A scenic route through medieval villages, mountains, and volcanic landscapes
If you are staying at El Serradal or Mas Guanter and want to take a day trip by car, this route through the Ripollès and Alta Garrotxa regions is one of the most comprehensive options. It combines cultural heritage, charming villages, mountain roads, and natural viewpoints with one of the most spectacular sights in La Garrotxa: Castellfollit de la Roca perched atop a basalt cliff.
The route passes through Sant Joan de les Abadesses, Camprodon, Rocabruna, Beget, Oix, and Castellfollit de la Roca. It is ideal for families, couples, or groups of friends, especially if you enjoy a leisurely drive with stops along the way.
Starting point: El Serradal and Mas Guanter
The best thing about this route is that you can start it right from the country house. As soon as you leave El Serradal or Mas Guanter, you will find yourself surrounded by mountain scenery, fields, forests, and quiet roads.
You can complete the route in one long day, but you can also adjust it to your own pace. If you are traveling with children or prefer a more relaxed outing, you can simply do the stretch to Beget and save Castellfollit de la Roca for another day.
First stop: Sant Joan de les Abadesses
The first recommended stop is Sant Joan de les Abadesses, one of the towns with the richest history in the Ripollès region. Its monastery, the old bridge, and the historic center are worth a leisurely visit before heading to the Camprodon Valley.
You can also take the opportunity to stroll along the Ter River or have a coffee in the town center. It is a quick, convenient, and fascinating stop for understanding the medieval character of the area.
What to see in Sant Joan de les Abadesses:
Monastery of Sant Joan de les Abadesses
Llaudet Colony
Walk along the Ter River
Old Bridge
Historic center
Camprodon: mountain atmosphere and local shops
From Sant Joan de les Abadesses, the road continues to Camprodon, a lively, elegant town with strong ties to mountain tourism. The New Bridge, shopping streets, food shops, and Pyrenean atmosphere make it a perfect stop before continuing on to Beget.
Camprodon is also a great place to buy local products or enjoy a meal. If you wish to take the route at a leisurely pace, you can spend some time strolling through the town center before heading on to Rocabruna.
Rocabruna: silence, landscape, and mountains
Before reaching Beget, it is worth stopping at Rocabruna. It is a small, quiet village nestled in the mountains, offering a very different atmosphere from Camprodon. Here, the landscape becomes more secluded and rural, featuring open vistas and narrow roads that hint at the approach to the Alta Garrotxa region.
It makes for a brief but highly recommended stop to take photos, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the contrast between the valley, the forest, and the stone architecture.
Beget: one of the most beautiful villages in Catalonia
Beget is one of the route’s true gems. This small village within the municipality of Camprodon preserves cobblestone alleys, stone houses, medieval bridges, and the Romanesque church of San Cristóbal, one of its most outstanding heritage landmarks.
Though small, the village invites leisurely strolling. Every corner holds charm, and the natural setting is ideal for those seeking a peaceful, photogenic getaway with authentic rural character.
What to do in Beget:
Strolling through the cobblestone streets
Visit the Church of San Cristóbal
Crossing the medieval bridges
Take photos of the village and the landscape
Enjoy a leisurely meal in a rural setting
Beget is a must-visit stop on any driving route through the Ripollès and Alta Garrotxa regions.
Montagut and Oix: Gateway to the Untamed Landscape of Alta Garrotxa
From Beget, the route continues towards Oix and Montagut, a mountainous area with a more rugged and wild landscape. It is an ideal stretch for lovers of backroads, forests, and small villages.
Oix conserva un ambiente rural muy marcado y es una buena parada para estirar las piernas o hacer una pausa antes de llegar a Castellfollit de la Roca. Este tramo de ruta es especialmente bonito si os gustan los paisajes poco masificados y las carreteras con carácter.
Castellfollit de la Roca: the town on the basaltic Cinglera
The route ends at Castellfollit de la Roca, one of the most photogenic villages in the Garrotxa region. The historic center stands atop a spectacular basalt cliff, formed by ancient lava flows and shaped over time by the elements and the rivers.
The sight of the village perched on the rock is one of the area’s most iconic images. It is well worth visiting the viewpoint, strolling through the old town, and admiring the cliff from various vantage points.
What to see in Castellfollit de la Roca:
Basalt cliff
Historic core
Village viewpoints
Old church and surroundings of the cliff
Local products and local retail
It is a perfect stop to wrap up the route before heading back to the Ripollès area.
A tour of the Bac Valley and Sant Pau de Segúries
To return to El Serradal or Mas Guanter, you can take the route through the Bac Valley and Sant Pau de Segúries. It is a very pleasant drive, featuring mountain roads, peaceful scenery, and a real sense of getting away from it all.
Este tramo es ideal para acabar el día sin prisas, disfrutando del paisaje y volviendo a la casa rural con la sensación de haber descubierto una parte muy especial de la Cataluña interior.
Why take this route from El Serradal or Mas Guanter?
This route is perfect for guests of El Serradal and Mas Guanter, as it combines manageable distances, charming villages, and diverse landscapes into a single day trip. You can set out in the morning, make stops at your own pace, and return at sunset to peaceful rural accommodation, a place to relax, cook, share a meal, or simply soak up the mountain atmosphere. It is an ideal option for weekend getaways, summer holidays, long autumn weekends, or family stays in the Ripollès region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the route be done in a single day?
Yes. The route can be done in one long day, especially if you set out in the morning and make brief stops. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, you can split it into two trips.
Does Beget belong to Ripollès or Garrotxa?
Beget is a settlement within the municipality of Camprodon, in the Ripollès region, although in terms of landscape it is closely linked to the Alta Garrotxa.
Is the route suitable for children?
Yes, but keep in mind that there are winding stretches of mountain road. It is advisable to make frequent stops and adjust the pace to the group.
What is the best time of year to do this route?
Spring, summer, and autumn are excellent times of year. Summer is ideal for combining visits to towns with nature, while in autumn, the landscape takes on spectacular colors.
Book a rural getaway and discover Ripollès at your own pace
El Serradal and Mas Guanter are an ideal base for exploring the Ripollès, the Camprodon Valley, and the Alta Garrotxa. Check availability and plan a driving route filled with medieval villages, mountains, and unique landscapes.
