La Garrotxa has two distinct types of plant landscape: the Mediterranean, characterized by the presence of holm, and the Atlantic Central European, with oak and beech trees of various species. Regarding the flora, only in La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park has there are more than 1,170 species of higher plants and several rare plants in Catalan flora.
This diversity of environments present in La Garrotxa coexists with a very diverse fauna and contains species of great interest, especially invertebrates. In La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park know there are nearly 300 different species of vertebrates, 52 of which are mammals, 198 birds, 13 amphibians, 18 reptiles and 11 fish. As for invertebrates, there are more than 164 registered non-arthropod invertebrate species, 20 arthropods and insects not more than 1,000 insects.
Flora and fauna
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- Flora and fauna
Routes and excursions TOP
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Climb to Mare de Déu del Mont from Beuda. Route 2 Beuda
Walking route to Virgen del Monte, the church of late Romanesque style Sanctuary, dated from the beginning of 20th century.
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The core area of the Natural Park
This route explores the village of Santa Pau, blessed with a rich heritage – part of which is included on other routes – that stretches back to medieval times and the Remences peasant’s revolt and up to the 19th century Carline Wars.
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Coll de Bas - Marboleny -Castell de Colltort - Fontpobra. Natural Park route 26
The route will take us along the watershed between the river basins Fluvià and Brugent, tributaries of the river Ter, and will take us to one of the great viewpoints of the Natural Park: the castle of Colltort.
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The Lava Flows
The volcanoes that erupted thousands of years ago in what today is La Garrotxa region gave rise to great lava flows that occupied the bottoms of the local river valleys.
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GR 83 - Camí del Nord o del Canigó
This route provides links Mataró and Prada de Conflent and the peak of El Canigó. It runs through attractive landscapes in El Montseny, Les Guilleries and La Garrotxa, and includes sections involving considerable climbs once it reaches the Pyrenees.
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Saint James's way
The St James’ Way runs through the county of La Garrotxa and visits en route a number of interesting sites.
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Sant Feliu - coll d'Úria - La Salut. Natural Park route 28
Itinerary for the Health Shadow, with a significant drop, but with a reward in the form of panoramic views over the Brugent river valley and much of the Natural Park.
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La Moixina route. Route 6 Olot
Signposted route for the race of the Moixina race throughout the year.
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Torre de Murrià route. Route 5 Les Preses
Torre de Murrià is a Roman watchtower that was converted into a signalling tower during the Carline Wars. It is reasonably well conserved and its moat and walls can still be seen.
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In the footsteps of the Barons of Santa Pau. Ruta 1 Santa Pau
This walk takes you up to the magnificent summit of Finestres, one of the best viewpoints in La Garrotxa. Of great interest are the highly varied landscapes.
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La Devesa and Caxurma caves. Route 1 Montagut i Oix
Baumes de Caxurma are a series of natural caves formed in the sedimentary rocks that lie to the south of the basalt cliffs of Castellfollit de la Roca. The largest cave is around 400 m in length.
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Santa Margarida bathing pool. Route 5 Les Planes d'Hostoles
Les Planes d’Hostoles is well known for its natural bathing pools that have been used in numerous films and adverts. This is one of four suggestions.