach to Cadaqués and return from Cap de Creus.

2.5 LANDSCAPES OF THE VALLEY OF LA MUGA A walk along the valley of the river Muga from Boadella reservoir to Pont de Molins. We pass on ancient trail and new walking routes along what is thought to be Catalonia’s cleanest river (as its otters testify!). We pass through shady riparian forests, over medieval bridges and past the quiet villages of Boadella and Les Escaules. The final section takes us to Pont de Molins, where we can have a drink before heading for home.

Duration: whole dayDistance/climb: 11 km/100 m Additional costs: noneTransport: coach to Boadella reservoir and return from Pont de Molins

2.6 ROSES OVER THE CENTURIES Guided visit to the Ciutadella interpretation centre, an archaeological site of over 12 ha inside Roses’ 16th century fortress with remains dating from the Greek and Roman occupation of the area and from the Middle Ages. The visit includes entry into the Ciutadella Museum. From here we walk for 20 minutes to the restored castle of La Trinitat, from where there are wonderful views over the Costa Brava to the Medes islands, north towards Cap de Creus and inland to the high Pyrenees. On a full-day visit we end by visiting the fishing port and fish market.

Duration: half day or whole dayDistance/climb: 2 km/100 m Additional costs: 4 € entrance to fortressTransport: coach to Roses and return

GUIDED VISITS


2.7 MEGALITHIC ITINERARY AROUND ROSES A guided walk

around the main dolmens (pre-historic burial chambers) and standing stones near the coastal port of Roses. We first visit the dolmen of Cap de l’Home and then pass through a landscape dominated by scrub, abandoned fields and dry-stone walls, to the final dolmen of Creu de Cobertella, thought to be the largest burial chamber of its type in Catalonia. At each stop, we will discuss the history of the area, look at the region’s time line and imagine the rituals associated with these fascinating monuments.

Duration: half dayDistance/climb: 5 km/300 m Additional costs: noneTransport: coach to Roses and return

2.8 ON FOOT FROM CAP DE NORFEU TO ROSES A walk from Cap de Norfeu, a special protection area within the Cap de Creus Natural Park, back to Roses along the wonderful coastal path. We pass along one of the best-preserved sections of the Costa Brava to the interpretation centre at Punta Falconera and then back to Roses. We will be looking at both the flora and fauna and geology of the area, and enjoy wonderful views over Roses Bay.

Duration: half dayDistance/climb: 8 km/350 m Additional costs: none (option of taking tourist train to Cap de Norfeu = 5 € pp)Transport: coach to Roses and return

GUIDED VISITS


3. GIRONA

3.1 MEDIEVAL GIRONA The visit starts on the old stone bridge at the entrance to the city. From here, we head into the old town along Les Rambles and to the entrance into the old Jewish Quarter via the street that was once part of Via Augusta, one of the main arteries of Roman empire. At the top of the old town, we reach the magnificent Romanesque/Gothic Cathedral with its fine Baroque façade and staircase. Inside the cathedral we visit its broad nave (the widest Gothic nave in Europe), before heading into the cathedral gardens, the so-called ‘Arab’ baths and into the Archaeological Gardens and the square and church of Sant Feliu.

Duration: half dayDistance/climb: 2km/100 m Additional costs: entrance into Cathedral = 5 €Transport: coach to Girona and return

GUIDED VISITS


3. RIPOLLÈS4.1 CAMPRODON AND SANT ANTONI A walk from Camprodon up to the

church of Sant Antoni, from where there are fine 360 º views of the Pyrenees and surrounding landscapes. This walk is a must for nature-lovers, with fine displays of orchids and other flowers in spring and summer, and a wealth of birds of butterflies. After a picnic lunch on the summit, we stroll back down to the town to visit its narrow streets, with its Romanesque churches and Art Nouveau houses.

Duration: half day or whole dayDistance/climb: 5km/400 m Additional costs: noneTransport: coach to Camprodon and return

4.2 THE SECRET VALLEY OF NÚRIA While not a secret to most Catalans, the Valley of Núria is still little known to foreign tourists. Yet, a ride up in its rack railway – the only one in the Catalan Pyrenees – and a walk down to the ancient village of Queralbs is a delight for all walkers with a love of the high mountains. The walk down follows the old pilgrim’s route along a well-paved trail through the Núria gorge. No car access to the valley means that this is one of the most delightful of all the high Pyrenean valleys and a haven for vultures, gentians, butterflies and chamois.

Duration: whole dayDistance/climb: 8km/800 m Additional costs: train (9 € pp)Transport: coach to Ribes de Freser and return

GUIDED VISITS


GUIDED VISITS

Verd Volcanic was created in 2003 as an association of a number of small enterprises in the Garrotxa working in the field of environmental education.

Its main aim was to improve the quality of the services its members offer in the fields of environmental and cultural education, territorial assessment and formation via a conscious effort to stabilize its workforces and to provide in-service training to its employees and members.

Verd Volcànic also aims to work sustainably towards the conservation of the local environment and territory and promote the preservation of local natural and culture values.

Contact us:

Mike LockwoodT. (+34) 661.956.939

Beth CoboT. (+34) 657.861.805

e-mail: [email protected]


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GUIDED VISITS