Croscat, Extinct volcano in Santa Pau, Spain.
Croscat is an extinct volcano shaped like a horseshoe that rises approximately 789 meters (2,589 feet) above sea level. The crater measures roughly 600 meters (1,969 feet) in length and 350 meters (1,148 feet) across, with steep inner walls that clearly show its volcanic origin.
The volcano erupted first around 17,000 years ago, followed by a second eruption approximately 11,500 years later. These two volcanic events shaped the landscape of the La Garrotxa region as it exists today.
The name Croscat comes from local Catalan and refers to the crater's distinctive shape. Today, visitors come here to study the geological layers and experience how volcanic activity shaped the land around them.
Visitors should arrive by car and park at designated spots such as Can Serra. Prior booking is required for guided group tours, which typically starts at the Can Passavent House entrance.
Past mining work left a striking cut on the back side of the crater that exposes the volcano's inner structure. Dark lava layers alternate with bands of rust-colored oxidized rock, creating a natural cross-section through the volcanic material.
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