Setcases: Hiking Trails, Nature and Cultural Heritage
Accommodation in Setcases
Setcases combines mountain activities at Vallter 2000, official routes in the nature park and historic sites with diverse natural landscapes. This means trip planning can range from hiking trails and waterfalls to forests, local history and local traditions.
Hiking, Skiing and Routes
Vallter 2000 is a mountain resort in the glacial cirque of Morens–Ull de Ter, within the municipality of Setcases, and offers skiing. Family activities include tubing, chairlift rides and sledding; seasonal programming may change.
Four official routes in the Parc Natural de les Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser pass through the municipality. The park’s official route list also includes the Circ d’Ulldeter loop in Setcases: it is 4.5 kilometres long, involves 345 metres of ascent and has an estimated duration of 1 hour and 25 minutes. Check the latest route information before setting out.
The Natura-Local app offers self-guided nature excursions in Setcases, as well as advice, route information, and natural, cultural and historical descriptions of the trails. The Ruta del Ter can also be travelled on foot or by bicycle along the Ter through five Catalan counties. Its first section starts at the Vallter 2000 car park.
Waterfalls, Pastures and Forests
At the entrance to the Carlat valley, just after leaving Setcases, the Pedreres de la vall de Carlat feature sandstone, marble and slate outcrops. The Salt del Cossi d’en Batlló is in the Carboners valley and is its highest and best-known waterfall. The Riera de Carboners drops more than 1,000 metres in less than five kilometres, forming a series of waterfalls and pools.
The Plans de Carboners are open landscapes of ecological value, maintained through traditional extensive grazing. The Baga de Carboners is an ancient subalpine forest of mountain pine (Pinus uncinata), considered rich in biodiversity. The Bosc de la Baidana on the Muntanya de Sant Miquel forms part of an extensive, well-developed and ancient mountain pine forest.
Cultural History and Local Traditions
The Església de Sant Miquel de Setcases dates from the late 17th century. Its main altar is an outstanding sculptural work of Catalan Baroque art. The Farga de la Llosa is also part of the area’s history: it was an important proto-industry in the 17th and 18th centuries. No building from the forge survives, but iron oxides and slag from the Farga can be found nearby.
According to local legend, a flowering elder tree at La Creueta marked a safe place. Seven houses were built there, giving rise to Setcases. The walk to La Creueta takes about ten minutes, covers just over 300 metres and has an elevation difference of 50 metres. The time estimates for this walk and the Circ d’Ulldeter loop differ considerably: about ten minutes compared with an estimated 1 hour and 25 minutes.
At the Cabanes de la Serra, the landscapes include former cultivated fields and hay meadows; the terrain has an elevation difference of 500 metres. Another historic landmark is the Refugio de Ulldeter: it opened on 25 July 1909 and became Spain’s first mountain refuge.
Discover more destinations: Santa Pau, Pau, Lloret De Mar, Riumors, La Bisbal D'empordĂ , Olot, PalamĂłs, Avinyonet De PuigventĂłs.
For the broader travel overview: Girona.
