In the Obagues del Rigart area, species-rich riverside alder woods alternate with Scots pine and deciduous forests. Ash, birch, lime and large-leaved oak trees shape this varied woodland landscape. Fir forests, nature trails and traces of mining are also among the diverse discoveries that make Planoles distinctive.

Forests and protected area

The Volta a l’Avetar route passes through l’Avetar, a mainly municipal fir forest in Planoles. Some of the firs are considered monumental because of their size and age; the forest is also home to a great variety of animal and plant species. For nature enthusiasts, this offers a different focus from the forests in the Obagues del Rigart area: here, fir trees and species diversity take centre stage.

Planoles is one of the municipalities in the Parc Natural de les Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser, which covers 14,750 hectares. The Ruta de l’Isard i les Marmotes also runs through this natural park. This 5 km circular route starts at Collet de les Barraques, passes through the Pinatar forest and lies within both the natural park and the Freser–Setcases National Hunting Reserve. Its length, circular layout and starting point give this excursion a distinct character.

Routes by length and mode of travel

The Itinerari romànic i natura a la Vall del Rigart is a 13 km linear route with an estimated duration of around 4 hours and 45 minutes. Some sections are marked with GR and Itinerànnia waymarks; it is possible to return by train. If you plan to do this, check the timetable for your travel date. By comparison, the Ruta de l’Isard i les Marmotes is described as a 5 km circular route. The Ruta del Rigart, in turn, is a 42 km valley route that can be travelled on foot, by bicycle or on horseback.

The Ruta del Rigart passes through Campelles, Nevà, Fornells, Dòrria and Planoles. Its stated modes of travel set it apart from routes specifically intended for walking. These include the Ruta de les Mines, which takes you past numerous mining relics in the Planoles valley and offers a way to experience its historical and industrial heritage. In 2022, the municipality also created The Trail Zone, with six routes to promote mountain sports and provide access to the natural surroundings.

The Ruta dels veïnats de Planoles offers another point of reference: it starts at Plaça del Casino, near the church of Sant Vicenç. The route goes to the village of Planès and then heads straight back to Planoles. Its course thus differs from the descriptions of the linear valley route and the circular route.

Churches, mining and butterflies

The Itinerari romànic i natura a la Vall del Rigart combines the valley landscape with Romanesque heritage and offers the chance to visit up to five Romanesque churches. Sant Vicenç de Planoles was first mentioned in 1141. The church of Sant Marcel de Planès, also known as Sant Marcel de Planès de Rigard, is in Planès, about 1 km above Planoles. Its apse is horseshoe-shaped on the inside and semicircular on the outside; Bishop Oliba consecrated the church between 1018 and 1046.

La Casa de les Papallones adds another distinctive feature: it houses a macrolepidoptera collection that was moved to Planoles in 2005. The collection presents the region’s butterfly diversity in an educational way. Together with the forest areas and industrial heritage, it broadens the picture of Planoles beyond its routes.

Discover more destinations: Sant Julià De Ramis, Cantallops, Sant Martí Del Clot, Meranges, Fortià, Amer, Sant Llorenç De La Muga, Vilafant

For the main travel overview: Girona.