Gravel tour from Olot through the Garrotxa natural park

The nerve center of the Garrotxa, Olot is an excellent starting point for the first ring on Spanish roads. Head along the river in a north-west direction, towards Hostalnou de Bianya, where a first glimpse of woods and dirt roads will give you an idea of what awaits you. Once you have crossed the asphalt provincial road, take a fast serpentine that recalls the valleys of the Flemish hills to reach Sant Joan les Fonts. Here the church of San Giovanni Battista, a waterfall, a Roman bridge and a panoramic point over some ancient lava flows will delight you.

Continue on country roads along the Fluvià river to reach a truly surprising destination, Castellfollit de la Roca. Located on a hill of basalt rock, Castellfollit is part of the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Nature Reserve, which with over 40 volcanic cones that have been extinct for centuries is considered the most significant volcanic area of the Iberian peninsula. If up to now the road has always or almost always been slightly downhill, at the exit of Besalù a climb on a mixed concrete and asphalt surface allows you to enter a path that is as lost in the woods as it is magnificent.

It is a very long track, full of ups and downs and dust: a true paradise for those who love gravel. Don't let yourself be found without water here, because you will only come across one fountain near the town of El Torn. Go up the Ser river to Santa Pau, where you can take a break before entering the actual volcano area. Just beyond the very black volcano of Rocanegra, tie your bike to some trees (it is forbidden to cycle up there) and walk up to the cone of the Santa Margherita volcano: it is not a long walk and allows you to observe the spectacular little church built inside of the extinguished cone. You can do the same thing, parking your bike at the park ranger's house, for the Croscat volcano: one of its slopes has been excavated, so you will have the impression of seeing inside the belly of the volcano itself. An incredible show.

Subsequently, a silent beech forest takes you back towards Olot in the best possible way. The first day in Garrotxa could not have been more exciting.