Discover La Vajol: Exile Route, Nature and Remembrance

La Vajol is located in the Les Salines Massif, which is suitable for hiking and BTT activities. From La Vajol, forest roads and trails lead towards France and are suitable for walks and hikes.

Other destinations in the same destination area include Llambilles, Beget, Mollet de Peralada, Palau De Santa Eulàlia, Macanet De Cabrenys, Vilaür, Sant Jaume De Llierca and Gerona.

Nature and trails

The Exile Route begins in La Vajol, passes through the Les Salines Massif, crosses the border and reaches the French village of Les Illes; as a cross-border route dedicated to democratic remembrance, it was inaugurated with signage. The route also enters the Salines-Bassegoda area of natural interest.

Within the network of the Salines Bassegoda BTT Centre, the La Vajol–Les Salines route begins and ends in La Vajol. The BTT route passes through the forests and over the mountain passes of the Les Salines Massif. La Vajol has no regular public transport; travelling by car is the best option. On the official Exile Route, cars can be parked in the car park at the entrance to La Vajol.

Landscape and views

The Mirador de l'Empordà is a viewpoint on the road to Maçanet de Cabrenys. In clear weather, the view from there extends to the tip of Cap de Creus, across the Empordà plain and as far as Montgrí and Baix Empordà.

Culture and remembrance

At the entrance to La Vajol, 100 metres to the left, stands the Monument to Exile, a bronze sculpture commemorating the exiles. The monument depicts a man and his six-year-old daughter, who lost a leg during the bombing by Francoist troops in Monzón in November 1937.

Mina Canta is a former talc mine. During the Spanish Civil War, paintings from the Prado Museum and a treasure worth five hundred million US dollars were stored there. Can Barris was the place where the president of the Spanish Republic, Manuel Azaña, carried out his last official act in February 1939 before going into exile.

At Font de l'Amor in La Vajol, there are various memorial objects and plaques commemorating the exile, the Nazi extermination camps and the Spanish Civil War. The church of Sant Martí de La Vajol was built in the 12th and 13th centuries. The escape-room game EscAPPe Rural La Vajol explores the history and cultural heritage of La Vajol. For several days, La Vajol jointly served as the seat of the Presidency of the Republic and the Presidency of the Government.

Festivals and markets

The Festa Major de Sant Martí includes a dinner with Sant Martí soup followed by music on Saturday evening, as well as a solemn mass, an aperitif and Sardanas on Sunday morning. The Fira mercat Avajonera has taken place in August since 1993 and offers natural and craft products. The Fira Transfronterera del Bolet i la Castanya held its seventh edition on 12 October 2025.

To the main travel overview: Girona.