Les Preses brings together a range of features for a stay: a volcanic landscape, viewpoints, forest trails and historic buildings. When looking for a hotel, you can consider what matters most to you as you choose where to stay: views across the volcanic zone, botanical information along a trail, or the history of older buildings. The different sites and trails offer various ways to explore these features.
Volcanic Landscapes and Views
The Mirador de Puig Rodó is a viewpoint at an altitude of 905 metres, with views across the entire Zona Volcà nica de la Garrotxa. Parc de Pedra Tosca in Bosc de Tosca is located on a lava flow erupted by the Puig Jordà volcano about 17,000 years ago. Bosc de Tosca was incorporated into the Zona Volcà nica de la Garrotxa Natural Park in 1982, thereby receiving protection. Together, the viewpoint and lava flow offer two different ways to experience the landscape: a panorama across the volcanic zone and a geological perspective on its formation. Bosc de Tosca’s inclusion in the natural park adds a later protected status to this natural history.
Forest Trails with Different Features
The nature experiences vary in length and focus. The botanical trail in Xenacs is 500 metres long and has more than 70 information signs about local plant species. The Can Serra therapeutic forest covers 9.10 hectares; its circular trail is 1,200 metres long. In terms of length, the circular trail is 700 metres longer than the educational trail, while the plant signs give the Xenacs trail a botanical focus.
The Bosc terapèutic singular de can Serra, also known as Bosc de “Salvador Grau”, has a therapeutic forest trail. A walk through the old forest is intended to foster a personal connection with nature. Here, the forest walk is described not only as a trail, but also in terms of its specific purpose.
Getting Your Bearings and Choosing a Trail
The Àrea Recreativa de Xenacs has an information hut, a picnic area, barbecue facilities and signposted trails. Individual facilities may change, so check their current status before your visit.
The Via Verda Ruta del Carrilet is exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists and follows the route of the former narrow-gauge railway between Olot and Girona. The route thus combines a historic course with a clear indication of who may use it. The trails also differ in form: Can Serra has a circular trail, while the Via Verda follows the route of the former railway line between Olot and Girona. Conditions may change on both the Can Serra circular trail and the Via Verda; check the current condition of each route before planning your trip.
Historic Points of Interest
The Torre de MurriĂ was an ancient Roman watchtower and was converted into an optical telegraph tower during the Carlist Wars. This conversion marks the change from a watchtower to an optical telegraph station. The earliest references to the church of Sant Pere in Les Preses date from 922. At the Torre, you can explore a change in function, while at Sant Pere, the early date provides the historical point of reference.
Discover more destinations: Cabanes, La Selva de Mar, Tortellá, Terrades, Brunyola, Sant Joan De Les Abadesses, Campdevà nol, Garrigoles
For the broader travel overview: Girona.
