The best panoramic viewpoint to see the lava cliffs in Castellfollit de la Roca

The first time I saw a photo of Castellfollit de la Roca, I thought: "I just have to see that volcanic cliff with my own eyes."

It took a little while, but I finally found the perfect spot.

Want to know where we took the photos you see in this post? Then keep reading! 😉

In search of the best views of Castellfollit de la Roca's basalt cliff

Castellfollit de la Roca is one of the medieval villages located inside the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park.

What makes Castellfollit truly special is that its oldest quarter sits perched on a basalt rock cliff formed by two overlapping lava flows, exposed over time by the river carving its way past.

The result? Just take a look at the photos on this page!

A bridge with views of Castellfollit

The first time I drove past Castellfollit de la Roca back in 2018, I couldn't find the ideal spot to peacefully admire its volcanic wall.

But for my second visit, I did some digging and found this gorgeous wooden bridge:

I've pinned its location on the map at the end of this post, along with a few spots where you can leave your car:

1. Right near the bridge—though with very few spaces and not signposted.
2. Or further away, if you have a little time to do the panoramic circular trail I've mapped out below.

Circular hiking route around Castellfollit

Heads up:

At the parking lot next to Hostal Mont-Rock, there is a sign stating that parking is for customers of the hostel-restaurant only. There are other parking areas if you'd rather not risk any hassle—I've marked them on the map.

Trail details

The route starts at the parking area, heads down to the bridge where you can take in these views, and then climbs up to the old town via a flight of stairs.

From there, after wandering around the medieval streets and soaking up the town's vistas, you can head back to wherever you parked your car.

Here's a detailed route map on Wikiloc (it's not mine, since I didn't have time to complete the whole loop myself):

What to bring

• Snacks: it's a very short walk, so you don't really need to pack food. That said, having a handful of nuts in your pocket never hurts, right?
• Water: I recommend bringing at least 0.5 to 1 liter of water per person, especially in summer (June, July, August, or September).
• Sun protection: there isn't much shade along the path, so definitely bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen, especially in summer.
• Clothing: light or warm layers depending on the season, and comfortable shoes.
• Travel insurance: if you don't have Spanish citizenship, book your IATI travel insurance through this link and get a 5% discount. They offer customizable coverage to fit your needs and pay all medical expenses upfront if you call them first. I never travel without them anymore (outside of Spain, of course).

When to go

The best time to visit the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park and its villages is spring (April, May, and June).

During this time, along with lush green fields and blooming flowers, the river will be flowing with more water.

Fall tends to get quite busy thanks to the stunning autumn foliage (also gorgeous!), and in the heat of summer, hiking is best limited to the early morning hours.

However, because it's such a short walk (you can even just stroll down to the bridge to enjoy the view), visiting Castellfollit during the summer is totally doable.

Winter is also a great time: very few hikers around and no sweltering heat. Just keep an eye on the weather forecast!

Where to sleep

You'll find a great selection of places to stay in Olot as well as some charming spots in the surrounding villages, and even in Castellfollit de la Roca itself, although for me it was a quick stopover between destinations:

My experience

Santa Pau

In 2018, we stayed on the outskirts of Santa Pau in a lovely villa with a private garden that we found on Airbnb.

We loved it! But it's no longer available for rent, so I can't share the direct link with you.

Vall de Bianya

In 2019, we stayed at La Masía del Puig.

To get there, I recommend taking the road heading towards Castellar de la Muntanya from Sant Joan les Fonts.

Fair warning: if Google Maps tries to take you down a different route, resist! That other track is strictly for 4x4s.

Even following these directions, there comes a point where the tarmac ends and turns into a gravel and dirt track where you'll need to drive slowly so you don't ruin your tyres.

Is such a tricky drive worth it?

Absolutely, yes. 😉

And if you don't believe me, see for yourself:

Why did I love La Masía del Puig so much?

• It's nestled in Vall de Bianya with sunrise views that will take your breath away.
• They serve delicious breakfasts and dinners made with local ingredients, some straight from their own organic veggie patch.
• Its setting and design have been meticulously crafted so you can relax and leave all your worries behind the moment you set eyes on it.

The only downside is that it comes with a hefty price tag (no surprise there—this place is pure bliss for the senses).

A weekend night with breakfast costs €154, and a 2-course dinner + dessert and drinks is €32.50 per person. That came to a total of €219 (€109.50/person).

Would I go back? As soon as I can. 😉

Southern Garrotxa

B&B La Rectoria de Sant Miquel de Pineda is tucked away in a grove in the south of La Garrotxa.

This hidden gem of a rural hotel goes completely unnoticed as you drive along the road linking Sant Esteve d’en Bas with Sant Feliu de Pallerols. In fact, you'll probably miss the entrance if you don't pay close attention.

Why did I love it so much?

• They serve mouthwatering dinners, lunches, and breakfasts using seasonal local produce. Raw milk cheeses, tomatoes that actually taste like tomatoes, homemade cured meats... even artisanal ice cream!
• They provide organic shower gel and shampoo that smell so amazing I felt like taking several showers in a row (which I didn't do, of course, to respect the accommodation's eco-friendly energy-saving spirit).
• It's small, charming, and peaceful at night. Combine that with a bed that was pure heaven to sleep in, and all it needed was a roaring fire to be sheer perfection... Wait a minute, they had one of those too! 😉
• The couple running it are wonderful. They reminded me so much of the owners of a farmhouse we used to escape to all the time years ago... The kind of people who make you feel right at home.

We didn't have time to cycle the greenway trail right outside their door or take a dip in the garden's outdoor pool (despite the gorgeous weather we had back in March 2019).

So now we have a couple of excuses to go back. 😉

One night on half board (breakfast and dinner included) cost us €158. And seeing how incredible the food was, next time I'm booking full board.

Useful links

• La Masía del Puig.
• B&B La Rectoria de Sant Miquel de Pineda.
• Places to stay in Olot.
• Where to stay in Castellfollit – Deals.
• Flights to Girona and Barcelona: Trabber, eDreams, Momondo, and Vueling.
• 5% discount when booking your travel insurance with IATI.

If you're exploring Catalonia, here are a few other itineraries you might like:

• Hike inside the Santa Margarida volcano in La Garrotxa.
• Shaded walk through the Fageda d’en Jordà.
• Rupit – Salt de Sallent circular trail.
• Follow the smugglers' trail: Beget – Rocabruna.
• Montserrat trail: funicular-Santa Magdalena-Sant Miquel-monastery.
• Montserrat circular route: from the monastery to the summit of Sant Jeroni.
• Challenge your perspective at the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres.

Map

I'll be posting more guides soon on hiking routes and visiting the villages of La Garrotxa. If you want to be the first to know, sign up for the newsletter.

Know of any other great viewpoints in Castellfollit de la Roca? Drop them in the comments, I'm all ears! 😉