Planoles: Forests, Trails and Romanesque Heritage

The Ruta de les Mines leads on foot to numerous mining relics in the Planoles valley, bringing this historical and industrial heritage to life.

Nature

In the Obagues del Rigart area, species-rich riverside alder woods alternate with Scots pines and various deciduous forests of ash, birch, lime and large-leaved oak trees. The Volta a l’Avetar route passes through l’Avetar, a mostly municipal fir forest in Planoles. Some of the fir trees there are monumental due to their size and age; at the same time, there is a great diversity of animal and plant species.

The Ruta de l’Isard i les Marmotes is a 5 km circular route starting at Collet de les Barraques and passing through the Pinatar forest. It runs through the Parc Natural de les Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser and the Freser–Setcases National Hunting Reserve. Planoles is one of the municipalities located within the Parc Natural de les Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser; the nature park covers 14,750 hectares.

In the immediate vicinity of Planoles are the peaks of Pla de la Serra, Costa Pubilla, la Covil and l'Emperadora.

Culture

The Itinerari romànic i natura a la Vall del Rigart is a 13 km linear route with an estimated duration of approximately 4 hours and 45 minutes. Some sections are marked with GR and Itinerànnia signs; returning by train is possible. The route connects the valley’s landscape with Romanesque heritage and allows visitors to see up to five Romanesque churches.

The church of Sant Vicenç de Planoles was first mentioned in 1141. Sant Marcel de Planès, also known as Sant Marcel de Planès de Rigard, is a rural Romanesque church in Planès, about 1 km above Planoles. It was built at the end of the 11th or beginning of the 12th century and consecrated by Bishop Oliba between 1018 and 1046. Inside it has a horseshoe-shaped apse, while the exterior apse is semicircular.

La Casa de les Papallones houses a macrolepidoptera collection that was moved to Planoles in 2005 and presents the region’s butterfly diversity in a didactic way. Pedra Dreta is a named archaeological site in the vicinity of Planoles.

The Santuari de Núria is a pilgrimage sanctuary in the vicinity of Planoles. The Museu Municipal De Llívia is a museum in the wider region around Planoles, as is Castell de Montesquiu, a castle.

Routes

The Ruta del Rigart is a 42 km valley route. It can be travelled on foot, by bicycle or on horseback and passes through Campelles, Nevà, Fornells, Dòrria and Planoles. In 2022, the municipality of Planoles created The Trail Zone with six routes to promote mountain sports and provide access to the natural surroundings.

The Ruta dels veïnats de Planoles starts at Plaça del Casino near the church of Sant Vicenç. It leads to the village of Planès and then directly back to Planoles. For planning your own day, the different route types, lengths and return options can be easily compared side by side.

To the overarching travel overview: Girona.