Castellfollit was built on multiple layers of basalt columns resulting from different volcanic eruptions at different points in geological time. Normally the basalt column formation itself would be fascinating enough. Here, there is a whole village perched on top! We followed the Park's Trail 13 circumnavigated the place, up, down, and around.
Then we headed out of town on the main road for a couple of kilometers to the next town, Sant Joan les Fonts. Here, they were having their flower festival. We followed the Park's Trail 16 along the river going west, passing by or on top of more lava flows. We had to cross the river twice, one was so long, it was easily worth 5-10 normal stream crossings. At one spot, the spacing was wider than my jump-stride, John had to pull me across. I was tempted to turn around.
After San Joan, we followed GR 83 towards Olot, going by Garrinada Volcano, to the Montsacopa Volcano. The top is a fantastic view of the town. Since we were in the middle of a heat wave with record high temperatures, I was pooped, but excited to have completed the excursion. See GPS track(s) of our 18.8 km route below.
The Olot Bus Station was 10 minutes from our apartment. New and modern. In general the bus transport in Spain is very good even though there is NO competition between companies for routes.
We rode the bus about 20 minutes to Castellfollit de la Roca, getting off at the top of the town that is perched on top of a mass of basalt columns which you can't see until you walk down to the river.
The trail crosses the river - great views - and cirlcles back up to town.
Passing a water channel/canal with a memorable "Stick Figure in Peril" sign.
John was excited to see this road sign pointing to Andorra, just 140 kms to the northwest. But, sigh, Andorra will have to wait until another trip.
It's a nice walk from Castellfollit to Sant Joan les Fonts, a short section on the road shoulder and then a walk on a greenway passing several fruit companies.
Sant Joan surprised us with a Flower Festival with floral displays, young rockers belting out a fine cover of "American Woman", and a string quintet by the river.
The medieval bridge, built with volcanic stone, crosses the river Fluvià (from Wikipedia).
The best place in town to view the triple layers of lava is near the old factories.
I'm standing on top of a dry riverbed of basalt column tops.
Pick your route.
Our route back to Olot from Sant Joan.
Mirador.
At this old quarry one can see 3 distinct lava flows. The difference in the shapes of the rocks is due to the relative speed at which the lava cooled; the basalt columns at the bottom cooled the slowest. Not only is it instructive, it's beautiful.
The trail west along the Fluvia to Cingles (Cliffs) de Fontfreda was lush, hot but not humid.
And more basalt columns at the Cliffs of Fontfreda. Wow!
A couple of long stream crossings later (below, the shortest one), we walked up out of the river valley and headed south to Olot.
After trudging up the backside of Volcà del Montsacopa to Església de Sant Francesc, we were rewarded with a pretty good view down to Olot.
No comments:
Post a Comment