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Lakes & Volcanoes of the Garrotxa
Nights: 7
Starting point: Sala de Camós (3*), Sant Vincenç de Camós. Nestling in a tranquil green valley and dating from the 12th century, this hotel is a beautifully restored rectory. Behind the impressive stone façade lies a blend of old and new, the contemporary décor creating a stylish contrast with the original features such as beamed ceilings. Nowadays the watchtower houses a library, while the Gothic hall makes a handsome setting for the excellent restaurant serving a selection of seasonal dishes. Outside are attractive gardens and a swimming pool. Day 1: you begin with an easy circuit through woods and open fields to the shore of Estany de Banyoles, the largest natural lake in Catalonia, which is fed by underground rivers and shelters enormous carp. The fertile landscape is in stark contrast to the surrounding Mediterranean scenery. There are several cafés where you can pause for refreshments and enjoy the views of the Pyrenees lining the horizon. (29km) Accommodation: Sala de Camós, as above. Day 2: linking the historic towns of Camós and Besalú, this route takes you away from the coastal plain, across the wheat fields and pine woods of the Martís Plateau, with great views towards the eastern Pyrenees. In clear weather you can make out some of the highest peaks, including Canigou. On arrival, take time to explore Besalú, which you enter via its fortified Romanesque bridge spanning the River Fluvià. The paved streets are lined with medieval mansions with ornate windows, and small shops hide under the arcades. (30km) Accommodation: Jardins de la Martana (2*), Besalú. You are welcomed by Ana and her team to this delightful hotel, which combines original features such as Art Deco tiled floors with more modern touches. Boasting a library and a gallery that now serves as the breakfast room, it was originally a doctor’s house, and medicinal herbs still grow in the large garden that stretches down to the river by the bridge. You stay on a bed and breakfast basis, leaving you free to try one of the restaurants in the town. Day 3: Besalú's importance and wealth as the 'gateway to the Pyrenees' was shared by several surrounding villages. Discover some of these pretty, stone-built settlements by following the River Fluvià eastwards before heading northwards through undulating landscapes. (25km) Accommodation: Jardins de la Martana, as above. Day 4: a long but rewarding route which reveals the Garrotxa's great scenic variety. You begin by following the River Fluvià west towards Castellfollit de la Roca, whose houses cling precariously to the edge of a 60-metre-high basalt cliff above the river. A section through woodland - rich in both Pyrenean and Mediterranean flora due to the fertile volcanic soils - reveals a multitude of different shades of green. Passing between two volcanoes seemingly guarding the town, you enter bustling Olot, where you can pause to admire the wide boulevards and 18th and 19th-century houses of the centre, amid which are some interesting Art Nouveau buildings. Leaving the town, you continue through the Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park, joining a disused narrow-gauge railway which rises gently to a pass before descending equally steadily into the pretty town of Les Planes. (59km) Accommodation: Can Garay (2* rural hotel), Les Planes. A stunning Art Nouveau family home which has been lovingly converted by your host Lluis Garay, great grandson of the original owner, who was keen to preserve original features such as the stained glass windows above the stairs and has even managed to salvage many of the original furnishings. There are just six spacious bedrooms and one suite, ensuring real intimacy. Facilities include a reading room, a lounge with a fireplace and large gardens shaded by centuries-old trees and dotted with fountains. Day 5: discover the hidden valleys and waterfalls of this beautiful corner of the Garrotxa on a relaxing circuit that takes in two distinct river valleys, both of which bore witness to many battles and insurrections during the Middle Ages. (31km) Accommodation: Can Garay, as above. Day 6: your last day offers plenty of opportunities to stop en route, including the old station town of Amer and the medieval village of Anglès. Following the vía verde along one of its prettiest legs, you descend gradually through the ancient woodland of La Selva to meet the River Ter which brings you through rich pastureland into the walled medieval city of Girona. This is a wonderful and often-overlooked city which makes a great place to finish your journey. As the route is quite short, you have time on arrival to wander through the labyrinth of narrow streets and hidden courtyards, or simply relax on the waterfront where pastel-coloured houses are reflected in the river. Girona is steeped in history - the city withstood nearly thirty attacks and sieges, earning the name 'the Immortal City'. Be sure to take a stroll along the walls and seek out the striking Gothic cathedral and the best-preserved Jewish Quarter in Western Europe. (36km) Accommodation: Hotel Peninsular (2*), Girona. Built on the site of an old convent, this family-run hotel is conveniently located just a few minutes' walk from the cathedral. The bedrooms are comfortable and modern in style, while the smart breakfast room is in the old vaulted cellar. We provide restaurant recommendations for dinner (pay locally). Recommendations for extra nights: Hotel Peninsular (Girona) to give you more time to discover this hidden gem of a city. Other information: if you would like to see the brochure page, you can download this (and the pages for any other holidays you are interested in) by using our brochure creation system. Similar holidays: La Rioja's Rolling Hills & Vineyards (grade 2), Lakes & Valleys of Slovenia (grade 2), Medieval Villages of the South-West (grade 2), The Secrets of Western Tuscany (grade 2) Prices & travel 2008:
Recommended destination airports: Girona & Barcelona Extra night prices 2008 (extra nights can be booked at any hotel):
> Notes on prices > Any queries? Let us call you back  |
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The tranquil, wooded hills of the Garrotxa lead down towards the sea from the great peaks of the Pyrenees, and mark the transition from the mountain to the Mediterranean landscape. Around the little town of Olot rise the conical masses of ancient volcanoes, a truly surprising topography. Blessed by a truly Mediterranean climate, this is one of Catalonia’s least-known and most varied regions, where you cycle among ancient stone villages, dotted between wheat fields and pine woods, on your way to the fascinating city of Girona. You stay in some unique and splendid hotels, and experience a variety of landscapes. 
Sala de Camós 
