Mountain Biking in the Garrotxa

The Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park in the province of Girona, Catalonia, covers 15,000 hectares of ancient lava fields, beech-oak forest, and medieval villages perched on basalt outcrops. The landscape was shaped by more than 40 extinct volcanic cones active up to 11,000 years ago, and the resulting terrain—a mosaic of rolling hillsides, sheltered valleys, and dark volcanic soil—creates trail conditions ranging from smooth forest singletrack to rocky lava-bed climbs rarely found elsewhere in Mediterranean Europe. The park's marked network encompasses roughly 350 kilometres of routes, a significant portion open to mountain biking, with the hub centred on Olot.

Route designers have connected the volcanoes into itineraries, the most celebrated of which is the Volcans circuit—a 35-kilometre loop linking the Croscat volcano (Spain's youngest, active around 11,000 years ago), the Santa Margarida crater, and the Fageda d'en Jordà, a beech forest growing directly on a 700-year-old lava flow. The Fageda's flat floor and dense canopy make one section almost otherworldly for cycling; the trail exits through the hamlet of Sant Joan les Fonts. An intermediate circuit of 55 kilometres covers the full park perimeter and includes the more technical southern section through the Collsacabra plateau, where lava-road surfaces and panoramic views toward the Pyrenees reward the climbs.

Bike rental is available in Olot from several outfitters, typically offering hardtail and full-suspension options with helmets, maps, and basic repair kits included. Guided rides depart from Olot on weekend mornings between April and October, combining cycling with geological interpretation of the volcanic landscape. The routes use a mix of forest tracks, rural lanes closed to motor traffic, and short unpaved municipal paths.

The standard Volcans circuit is graded moderate with around 700 metres of cumulative elevation gain over 35 kilometres—no technical skills required. The advanced Collsacabra extension adds sustained climbs and technical descent sections. The park enforces a low-speed limit on shared walker-cyclist sections, and riders should yield to hikers in the Fageda forest. Wildlife includes red squirrels, wild boar, and occasional black kites.