In Molló, Pyrenean landscapes, hiking trails and Romanesque architecture come together. The municipality includes part of the Parc Natural de les Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser. At 2,465 metres, Costabona is the highest point in the municipality; it is also part of the nature park. Molló therefore offers ways to plan a stay in which nature and culture play an equally important role.
Landscapes and hiking trails
The Gran Volta al Costabona is a 31-kilometre trek designed to take two days. Along the way, riparian woodland, valley floors, beech and pine forests, alpine meadows and river stretches alternate. The route thus connects different landscapes on a multi-day hike. The source of the Ritort, also known as Deus d'en Sitjar, lies in the foothills of Costabona.
The Camí de la Retirada takes a different amount of time: this moderately difficult, 14-kilometre route runs from Plaça del Conflent in Molló to Prats de Molló. The one-way journey is listed as taking four hours. In 2026, a warning was issued about fallen trees on the French section; check conditions before crossing the border.
For a comparison of time commitments: the Gran Volta is designed to take two days, while the Camí de la Retirada takes four hours one way. Within the municipality, Molló Parc offers a nature trail lasting two to three hours across ten hectares. No advance reservation is required for a visit; check this policy before your visit.
The route from Molló to Santa Magdalena offers another distinctive combination of landscapes: it passes through pastures and potato fields. At Santa Magdalena, panoramic views open up over the high Pyrenees and the mid-mountain forests of Alta Garrotxa. Another option is the Molló–Espinavell–Fabert–Molló circular route, which starts and ends in Molló and passes through varied landscapes.
Romanesque buildings and history
Santa Cecília de Molló has been recognised as a Bé Cultural d’Interès Nacional since 1979 and is considered an outstanding example of Romanesque architecture in the Catalan Pyrenees. Its features include Lombard-Romanesque arcaded friezes, blind arcades and a sawtooth frieze. The bell tower has five storeys. A small church dedicated to Saint Cecilia probably already existed in Molló around 936.
The Capella de Sant Sebastià tells a different story: it was built in the 18th century in gratitude to Saint Sebastian, who was credited with freeing the municipality from the plagues ravaging Europe. In the hamlet of Riberal, the Romanesque Pont del Molí de Can Fumat crosses the Ritort River.
Since the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659, Coll d’Ares has been a border crossing. On 23 June, the Flama del Canigó is distributed from there throughout Catalonia. In Espinavell, the Mare de Déu de les Neus church, built in the 17th century, is a defining feature of the area of Molló.
Festivals and local traditions
The Tria de Mulats d'Espinavell is a traditional livestock festival held every year in Espinavell on 13 October. More than 300 horses and other equines that spend the summer in Rojà are brought together for the event. If the festival is a focus of your trip, check the event dates in advance.
The 2026 programme for the Fira de la Trumfa lists tastings of various potato dishes in Plaça Major in Molló. The specific offerings may change; check the dates and programme before your trip. This makes it possible to choose hikes, buildings and local events according to your interests and available time.
Discover more destinations: Can Jordi, Navata, Sant Mori, Serinyà, Anglès, Vilamacolum, Bellcaire D'empordà, Camós.
For the broader travel overview: Girona.
