In the Volcanic Zone Natural Park of La Garrotxa, Catalonia, the Croscat Volcano stands as a unique geological monument. Unlike other volcanoes in the region with more or less defined craters, Croscat presents a vertical cut, the result of the exploitation of volcanic ash on its flank during the 20th century. This geological scar, far from being a wound, reveals the internal structure of the volcano, offering a fascinating view of its layers of pyroclastic materials and solidified lava flows. Walking the trails that wind through this fossilized lava is an experience that connects with the vibrant telluric history of the area, and visiting it outside peak hours allows one to immerse themselves in an ancient and solitary atmosphere.
The Croscat Volcano is the youngest volcano on the Iberian Peninsula, with its last eruption estimated to have occurred about 11,000 years ago. Its peculiar current morphology is a consequence of the aforementioned exploitation of volcanic ash, which exposed a geological profile of great scientific and scenic interest. The walls of the vertical cut exhibit strata of lapilli, volcanic ash, and volcanic bombs, a testament to the violent eruptions that gave rise to this volcanic cone. Walking along the trails that run along its base and gently ascend its slopes allows one to closely observe these formations, almost like reading an open book about past volcanic activity.
The network of trails surrounding and crossing the Croscat Volcano offers diverse perspectives of its unique open crater and the surrounding volcanic landscape. One of the most popular routes is the one that allows you to ascend to the summit of the neighboring volcano, the Santa Margarida Volcano, whose crater houses a Romanesque hermitage inside, offering an exceptional panoramic view of Croscat as a whole. However, the trails that delve into the fossilized lava flows of Croscat have a particular charm. Walking on this solidified volcanic rock, often covered with moss and lichens, evokes the primal force of nature and the slowness of geological processes.
The “vibration” of the Croscat Volcano is palpable for those who take the time to observe it and walk it calmly. The sensation of being in a place shaped by ancient telluric forces is intense. The silence, especially outside the peak hours of visitors, allows one to connect with the stillness of the landscape and feel the latent energy of the earth. The solitude experienced when walking these trails, surrounded by unique volcanic forms, transports one to a deep geological time, where nature was the sole protagonist.
To avoid the crowds and fully enjoy this telluric, ancient, and solitary atmosphere, it is advisable to visit the Croscat Volcano early in the morning or late in the afternoon, especially during weekends and peak season months. During these hours, the raking sunlight enhances the textures and colors of the fossilized lava and the crater walls, creating an even more evocative visual experience. The tranquility of the environment allows for introspection and a deeper connection with the geological history of the place.
The Croscat Volcano, with its vertical open crater and its trails through fossilized lava, is much more than just a geological point of interest in La Garrotxa. It is a place that vibrates with the energy of the earth, that whispers stories of past eruptions, and that offers, to those who visit it with sensitivity, a solitary and ancestral experience in a volcanic landscape unique to the Iberian Peninsula.
