In the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, there's an enchanting beech forest perfect for family hiking: La Fageda d’en Jordà.
Although you can visit La Fageda d’en Jordà all year round, its family-friendly trails make it the perfect place to enjoy a nature walk in the middle of summer, as the trees shield you from the sun.
In the mood for some fresh air? 😉
Technical details
- Difficulty: easy.
- Length: 1.5 km (round trip).
- Elevation gain: 0 m.
- Duration: 30 minutes.
- Start: Can Serra car park.
- Finish: Can Serra car park.
- Date completed (photos): July, 2018.
Inside La Fageda d’en Jordà
Can Serra car park
Leave your car at the Can Serra car park (marked on the map at the end of this post) and head towards the information office.
Besides maps and information (obviously), you'll find a restroom and a water fountain to refill your reusable bottles.
From the office, you'll already spot the start of a passage that goes under the road connecting Olot and Santa Pau. Once you come out on the other side, you'll be right in La Fageda.
The Joan Maragall circular trail
From this point on, you just need to follow the markers for trail nº 2 through La Fageda d’en Jordà.
Actually, the route is lollipop-shaped, as it starts with an out-and-back path, connects to the circular loop, and heads back along the same initial trail.
This beech forest sits on a lava flow from the Croscat volcano that stretches between Olot, Santa Pau, and the village of Les Preses.
Now, all that's left is to enjoy the shade and the forest scent during your walk.
Note: although the trail is suitable for children and seniors, it isn't adapted for strollers or wheelchairs, as there are stairs at the beginning, it isn't paved, and beech roots poke out everywhere.
Further along in La Fageda
There are actually many paths crossing La Fageda d’en Jordà.
Apart from the short Joan Maragall trail described in this article, you can stroll through the beech forest while following:
- Route 1, which crosses La Fageda towards the Santa Margarida volcano and Croscat volcano (10 km, 4 hours).
- Route 3, connecting Olot with Santa Pau (14.5 km, 4.5 hours).
- Even the long-distance GR2 trail passes through La Fageda.
For instance, we walked part of Route 1 towards the Santa Margarida volcano up to the edge of the beech forest, and then turned back the way we came to make the most of its shade in the middle of August. 🙂
How to get there
By car
In the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, you'll find several parking areas where you can leave your vehicle and enjoy your hike worry-free.
During low season, parking is free, but throughout all of August and on many key dates throughout the year (including almost all weekends and public holidays), you can park your car for €4/day.
Specifically, the Can Serra car park where the route starts is halfway between Olot and Santa Pau.
By bus
Using the Teisa bus company, you can reach neighboring towns and even the parking lots in the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park from cities like Barcelona, Girona, or Figueres.
I've included the direct link to the bus company at the end of this post in case you want to plan your route.
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: the trail is in the shade, but it's still never a bad idea to bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen, especially in summer.
- What to wear: Light layers or warm clothes depending on the season, along with sturdy hiking 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 is spring (April, May, and June).
Autumn tends to get very crowded, and in the height of summer, high temperatures restrict hiking hours to early mornings.
However, since La Fageda d’en Jordà offers immense shade with several trails to choose from, it’s completely feasible to walk through it during the summer, just like we did.
Just take your time and remember to pack sunscreen and plenty of water.
Winter is also a great time to visit: fewer hikers and no sweltering heat. However, you'll be more dependent on the weather.
Where to sleep
You'll find plenty of places to stay in Olot, as well as some charming spots in smaller villages.
We stayed on the outskirts of Santa Pau, in a villa with a gorgeous 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.
What I definitely recommend is staying overnight around Santa Pau to enjoy its cobblestone alleys at sunset.
Useful links
- Teisa Buses.
- Places to stay in Olot.
- Places to stay in Santa Pau.
- 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.
- 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
Any curious details about your experience in La Fageda d’en Jordà? Tell me in the comments.