The beech forest of Fageda d'en Jordà, one of the 26 natural reserves in the Natural Park, stands on the lava flow from the volcano Croscat in the municipalities of Santa Pau, Olot and Les Preses.

La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Nature Park Information Centre Casal volcans. Tel. 972 26 81 12. Opening hours: weekdays and Saturdays 10.00-14.00 and 16.00-18.00. Public holidays and sundays 10.00-14.00.

Beeches (Fagus sylvatica) grow on the undlating lava flow -interrupted only by a series of volcanic hummocks (tossols) -originating from the volcano Croscat at an altitude of only 500 m. This forest has been a source of inspiration for artists such as Joan Maragall, who wrote the poem that gave this forest its fame (there is a monolith dedicated to the poet at the beginning of Natural Park Itinerary 2).

Access: Can be reached on foot along Natural Park Itinerary 2 (a 30-min walk through the beech wood from the Can Serra car park, on the left after 4 km along the road from Olot to Santa Pau). Alternatively, from Olot, take Natural Park Itinerary 3, which takes you to the beech forest in 4 km (1hr 30 min). The forest can also be reached on foot from Santa Pau along a 5 km walk (1h 40 min there and back). There is no entry to the natural reserve for motor vehicles.

The Natural Park of the Volcanic Zone of La Garrotxa gives authorization to access the Fageda with a vehicle with prior accreditation of the degree of disability. Authorizations must be requested in advance by sending an email to [email protected] at least 24 hours in advance.