The best walks and hikes around Olot

Olot, situated within the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, offers a diverse range of hiking trails. You'll find paths that traverse dormant volcanic cones, ancient lava flows, and lush forests, including holm-oak, common oak, and the unique beech forest of Fageda d'en Jordà. The terrain varies, providing options from gentle strolls to more challenging treks across volcanic landscapes.

Yes, Olot has many family-friendly options. Out of over 110 hiking routes, nearly 50 are classified as easy. A great choice for families is the Fageda d'en Jordà trailhead – Croscat Volcano Scoria Slopes loop, which is an easy 6.2 km (3.9 miles) path through the enchanting beech forest and near the Croscat Volcano.

Many trails in the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park are dog-friendly, allowing you to explore the unique volcanic landscape with your canine companion. It's always recommended to keep dogs on a leash to protect wildlife and ensure a pleasant experience for all hikers. Specific regulations may apply in certain protected areas, so check local signage.

The region is rich in unique natural features. You can explore several dormant volcanoes, such as the Santa Margarida Volcano, famous for its hermitage inside the crater, and the Croscat Volcano Scoria Slopes, which reveals its interior due to past mining. Don't miss the enchanting Fageda d'en Jordà beech forest, growing on a lava flow with its distinctive volcanic hummocks. For stunning views, consider the Ruta dels Miradors (Viewpoints Route) in Olot, with the Montsacopa volcano summit offering 360-degree panoramas.

Yes, many popular routes around Olot are circular, allowing you to start and end at the same point. A highly recommended circular route is the Volcán de Santa Margarida and Volcán del Croscat circular trail, which covers approximately 12.1 km (7.5 miles) and takes you through two prominent volcanoes and the Fageda d'en Jordà.

Olot offers great hiking opportunities throughout the year, but spring and autumn are particularly pleasant. In spring, the landscape is vibrant and green, while autumn transforms the Fageda d'en Jordà beech forest into a spectacular display of colors. Summers can be warm, so early morning or late afternoon hikes are advisable. Winter hiking is also possible, with cooler temperatures and a different kind of serene beauty.

Hiking durations vary significantly depending on the route's length and difficulty. Easy trails, like those through Fageda d'en Jordà, might take 1.5 to 2 hours. Moderate routes, such as the Santa Margarida Volcano Crater loop (11.5 km / 7.1 miles), typically take around 3 to 3.5 hours. More challenging or longer combined routes can extend to half a day or more.

Yes, the area around Olot features several beautiful waterfalls and natural pools. You can find highlights like the Molí dels Murris Pool or the Can Cotilla Waterfall. These natural attractions often make for refreshing stops during your hike and are popular spots to enjoy the natural beauty of the region.

There are designated parking areas available at key access points to the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, especially near popular trailheads like those leading to Santa Margarida and Croscat volcanoes, and the Fageda d'en Jordà. Some parking lots may have a small fee, particularly during peak season, to help maintain the park. Always check local signage for specific parking regulations.

Olot itself is accessible by bus from major cities like Barcelona and Girona. Once in Olot, local bus services or walking can get you to some trailheads. For routes deeper within the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, public transport options might be limited, and a car is often more convenient for direct access to specific starting points. However, the former railway line connecting Olot to Girona has been converted into a greenway, which is accessible by public transport at various points and popular for walking.

The hiking trails around Olot cater to all levels of experience. Out of over 110 routes, about 47 are considered easy, 54 are moderate, and 11 are more difficult. This means you can find anything from gentle walks through forests and around volcano bases to more strenuous treks with greater elevation changes, such as the Sant Valentí Shrine Viewpoint loop, which features over 230 meters of elevation gain.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars from over 500 reviews. Reviewers often praise the unique volcanic landscapes, the enchanting Fageda d'en Jordà beech forest, and the well-maintained trails that offer a mix of natural beauty and geological interest. The opportunity to explore dormant volcanoes and their craters is a particular highlight for many.