Montsacopa: An audio tour in the Volcano in the Centre of the City

Volcanoes do not get more central than this. The Montsacopa audio tour takes you around an extinct volcanic crater in the middle of Olot, with 360-degree views, volcanic rocks, and a church sitting inside the crater. I like the freedom of a self-guided walk and the useful historical stories about La Garrotxa’s 40 volcanoes and more than 20 lava flows. The main drawback is that the volcano itself is a fairly simple open space, so the $5.40 cost makes the audio commentary important to the experience.

I also like the short length. You can finish the walk in about an hour, yet still reach two watchtowers and look toward the Pyrenees and Olot’s green valleys. Expect a modest climb of just over 100 steps, some uneven or uphill walking, and no included transport, food, drinks, phone, or headphones.

Key points to know before you go

• A volcano in central Olot: Montsacopa sits within the Catalan city of Olot, in La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone National Park.
• A crater with a church: The route circles the crater and reaches the church located inside it, an unusual sight that gives the walk much of its character.
• Two watchtowers and broad views: The climb rewards you with views across Olot, the surrounding valleys, and toward the Pyrenees.
• Audio works offline: The VoiceMap app provides the audio, map, and geodata without needing a live connection once downloaded.
• A flexible one-hour outing: You can begin during the stated daily opening period rather than joining a fixed departure.
• Moderate exercise: The route includes a climb of a little more than 100 steps, so it suits people with a moderate level of fitness.

A volcano at the center of Olot

Montsacopa offers a rare city break from the usual city sights. You do not need to travel far into the countryside to reach a volcanic site. The starting point is Volcà del Montsacopa, 17800 Olot, in Girona province.

That setting gives the walk its appeal. You can spend part of your day among streets, shops, and ordinary city life, then reach an open volcanic crater with views across the region. The contrast is the point. This is not a long wilderness outing. It is a compact geological and historical walk that fits neatly into an afternoon.

The wider La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone contains about 40 volcanoes and more than 20 lava flows. The audio route uses Montsacopa to explain why volcanic activity shaped this part of Catalonia. You learn about the last eruption here, said to have taken place around 100,000 years ago, and how that distant event still affects the land around Olot.

I find that context especially useful because the crater itself may not look dramatic at first glance. Today, much of it is open meadow rather than steaming rock or a jagged volcanic cone. Without the audio, you might simply see a grassy hill with a good view. With the commentary, the ordinary-looking ground becomes evidence of a much older event.

The climb to the crater rim

The physical effort is modest, but you should not treat this as a completely flat stroll. Information from the walk describes a climb of just over 100 steps. You also need a moderate level of physical fitness.

That climb is one of the few firm practical points to consider before booking. It is not described as a strenuous mountain hike, and the total route lasts only about 60 to 75 minutes. Still, anyone who dislikes uphill walking or has difficulty with steps should plan carefully.

Take your time on the way up. The audio tour is self-guided, so you are not trying to keep pace with a group or guide. You can stop when you want, listen again, and enjoy the view before continuing.

The route is described as well maintained and beautifully arranged. Even so, a volcanic hill is not the same as a paved city sidewalk. Comfortable shoes make sense, especially if you want to circle the crater without rushing.

Walking the crater rim for about an hour

The main activity is a circuit around Montsacopa’s crater. The full walk takes roughly one hour, though the stated duration allows up to an hour and 15 minutes. That extra time gives you room for photographs, pauses, and the climb.

The route follows a historical trail around the crater. The audio points out places where there is something specific to explain, rather than filling every step with constant talk. That makes the format easy to manage. You can look around, listen, and keep moving without feeling trapped in a fixed schedule.

The open crater is both the strength and limitation of the walk. Its simple meadow setting lets you see the shape of the volcano and enjoy open air. It does not offer a long series of buildings, exhibits, or dramatic installations. If you want a major museum-style attraction, this will feel light. If you like a short walk with a clear sense of place, it works better.

The route’s value comes from the combination of sight and explanation. You are not only walking around a hill. You are learning why volcanoes appear here, what happened during the last eruption, and how the land around Olot developed afterward.

Two watchtowers with 360-degree views

The two watchtowers are among the clearest rewards of the climb. From the top, you can look across Olot and the wider green valleys of the region. The Pyrenees also come into view, giving you a useful sense of how the town fits into northern Catalonia.

The views are a strong reason to schedule this walk in daylight. The tour’s stated opening hours cover Monday through Sunday from midnight to 11:59 p.m., but the scenery naturally matters most when you can see it. The experience does not specify a separate timed entry, so you have flexibility in choosing your start.

The view also helps make sense of the audio’s geological story. You are not looking at one isolated volcano. You are seeing a region shaped by volcanic cones, lava flows, valleys, and cultivated land.

A clear day should give you the best chance of seeing the Pyrenees. The tour promises 360-degree views of the area, but visibility will always affect how much of the distant scenery you can make out. The audio remains useful in less-than-perfect weather, though the outlook is a major part of the attraction.

Why vegetable gardens surround the volcano

One of the more unusual topics covered by the audio is the presence of so many vegetable gardens around Montsacopa. That detail gives the walk a more practical human story.

Volcanoes are often presented as dramatic natural forces. Here, the commentary also looks at how people use the land. The gardens connect the old volcanic ground with everyday life in Olot. You are encouraged to notice not only the crater and the distant mountains, but also the cultivated areas near the volcano.

This is where the self-guided format earns its small fee. A sign might tell you the name of the volcano. The audio can explain why the surrounding land looks the way it does and how geology, soil, and local use fit together.

The route is not only about a past eruption. It also shows how a volcanic site remains part of a living city.

The church inside Montsacopa’s crater

The church inside the crater is the tour’s most distinctive feature. It is an unexpected sight: a place of worship located within a volcanic formation.

The audio explains why the church is there, giving you a historical question to consider as you walk. This stop adds a human layer to the geology. Instead of treating the crater as an empty natural bowl, the route shows how local people gave the site a religious and social purpose.

You will also reach the two watchtowers near the top, so the church and the lookout points provide different kinds of interest. The church gives the walk a sense of place and history. The towers provide the wide views.

The church is not described as a separate museum or attraction with its own ticket. No entrance fees to museums or other attractions are included, so you should not assume that any additional interior visit is part of the audio tour. The core experience is the walk around the volcano and the points explained along the way.

How the VoiceMap audio tour works

You use the VoiceMap app on an Android or iOS phone. The purchase includes lifetime access to the tour, along with offline audio, maps, and geodata.

Download the tour before setting off. Offline access matters because you can follow the route without relying on a mobile connection during the walk. Your phone still needs enough battery, and you need to supply your own headphones if you want to listen privately.

One useful feature of this format is control. You can pause the audio, stop for photographs, or move at your own speed. You are not tied to a departure time, and the experience is private for your group rather than shared with other groups.

The available audio has been used in English, which is worth noting if that is the language you need. The provided information does not establish a full list of available languages, so check the app details before purchase if you need something other than English.

The format is best for independent walkers who enjoy some explanation but do not need a person beside them. It is less suitable if you want to ask spontaneous questions or hear a guide react to your interests.

What the $5.40 price gets you

At $5.40 per person, the tour is priced as a small add-on to a visit to Olot. You are paying for the structured narration, route guidance, map, geodata, and lifetime access rather than for admission to a site with staff or exhibits.

That distinction matters. The volcano itself is an outdoor public setting, and the price does not include transport, food, drinks, a smartphone, headphones, or tickets for other attractions. If you already plan to walk up Montsacopa, you could see the crater and views without buying an audio tour.

The audio becomes worthwhile if you want answers to the questions that are easy to miss on your own. Why are there so many volcanoes here? What happened around 100,000 years ago? Why are vegetable gardens common around the volcano? Why is there a church inside the crater?

I would see the fee as good value for someone who enjoys local context and wants a tidy route. It is less compelling for a visitor interested only in a lookout point. One direct assessment of the site found the views appealing but felt that there was not much else to see. That is a fair warning: the commentary is a central part of the purchase, not a minor extra.

Timing, meeting point, and practical planning

The activity begins and ends at Volcà del Montsacopa, 17800 Olot, Girona, Spain. Since the walk returns to its starting point, you do not need to arrange a pickup or work out how to get back from a distant finish.

The listed operating period runs from September 7, 2020, through June 18, 2026, with daily hours shown as 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. The wide window suits a flexible schedule, but you should still choose a time when the views are useful and the route feels comfortable.

Allow about an hour for the stated walk. Give yourself up to 75 minutes if you expect to pause at the watchtowers, listen closely, or take photographs.

Bring:

• A charged smartphone
• Headphones
• Shoes suited to an uphill walk
• Water, since food and drinks are not included

Confirmation is provided at booking. The activity is non-refundable and cannot be changed after purchase, so check your plans before paying.

Who will enjoy Montsacopa most

I would recommend this for independent visitors staying in or passing through Olot who want a short outdoor activity with a clear story. It also suits anyone interested in geology, local history, views, or unusual religious sites.

Families with older children may find the volcano, crater, and church more memorable than a standard city walk, though the steps and moderate fitness requirement should guide your decision. Couples and solo walkers may appreciate the privacy and freedom to set their own pace.

The tour is also a good fit if your schedule is uncertain. Because it is self-guided and not tied to a fixed departure, you can place it around other plans.

I would be more cautious if you want a major attraction with many rooms, displays, or dramatic volcanic activity. Montsacopa is extinct, and the crater is largely an open meadow. Its interest comes from the setting, the views, and the audio explanation.

Should you book the Montsacopa audio tour?

Book it if you want more than a view and like exploring at your own pace. For $5.40, you get a focused walk through one of Olot’s most unusual places, with offline guidance, volcanic context, two watchtowers, a crater church, and views toward the Pyrenees.

Skip it if you only want to climb the hill, take a photograph, and leave. The outdoor site can be visited without the audio, and the walk itself is not a full-day attraction.

For most independent visitors, the short duration and low price make this an easy addition to an Olot visit. Just download the VoiceMap content first, bring headphones and a charged phone, and remember that the commentary is what turns a simple grassy crater into a worthwhile local story.

FAQ

Where does the Montsacopa audio tour start?

It starts at Volcà del Montsacopa, 17800 Olot, Girona, Spain.

Where does the tour finish?

The walk ends back at the meeting point, Volcà del Montsacopa.

How long does the audio tour last?

The walk around Montsacopa takes about 60 minutes. The estimated duration is approximately one hour to one hour and 15 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The stated price is $5.40 per person.

Is the tour guided in person?

No. It is a self-guided audio tour delivered through the VoiceMap app.

What does the price include?

It includes lifetime access to the tour, the VoiceMap app for Android and iOS, and offline access to the audio, maps, and geodata.

Do I need a smartphone and headphones?

Yes. A smartphone and headphones are not included, so you need to provide your own if you want to use the audio privately.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation to and from Montsacopa is not included.

Does the tour include food, drinks, or entrance tickets?

No. Food, drinks, and tickets or entrance fees for museums or other attractions are not included.

Do I need to be fit for the walk?

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The climb includes just over 100 steps.

Can I take the tour whenever I want?

The experience is listed as open daily from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. It is not tied to a fixed departure time.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Can I cancel or change the booking?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.