Spain's most important volcanic area features 40 volcanic cones and 20 lava fields covered in beech forests and medieval villages. The Santa Margarida crater with its Romanesque chapel is iconic. Castellfollit de la Roca sits atop a 50m basalt cliff.
La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park (Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa) in the province of Girona, Catalonia, protects the most significant volcanic landscape in the Iberian Peninsula — 40 volcanic cones, 20 lava flows, and a geological record spanning approximately 11,500 years, all within a 150-square-kilometre protected area. The volcanoes are extinct but geologically recent: the Croscat volcano last erupted around 7,700 years ago. The landscape they created is unexpectedly gentle — conical hills draped in beech forest, fertile agricultural valleys enriched by volcanic soil, medieval villages perched on dark basalt cliffs, and a topography utterly unlike the surrounding Catalan countryside. The Santa Margarida volcano (956m) is the iconic centerpiece: a 1km-wide grassy crater containing a perfectly preserved Romanesque chapel, the Ermita de Santa Margarida. A 45-minute signed trail from the Can Serra car park descends into the crater for a close view of this striking juxtaposition of geology and medieval architecture. The Croscat volcano has been partially quarried, revealing in cross-section the internal structure of alternating lava and ash layers, now protected within the park. The town of Olot, the park's gateway, has a Natural Sciences Museum dedicated to the volcanic landscape's ecology and geology. Castellfollit de la Roca — a village of around 1,000 inhabitants, 10km from Olot — occupies an extraordinary position on a 50m basalt cliff at the confluence of the Fluvià and Toronell rivers. A network of signed cycling and walking routes connects the main volcanic features.
Good to know
- Hours
- Always open
- Best time
- spring or fall
- Best for
- nature lovers, hiking, cycling
Location
Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa, 17800 Olot
42.1727, 2.5342 View on map
Highlights
- Santa Margarida crater with a Romanesque chapel inside a 1km-wide grassy caldera
- Croscat volcano cross-section revealing internal lava and ash layers in the cliff face
- Castellfollit de la Roca village perched on a sheer 50m basalt cliff above the river
- 40 volcanic cones covered in beech forest — the densest volcanic concentration in Iberia
- Medieval village of Besalú with fortified Romanesque bridge, 10km from the park center
Tips for visiting
- Hire bikes in Olot to explore the trails
- Visit Castellfollit de la Roca for dramatic cliff village views
- Best wildflower season is April-May
When to visit
Spring (April-May) is ideal for wildflowers and the first bright green beech leaves emerging from the cones. Autumn (October-November) brings spectacular golden and amber beech forest color across the volcanic landscape. Summer is warm but the forest shade keeps trails comfortable.
Accessibility
The main volcanic trail to Santa Margarida involves a moderate 4km round trip on gravel and earth paths. The crater interior is accessible to most visitors but not suitable for wheelchairs. The Olot Natural Sciences Museum is fully accessible. Cycling routes on the flat valley floor provide accessible exploration for many visitors.
Frequently asked questions
Can visitors enter the volcano craters?
Yes. The Santa Margarida crater is fully accessible via a 45-minute trail and visitors can walk freely inside the crater. The Croscat volcano is viewable from marked paths but not entered. Both sites are free of charge.
Is the park suitable for families with children?
Yes. The Santa Margarida crater trail is relatively easy and suitable for children aged 5 and over. Cycling routes on quiet tracks through the volcanic landscape are an excellent family option with bike rentals available in Olot.
Do I need a car to visit the park?
A car is very helpful for reaching the main volcanic features efficiently. Bus services from Girona and Barcelona connect to Olot; from Olot, cycling or local taxis reach the volcanic cones. The park is not easily explored on foot from Olot alone in a single day.