We often tend to summarize Catalonia with its coastline and the Costa Brava. This ignores the fact that in this Spanish region, it is only one step from the coast to the heart of breathtaking mountain landscapes: the Pyrenees of Girona! Here you will find reliefs that are covered with a white coat in winter and reveal green horizons in summer, astonishing volcanoes, an exceptional Romanesque heritage, villages with medieval accents and museums that count the history and the specificities of the territory. A multitude of trails cross national parks and the spaces are also conducive to many outdoor activities. Gastronomy, traditional festivals, wellness itineraries... There are countless reasons to come and relax with family or friends in the Pyrenees of Girona. Here are 10 of them to make you want to cross the border from France.
1- Take part in traditional and popular festivals
The Pyrenees of Girona celebrate local culture and traditions through a multitude of traditional and popular festivals. From June 23 to 24, music and fireworks enliven the unmissable St. John's night! In Olot, at the beginning of September, the festivities of the Virgin of Tura see the streets and squares being the scene of numerous activities. A visit to Sant Feliu de Pallerols can be an opportunity to participate in the Dance of the Small Horses, Giants and the Big Mule, which celebrates the victory of the Christians over the Muslims. How about going back in time at the Medieval Fair of Besalú? Or maybe you'd rather take part in the Wool and Peasant Wedding Festival in Ripoll, an event that recalls two traditions of the Ripollès region: the rites of the old wedding and the shearing of the sheep and offering of the wool. The Gala de Campdevànol, which celebrates the triumph of the people over the rights of the feudal lord, is also worth mentioning. Keep an eye on the agenda, the Pyrenees of Girona are a festive territory!
2- Visit the natural parks of the Pyrenees of Girona
Among the natural parks in the Pyrenees of Girona, you should not miss the Natural Park of the Capçaleres of the Ter and Freser, composed of valleys and green meadows, high peaks and glaciers. It is the place to be for those who love outdoor activities, boating on a lake or conquering a peak like Puigmal. Forests, valleys and mountains also symbolize the landscapes of the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park, which is home to over 1,400 species of animals and plants. It is as much fun to ride a mountain bike as it is to stop in charming villages like Gombrèn and Alp. And what about the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park with its 40 green volcanic cones, lava flows and the Fageda d'en Jordà, a spectacular forest of beech, oak and holm oak? The Girona Pyrenees invite you to commune with a powerful nature, and what a nature!
3- Test the local gastronomy
There is no lack of opportunity to awaken the taste buds in the Pyrenees of Girona. The valleys of Camprodon and Ribes offer delicious mountain cuisine, based on horse meat, sheep and other potatoes. In the Ripollès, you can even enjoy simple, aromatic cuisine in a restaurant with a Michelin star: the Fonda Xesc inn in Gombrèn. The capital of this territory also invites you to taste its craft beer Minera and its delicious cold cuts. The Cerdanya valley is also gourmet, with dishes that highlight the best of local ingredients: cabbage, porcini mushrooms, morels, potatoes, Talltendre turnips, girolles, quince aioli, cheeses and the famous Puigcerdà pears.
4- Admire the Romanesque art
Lovers of ancient architecture, get ready to be amazed in the Pyrenees of Girona. The area is a true sanctuary ofRomanesque art. The Sant Pere de Rodes complex is perhaps the most convincing example, with a monastery at the top of the Verdera mountain range, consisting of a church with its bell tower, monastic cells, a dining room and other outbuildings. Another example is Vilabertran, where the 11th-12th century church, the cloister and the 12th century abbot's palace form another remarkable ensemble. The cathedral of Santa Maria de Girona, the monastery of Santa Maria de Ripoll and the church of Sant Miquel de Cuixà in Besalú are also worth a visit.
5- Plan hiking tours
Take good walking shoes with you on your next vacation in the Girona Pyrenees! The area is a real paradise for hikers. There are many possibilities, with the possibility of walking through the Vall de Núria, a sublime glacial valley in the eastern part of the Pyrenees. We continue with the GR-50, a hiking trail that crosses the high mountain landscapes of the Natural Park of Cadí-Moixeró. Change of scenery, but also of format, with the possibility of guided tours through the volcanic landscapes, cliffs and rivers of La Garrotxa. Another possibility is to go to the Malniu lake, a treasure of the Cerdanya. The waters of the lake, the coniferous forests, the mountains... The panorama is just magnificent!
6- Wander through the museums
Whether you're on vacation for two, with family or friends, another good reason to go to the Pyrenees is to visit its museums. For art lovers, the Girona Art Museum houses pieces dating from Roman times to the dawn of the 20th century in the sumptuous setting of the former bishop's palace. In Olot, you can learn more about the magnificent landscapes of the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park by visiting theEspai Cràtera place that allows you to discover the volcanoes from inside a volcano! While in Ripoll, you should not miss a visit to the ethnographic museum, which houses important collections related to the world of shepherds, farmers, religion, Catalan forging and wrought iron. It is the first ethnographic museum in Catalonia.
7- Celebrate at the Girona Pyrenees Festivals
In the Pyrenees of Girona, festivals celebrate art and bring together locals and visitors to live joyful moments. During the month of June in Banyoles, the Festival of the Voice celebrates the beautiful natural instrument of the vocal chords in a variety of musical styles. Throughout the month of July, the Planestiueja't in Les Planes d'Hosteles offers various shows with music or even film sessions! The Isaac Albéniz Music Festival, in the prestigious setting of the Sant Pere de Camprodon Monastery, pays tribute to classical music and the Spanish piano virtuoso of the same name.
8- Discover the specificities of volcanic gastronomy
In the Garrotxa region, you can have many experiences. Surprised by the beauty of the landscapes, we take advantage of a visit to the area to try a volcanic gastronomy, which has taken advantage of abundant natural resources. The cuisine of La Garrotxa is characterized by the use of local and regional products, with vegetables, fruits, legumes and cereals from a fertile volcanic soil. At the La Xiquella farm and cheese factory in the heart of the Vall d'En Bas region, you can enjoy food and wine pairings in a rural and bucolic setting. In the fortified medieval village of Santa Pau, you can't leave without tasting the beans! And let's not forget Olot, the capital of Garrotxa, which also offers many flavors, such as focaccia with bacon and stuffed potatoes.
9- Use the greenways by bike
The greenways are cycling routes that have been built along former railroad lines. In the Girona Pyrenees, renting a bike is an excellent way to enjoy the varied landscapes of the area. Bicycle on the road or mountain bike on winding mountain roads, you can start by crossing the forests, fields and villages of the volcanic region of La Garrotxa. From Ripoll to Sant Joan de les Abadesses in the Ripollès region, you can enjoy sublime views of the mountains and rivers of the Girona Pyrenees. There are many options for enjoying the landscape by bike. A way of moving that is good for your health and also for the environment!
10- Follow a therapeutic itinerary in the Health Forests
A stay in the middle of nature helps to clear the mind, to feel better and to quickly feel many benefits. The Pyrenees of Girona offer the possibility of " forest baths " to those who wish to follow therapeutic routes designed to bring well-being. The Sèlvans association is working on several routes in the forests of the Catalan territory. Do not hesitate to ask for information to take part in these immersions in the forest. Sylvotherapy has the effect of reducing anxiety, fatigue and stress. It develops observation and attention skills, improves concentration, mood and sleep.
