Mountain routes through the Pyrenees
The Pyrenees are full of paths, forests and waterfalls to discover. With family, friends or as a couple, put on your boots and get excited to discover the corners of Catalonia. We propose 5 routes through the Pyrenees. They are mountain excursions, of different difficulties, that will take you to discover some of the most beautiful landscapes of the Girona Pyrenees and other historical excursions. Let's go there!
Beget and Rocabruna route along the smugglers' roads
For those of you looking for demanding high mountain routes, we suggest doing the Beget and Rocabruna circular route. It is a long itinerary with quite a gradient (740 m), which will take you along the paths of Alta Garrotxa, very close to Vallespir (France), with magnificent views of the Pyrenees. They are a total of 13 km that can be done in about 4-5 hours.
The itinerary begins in the beautiful medieval village of Beget, from where you have to climb the Malrem pass, bordering the Vallespir. This is a historic mountain pass. Alta Garrotxa has always been a border territory, and its landscape, made up of cliffs, rock walls and leafy forests of holm oaks and oaks, is one of the most unique in the eastern Pre-Pyrenees.
You must follow the route flanking the mountain to the Rocabruna castle. The return to Beget on the other side will take you through waterfalls and pools of water.
Route of the Dous fountain through the plains of Espinalba and Abella
This circular excursion leaves from the town of Llanars, in the Camprodón Valley, suitable for those of you looking for medium mountain routes. They are a total of 11 kilometers and a slope of 575 meters, which will allow you to discover charming places in the Upper Ter Valley, such as the town of La Roca, which is located at the top of a spectacular cliff.
The route is circular, starting and finishing at the Llanars mill bridge. Head to Espinalba to reach the Fountain of the Dous. Return to the towns of Abella and La Roca.
The Camprodón Valley is beautiful all year round and in Llanars itself you will find the Hotel Grèvol Spa, ideal to rest and recharge your batteries after this mountain route. Very close by, in the picturesque town of Setcases, you will find the Hotel La Coma, with a family atmosphere and very suitable for completing your stay with a route or skiing in Vallter. Towards the other side, in Molló, you will find the Hotel Calitxó, with a quiet and familiar atmosphere.
La Vajol Exile Route
If you are fans of history, you will love doing this Vajol exile route, which follows the paths taken by the Republicans who marched to France during the Spanish Civil War. You will cross the border to enter the forests of the Salinas massif in the Empordà. It has a medium difficulty and can be done in about 4 hours. They are 13 km long and 474 km in elevation.
The itinerary begins in the Empordà town of La Vajol and climbs towards the Salinas massif, from where it crosses the border towards Vallespir to the French town of Les Illes. During the tour you will be able to visit various places of Historical Memory while enjoying the magnificent forests of the Salinas massif.
Very close to La Vajol you will find the town of Maçanet de Cabrenys and the Hotel Els Caçadors de Maçanet. And a little further away, in Cantallops, the Hotel Can Xiquet. Both located in the Albera mountain range where you will discover this excursion and many more.
To complete this natural getaway, we recommend taking a look at the healthy proposal of doing a therapeutic forest bath in the Empordà. You will enjoy nature on a guided excursion through the forests of Alt Empordà.
Excursion from Ribes de Freser to the hermitage of Sant Antoni
The Ribes Valley is full of excursions of all levels. Without a doubt, one that cannot be missing from your agenda is the descent from Nuria to Queralbs along the old path (also uphill for the bravest); Without a doubt, it is one of the most spectacular excursions in the Pyrenees. But if you are looking for a different route, we recommend the itinerary that goes from Ribes de Freser to the hermitage of Sant Antoni.
It is an easy excursion with little elevation gain (300 m) and a duration of less than two hours. Start the route along the path that leaves the fountain on San Quintín Street, in Ribes. The climb is continuous and in about 50 minutes you will be at the top, with splendid panoramic views: the imposing Taga massif, the Vall de Núria mountains, the summit of Puigmal, the Collada de Toses, the buttresses of La Molina...
If you want, you can visit the Sant Antoni hermitage and recharge your batteries in the surroundings, enjoying the views and an outdoor picnic. In Ribes itself, you will find the Hotel els Caçadors, with a restaurant included, and a reference in the region.
For a complete weekend, take a look at our recommendations on what to do in the Núria Valley and Camprodón.
Route on the Annia road, in Vall de Bianya
This route runs through the Bianya Valley, next to Olot. The municipality of Vall de Bianya is located between Garrotxa and Ripollès and is made up of large valleys, small forests, streams and beautiful and unfrequented landscapes - or less frequented than other areas of Garrotxa. It is an excursion suitable for all audiences and is well signposted with roaming network signs, but keep in mind that it is 8 km long and has a cumulative elevation gain of 450 meters (it can be done in 2 hours 30 minutes).
The route is circular: it begins and ends in Hostalnou de Bianya. Follow the signs to Sant Miquel del Mont that you will find at the beginning of the route. Before arriving, you will pass by the Torre fountain, the Bastons neck and then you will reach the hermitage of Sant Miquel del Mont. From up there, you will have fabulous views of Vall de Bianya, where the ancient Roman road of Capsacosta or Via Annia passed. You will then continue towards the beautiful Romanesque church of Sant Andreu del Coll, before taking the road back to Hostalnou de Bianya.
Ten minutes from Hostalnou, you will find the Hotel La Perla de Olot, in the capital of the region. An ideal hotel to rest and recover energy, completing a hiking getaway in La Garrotxa.
For more recommendations for walking routes near Olot and to discover this wonderful region of the Pre-Pyrenees of Girona, take a look at these other 7 excursions in Garrotxa and Olot and enjoy the beautiful corners to discover. Another option is to complete your getaway in La Garrotxa with a therapeutic forest bath in one of the two therapeutic forests located near Olot.
