Riudaura lies in a valley through which the Riera de Riudaura flows. The village brings together this landscape, a long monastic history, medieval traces in its centre and trails leading from Riudaura into the surrounding hills. If you are planning a stay here, its history and hiking trails offer different ways to experience the place: one takes you through its streets and traditions, the other out to named destinations in the surrounding area.

Riverside Setting and Medieval Centre

The Riera de Riudaura runs right through the village. Plaça del Gambeto lies in the medieval centre. Carrer de la Terrica preserves the medieval layout of a village street in the Garrotxa region. Its steep gradient earned it the nickname “Rompeculs” — a vivid name for this street’s distinctive slope.

The monastery of Santa Maria de Riudaura also shapes the village’s history: it was founded in 852. The oldest surviving part of the monastic complex is the Torre Rodona. Another historic landmark is the Santuari de Sant Joan de la Font, which has Romanesque origins. In the village centre and at these named buildings, you can encounter different chapters of local history, which are not limited to a single building.

Pentecost and Christmas Traditions

Plaça del Gambeto is not only part of the medieval centre but also the setting for the Ball del Gambeto. This dance has been performed there continuously at Pentecost since the Middle Ages. The square thus connects a specific place in the village with a tradition dating back a long way.

Another longstanding tradition is the Missa dels Pastors on Christmas Eve, during which lambs are worshipped before the Christ Child. A gathering is also held at the Santuari de Sant Joan de la Font in June. These occasions mark different points in the year: the Ball del Gambeto takes place at Pentecost, the Missa dels Pastors on Christmas Eve and the gathering at the sanctuary in June.

Two Trails with Different Destinations

The old mule track from Vallfogona to Riudaura passes through the hamlet of Artigues and climbs to Coll de Canes. The Boscos de Riudaura hiking route, by contrast, starts in the village and climbs to Collada del Macià in the surrounding hills. The trails therefore differ from the outset: the mule track connects Vallfogona and Riudaura via Artigues, while Boscos de Riudaura heads uphill from Riudaura.

The Boscos de Riudaura route offers views of the volcanic zone, Alta Garrotxa and Puigsacalm. It also includes a visit to Gorg Gran on the Riera de Riudaura. The route thus combines named landscape viewpoints with a destination by the river. Knowing the specific starting and ending points helps distinguish the two trails rather than treating them as interchangeable circular walks.

Centre Cívic and History in the Surrounding Area

The Centre Cívic de Riudaura is a low-rise multipurpose building with a paved forecourt, a rear square and a play area. Following renovation, it reopened on 20 December 2025, with improvements to safety, energy efficiency and accessibility. The Els camins dels carlins. Ruta 6 Garrotxa trail passes below the Centre Cívic and ends at Plaça Tiradors.

A separate historical connection lies in the area around Riudaura: at Hostal de la Corda in La Pinya, generals Arsenio Martínez Campos and Francesc Savalls met secretly on 26 March 1875 during the Third Carlist War. The meeting effectively contributed to the end of Carlist resistance in Catalonia. This site should be distinguished from the places mentioned in Riudaura; it adds an event from the nearby area to the village’s history.

Discover more destinations: Siurana, Queralbs, Castelló D’empúries, Rabós, Santa Cristina De Aro, Llanca, Sant Gregori, Can Jordi.

For the broader travel overview: Girona.