Wooded hills, a large volcanic crater and paths along the Ter define Bescanó and the surrounding landscapes. Together with Estanyol, Montfullà and Vilanna, the town shares a Mediterranean landscape. This offers different focuses for planning your trip: you can explore nature and geology or take time to discover architectural history and cultural attractions.

Crater landscapes and riverside paths

The Volcà de la Crosa lies between Sant Dalmai in Vilobí d’Onyar and Estanyol in Bescanó. Its crater is 1,250 metres in diameter and is one of the largest in Europe. Around it, Mediterranean forests, meadows, grassland and cultivated land alternate; this diverse habitat is home to a variety of fauna.

A 5 km circular trail leads from the Guilloteres car park around the Volcà de la Crosa. The route takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and passes five geological points of interest. The approximate duration helps you fit this outing into your daily itinerary. The trail combines exercise with insights into the crater’s geology, while the different habitats provide the scenic setting.

The Ter offers a different perspective. The riverside route between Bescanó and Sant Gregori stretches for 10.3 kilometres and lies within the «Riberes del Baix Ter» Natura 2000 site. Public paths along the river pass through riparian forests and reveal cultural and historical features linked to water use, including irrigation channels and weirs. They can be explored on foot, by bike or on horseback. Along the Ter, the focus is therefore not only on the landscape but also on traces of how the water was used.

The two nature-focused options involve different planning considerations: the Volcà de la Crosa is described as a circular walk with an approximate duration and geological stops, while the distance is given for the riverside route along the Ter. When planning your days, you can take these details into account for each outing without treating the routes as one continuous tour.

Architectural history and culture in Bescanó

The parish church of Sant Andreu also tells a story of change over the centuries. The earthquakes of 1427 destroyed the church; it was renovated between 1702 and 1708. One of its distinctive architectural features is a four-sided comunidor roof, aligned with the cardinal directions. Traditionally, the comunidor was used to ward off bad weather and the plague-bearing foul air. Its form and traditional function link architectural history with an earlier understanding of how the community could be protected from harm.

The partly ruined Sant Llop overlooks the plain of La Selva, with views stretching from Girona to Hostalric. Its construction may date back to the 9th or 10th century, although written documentation only exists from the 13th century onward. These tentative dating and later written records are two distinct points of reference in time.

Montfullà is home to a Roman villa dating from between the 1st century BC and the 3rd century AD. The modernist Bescanó power station offers a very different sight: it features sculptures of monsters, reptiles and dinosaurs. These attractions add Roman history and striking modern design to the area’s medieval and ecclesiastical architectural heritage.

The Teatre de Bescanó also contributes to cultural life with a year-round programme of plays and performances featuring well-known names from the Catalan performing arts scene. Specific programme details may change, so check the dates if you are planning a visit. Bescanó also hosts the Fira de l’embotit, a local sausage festival. If you want to include the event in your trip, check the dates in advance.

When planning your stay, you can first decide which focus matters most to you: the crater and its circular trail, the riverside landscape and its paths, or a mix of architectural history and culture. The differences between these themes can help you allocate your available days according to your interests.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Montfullà, Estanyol, Sant Ferriol, Santa Llogaia del Terri, El Prat de Llobregat, Girona, Vilanant, Canet D'adri.

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