Montsacopa volcano, Extinct volcano in Olot, Spain
Montsacopa is an extinct volcano in the Garrotxa Natural Park near Olot, with a rounded crater shape and steep slopes on all sides. The summit hosts a small hermitage and offers views across the volcanic landscape of the surrounding region.
The volcano formed millions of years ago and has been inactive ever since. In 1812, French forces stationed troops at the summit hermitage and built two defense towers that still stand today.
The hermitage of Sant Francesc sits at the summit as a place where people have sought spiritual connection within the natural landscape. Its presence shows how locals integrated faith into the volcano's geology over many generations.
The walk starts from Plaça Clarà in Olot using a well-marked trail that takes roughly two hours and remains fairly gradual. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes, as the path can be muddy after rain.
The southwestern slope contains old quarries where local workers extracted greda clay and stone materials for Olot's buildings until the 1960s. These abandoned pits are now quiet reminders of how the volcano helped shape the town's construction.
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