Discover Les Planes d’Hostoles: Volcanic Areas, Trails and Festivals

Les Planes d’Hostoles lies on a powerful basalt flow ejected by the Traiter volcano 45,000 years ago. In places, the Brugent River cuts into the basalt layer, forming striking prismatic columns. The Traiter volcano has the status of a nature reserve. The 1982 law protecting the La Garrotxa volcanic zone declared the northern part of Les Planes d’Hostoles a nature park.

Nature and Hiking Trails

The Itinerari el Far passes the Xuriguera oak, considered the tallest sessile oak in Catalonia. The route reaches the El Far sanctuary; from there, it offers magnificent views of the valleys of Sau and Susqueda, the Hostoles Valley, the Serra de Finestres, Rocacorba, the plain of Gironès and the sea.

The sixth stage of the GR 83 begins in Les Planes d’Hostoles and ends in Olot. The Ruta a Sant Pere Sacosta is a moderately difficult 8.7-kilometre hike with an estimated duration of 3 hours and 35 minutes. The Ruta pel nucli antic de les Planes is designed as an easy 3-kilometre hike lasting approximately 30 minutes. The footpath from the centre of Les Planes to Cogolls is 4 kilometres long, has a moderate elevation gain and takes approximately 50 minutes.

The former Carrilet railway route towards Olot has been converted into a Via Verda, suitable for walking and cycling. The section of the Via Verda between Les Planes and Olot offers volcanic landscapes as well as insights into their fauna and flora.

Culture and Local History

The parish church of Sant Cristòfol has been documented since the 12th century. After being destroyed during the Civil War from 1936 to 1939, it was rebuilt and consecrated in 1946. The church of Sant Cristòfol in Cogolls is considered the oldest church in the Hostoles Valley because of a will dated 986 belonging to the farmer Vilmaud.

The old town of Les Planes consists of several historic streets; its buildings and door lintels convey the history of the town. The schools on the Ruta Modernista were inaugurated in 1918 under the direction of the architect Joan Roca i Pinet. The Can Garay Hotel on the Ruta Modernista was completed in 1906.

The Ruta d’art urbà comprises murals at several points in the town centre, including on a street, in the central children’s playground and on Carrer Tarragona.

Festivals and Local Traditions

The Marieta figure of the Jonquer neighbourhood was introduced in May 1986 and has since paraded through the neighbourhood every year during the Sant Isidre festivities around 15 May. The Capgrossos made their first appearance on Corpus Christi in 1947 and have accompanied the giant figures ever since. Jordi and Núria dance in Plaça Nova during the Festa Major and during Santa Espina on the fourth weekend of September.

An Aplec that is very popular in the area takes place every year at the Capella de Sant Grau i ermita de Sant Pelegrí. La Fira del Joc i Productes de la Terra takes place as part of the Santa Espina festivities on the penultimate Saturday in September. The festival offers construction games, large-scale games, puzzle games, board and role-playing games, as well as handicraft workshops and family performances.

Practical Information

During the summer season, from 24 June to 11 September, advance booking is required for the gorges of Les Planes because of restricted access. La Parada del Jonquer is a shaded park with wooden tables, a covered area, a pétanque court, toilets and water.

Other Places

Other places: Espolla, Salt, Gerona, Aiguaviva, Figueres, Biure, Santa Llogaia del Terri, Cantallops

To the overarching travel overview: Girona.