The chromatic variations and the scenery between volcanoes and lava flows make this beech forest one of the most iconic natural sites, which can be discovered in different ways. We explain how to do it
Few things can be said more beautifully of a forest than that it makes you fall into the sweet oblivion of the whole world. This was written by the poet Joan Maragall and reflects the magic of La Fageda d’en Jordà, one of Catalonia’s iconic places that is on the autumn must-see list. Because this corner of nature in La Garrotxa offers a labyrinth of beech trees that will take you away from the worries of everyday life, so it’s high time you put it on your getaway list.
La Fageda d’en Jordà allows visitors to travel to a place of exceptional natural and scenic wealth. Not only does it have a peculiar location, as it grows on the lava flow of the Croscat volcano, but it also offers a spectacle of colours on its moss-covered ground or upholstered with leaves in tones ranging from yellow to red or toasted. Undoubtedly, a fairytale atmosphere that can be enjoyed in different ways. Here are all the details
Routes to discover la Fageda d’en Jordà
This forest is one of the most curious places in Catalonia. It is translated as Hayedo de Jordà and is located at 550 metres above sea level, an altitude below those usually found in beech forests (they usually grow above 900 metres). It is also one of the 28 nature reserves in the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park. There are different itineraries of varying difficulty and duration along which you can walk and enjoy the magic of the forest.
This is the shortest and most popular. A circular route of 1.5 km, ideal if you go with children, as the route takes approximately 35 minutes on foot. It starts at the Can Serra information centre (Fageda d’en Jordá), where you can ask for information and maps of the trail. After negotiating some stairs you will enter the heart of the forest, where you will be able to admire the characteristic ‘tossols’, prominences of up to twenty metres in height generated by the lava flow itself, as well as the leafy trees.
This route not only allows you to enjoy the natural beauty of La Fageda d’en Jordà, but also to discover two other great natural totems of the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park: the calderas of Croscat and Santa Margarida, which has a peculiar chapel in the middle of the volcanic cone. However, this route is more demanding than the previous one: the 11 km route can take more than 4 hours. We recommend starting at the Can Serra area (in the Fageda d’en Jordà), although you can also start at the Santa Margarida area. And if you decide to do this route, you should know that the visit to the Croscat volcano requires prior booking.
Activities to enjoy in La Fageda d’en Jordà
In addition to the routes that can be done on foot, there are also other alternatives to immerse yourself in the exuberant nature of this peculiar forest, always respecting the natural environment:
- Carriage ride. There is the option of taking a tour through the forest in a horse-drawn carriage. This service lasts approximately one hour. You will be able to get off, walk around and take photos of the autumnal scenery, full of nature. More information here
- A walk through the La Fageda cooperative. Don’t miss the tour of the “La Fageda” cooperative, where dairy products such as yoghurts are made. This is a social project to promote the integration of people with mental disabilities into the labour market. More information here
- Other places. And if you have time, take advantage of this getaway to discover Olot, the capital of La Garrotxa, where you can visit the Volcano Museum, visit the cloister of the old convent of El Carme or, if you prefer, visit the Museum of the Saints. You can also savour the delicious gastronomy of the restaurants in the villages in and around the park.
Conclusion
Romantic for couples, ideal for families. La Fageda d’en Jordà is one of those forests that you have to visit at least once in your life and, if possible, in autumn, to enjoy nature’s festival of colours, with the fallen leaves of the beech trees forming a dreamlike mantle that is worth discovering without haste and in good company.
