The plains of Bas, located in the South of the Garrotxa region, was the nucleus of the lands of the viscounts of Bas. with the village of Els Hostalets d'en Bas having buildings dating from the 18th century. The origin of the village is that of a medieval hostel on the old road leading from Vic to Olot.
The principal street of the village, Carrer de la Teixeda, has very characteristic houses consisting og two or three story buildings made from wooden frames and a a pitched roof that overhangs the front balconies, many of which have large floral decorations. The walls are made of rough mountain stone and mortar. Lintels over windows an doors are cut stone and in some cases wood.
Els Hostalets d'en Bas is located to the left of the river Fluvià and surrounded by farmland plains. The river Fluvià baisin extends into the mountains via a series of tributaries fed by spectacular waterfalls hidden within an ancient medieval forest.
This easy-Medium 10km circular route from Els Hostalets d'en Bas follows the river via multiple waterfalls to a couple of mountain top viewpoints and Mina dels Bandolers. I recommend this route in Autumn however it could also be done in summer to include swimming in the pools.
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From the parking area of Els Hostalets d'en Bas, take the main street, Carrer de la Teixeda, to Plaça Major dels Hostalets passing the church of Santa Maria. follow the Carrer de Vic road south into farmland. After the road crosses over Riu Fluvià turn right into a footpath called Camí Ral de Vic a Olot and follow this footpath to a gravel road at Molí Vell farm barn.
Turn right and follow the gravel road over the river via Pont i torrent d'Artigamala. after about 600m the farm track bears round to the right at El Bertrans farm and begins to gradually climb towards to forest passing La Cirera farm where the trail transitions into a footpath. Follow this path through the forest until reaching a small river called Torrent del Puig here you will find a millstone seat and a mountain spring called Font de les Fogoses.
Continue following the footpath up as it crosses the Torrent del Puig several times revealing the rocky and layered river bed. After about 200m the path enters an area called Gorgues de les Fogoses where you will follow the path through a series of waterfalls called Gorg de l'Ansat, Gorg dels Cristiants and Gorg i salt de l'Olla, the largest and most spectacular of the waterfalls.
The path bears to the right of the waterfall and climbs up through the forest reaching a steep section through a rocky ravine with a rope guide to assist. After the ravine continue through the forest a further 300m to a small clearing and valley viewpoint called El Petró. take a left turn at this viewpoint.
Follow the forested path Camí Sota la Tossa de Pujolriu for about a kilometre ascending through the forest to Les Fontiques natural font where it crosses the Torrent de Pujolriu river via a rocky section of path. and 50m further on crosses Torrent i salt de l'Hostalot. this is a mostly dry waterfall with the high rock above where the water falls after heavy rain. the path may be slippery underfoot.
Follow the path through the forest for a kilometre bearing right at a fork in the path to get to the next point of interest called Font de les Marrades, a natural spring with a man made stone walled pool. Take a right turn and ascend the forested path via switchbacks to Masia El Grau farmhouse. About 400m from here is a semi natural rock formation called Cova dels bandolers which is a ravine that has been dug out of the rock. you can walk inside the ravine and onto a viewpoint called Cingle del Grau.
Back track down to Font de les Marrades and continue descending through the forest via Camí Ral Vic-Olot. this is an old monks path and is semi paved with rocks in some sections because it was used as a mule and cart trail. After 1.5 kilometres on this trail you will pass through Collet de la Cirera where you will have views down on the valley below.
another 800m along the descending forested trail you emerge from the forest passing Casa Rural L'Esquirol follow this rural gravel road through the fields back to Molí Vell farm and follow the same route back to Els Hostalets d'en Bas village.
This route is fine and should not present any challenges or difficulties for a dog. However, note that this forest may contain poisonous mushrooms in autumn and it is possible that you may come across poisonous Pine Processionary Caterpillars in spring and summer because the route is mostly in forest.
This is an medium walking route in the Pyrenees foothills. I always do it with a small rucksack of the essentials and first aid kit. Emergency waterproof/windproof jacket is recommended.
Take 2 to 3 litres of water.
Address: Carrer de la Teixeda, Els Hostalets d'en Bas, Girona. 17177
Take the C17 leaving Barcelona towards Vic. Stay on the C17 as it transitions into the C37 heading towards Olot. at the roundabout take the C152 to Sant Esteve d'en Bas and continue on the C152 as it turns off to Els Hostalets d'en Bas. Turn off onto the GIP-5272 to the parking area.
Alternatively, Take the AP7 towards Girona an exit at the Girona airport junction picking up the C25 towards Vic. At Km 225 of the C25 take the C63 to Sant Esteve d'en Bas exiting onto the C-63z then take the C152 to Els Hostalets d'en Bas.
Allow 80 minutes by Car. There is a commuter bus sevice to Olot but the timetables make it unviable as a day trip so Els Hostalets d'en Bas is only really reachable by car.
There is a dedicated free parking area on the edge of the village.
Autumn 10km circular hiking paradise through ancient forests via waterfalls and cliff viewpoints from pituresque medieval village
Distance: 10.43 Km
Difficulty: Meduim
Return Travel Fare: €25.00
Transport Network: CAR
