The Croscat volcano, the youngest of the Garrotxa

Despite being currently considered one of the youngest in the Garrotxa volcanic area, the Croscat volcano has a lot of history to be explained.

For us it is only fair to start talking about the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park with one of the key pieces of this natural space: the Croscat Volcano. Vol de Coloms, we find ourselves at his feet. Our facilities are located on one of the lateral parts of its crater and it is one of the first views that the passenger encounters when taking off with one of our balloons.

El Croscat is therefore located between the municipalities of Olot and Santa Pau and is one of the best known in La Garrotxa. Not to disparage the other volcanoes, but its cone is the largest in the Iberian Peninsula. It is of the Strombolian type, horseshoe-shaped and is the second youngest of all.

Its main peculiarity is its cray. The volcano was the victim of mining for about 25 years until 1982, and after several social mobilizations, the creation of the natural park was approved in order to stop them and protect the volcanic area. It was restored in 1995 and won a FAD decorative arts design award. Today it continues to be one of the most visited parts of our region. At this point we can see what a volcano looks like inside. The cut caused by the extractions is clearly visible and shows us the original colors, which are the darkest, and subsequently take on reddish and orange hues due to oxidation reactions. At the top of the volcano there are still the remains of a communications tower from the last century.

From land, there are several itineraries that hikers can take to reach this area, accessible to everyone. From the air, the best way to observe this jewel of the park is by flying in a hot air balloon. Vol de Coloms presents it directly to you.

You know, then:

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE GARROTXA VOLCANIC AREA PARK!

Book your balloon flight here!

Book a hot air balloon flight and Espai Crater visit here!

More information about the volcanic area here!