Estanyol: Volcanic Landscape, Nature and History

If you are considering Estanyol as a travel destination, the volcanic landscape around Volcà de la Crosa and the local history surrounding Església de Sant Andreu d’Estanyol offer two specific starting points for planning your trip. Municipal routes cover nature and culture, helping you identify different focuses for your stay.

Volcanic landscape and habitats

Volcà de la Crosa is in the province of Girona, between Sant Dalmai (Vilobí d’Onyar) and Estanyol (Bescanó). Its large crater is 1,250 metres in diameter. This measurement conveys the scale of the crater and brings the area’s geological character to life.

Volcà de la Crosa includes Mediterranean woodland, meadows, grassland and agricultural land. This mosaic of different habitats supports a diverse range of wildlife. At least 14 species found there are classified as protected under Decree 172/2022 of 20 September 2022. The landscape, habitats and species protection are therefore closely interconnected themes here.

Explore the Volta al Volcà on foot

The official “Volta al Volcà de la Crosa” route is a 5-kilometre circular trail that takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The route includes five geological points of interest. This gives you both a specific time frame and a clear thematic focus for planning.

Information panels along the route explain the volcano’s history and natural features. Along the way, you will encounter not only geological points of interest but also information about the area’s nature and history. Municipal route information may be updated, so check the latest description before setting out.

Architectural history in Estanyol and Bescanó

The present-day Església de Sant Andreu d’Estanyol was built between 1702 and 1708 in the Baroque style, based on plans by master builder Agustí Soriano. It also preserves the 15th-century bell tower from the earlier church. The building thus brings together two historical periods: the early 18th-century Baroque church and a surviving part of the older building. For travellers interested in culture, it offers a specific insight into the town’s architectural history.

Mas Sitjar is also listed on a municipal route: it is one of the named stops on the “Ruta d’Estanyol” in Bescanó. Access to individual places may vary. If you would like to visit Mas Sitjar specifically, check access arrangements in advance.

Another perspective on the regional landscape

The “La capçalera de l’Onyar” route focuses on the source area of the Onyar River. It runs along the border between Gironès and La Selva. The focus here is therefore a river source area and its regional border location, while the “Volta al Volcà de la Crosa” covers geological points around the volcano. These different themes help you understand the natural and cultural landscape through the specific content of each route.

Discover more destinations: Montfullà.

Go to the main travel overview: Bescanó.