Sant Joan Les Fonts: Volcanic Trails and Cultural Heritage

Nature and Trails

The Ruta de les 3 colades i les cingleres de basalt is walking route no. 16 in the Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa and offers a short version of 20 minutes and a long version of 1 hour and 45 minutes.

The route passes through the basalt cliff area with Boscarró and the Cingles de Fontfreda, which were formed by the cooling of lava flows from different volcanoes. This route also includes riparian woodland with botanically particularly valuable species.

The Ruta de les Tres Colades is once again fully open following inspection and adaptation works.

Water and Industry

The Ruta fonts i verlets, created by the municipality of Sant Joan Les Fonts, is part of the Itinerànnia network of trails. Water accompanies it along almost its entire route, which passes numerous springs as well as restored canals and irrigation channels.

At Molí Fondo, up to three overlapping lava flows can be seen. Molí Fondo is a former industrial paper mill on the banks of the Riu Fluvià and has been documented since 1723.

The site housed the Torraspapel industry until a new production facility was commissioned a few metres away in 1966. Access to Molí Fondo remained closed because of damage caused by winter storms.

Fàbrica La Sebastiana operated as a textile factory until 1974.

At Molí Fondo, geological and industrial evidence meet: alongside the overlapping lava flows stands the former paper mill on the banks of the Riu Fluvià. Its historical development thus extends from volcanic lava flows to paper production and the later Torraspapel production facility.

Other Destinations

Discover more places here: Gombrèn, Fontanilles, Sant Martí D'empúries, Macanet De Cabrenys, Calonge, Olot, Vallfogona de Ripollès and Madremanya.

Medieval Heritage

The Monestir de Sant Joan les Fonts is a medieval Benedictine monastery dating from the 12th century. A Romanesque church with a basilica-style layout and three naves has been preserved.

The history of the Monestir de Sant Joan les Fonts dates back to around 958. The monastery houses a replica of the Majestat de Sant Joan les Fonts, a polychrome wooden sculpture from the 12th century.

The Estada Juvinyà is a medieval fortified house and was the residence of the knightly Juvinyà family. It houses La Garrotxa's first interpretation centre.

The main façade of the Estada Juvinyà combines a 12th-century tower with the rest of the residential building, added in the 14th century.

The Pont de Sant Joan les Fonts is a medieval bridge from the 12th century, built from volcanic rock, with a large central arch and two side arches.

In the Middle Ages, the Pont de Sant Joan les Fonts served as a strategic crossing and a transport link between the Pyrenees and the Catalan coast.

To the main travel overview: Girona.