Parc de la Pedra Tosca

Parc de la Pedra Tosca is a small landscape park in Les Preses, sitting within Catalonia's Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park near Olot. It occupies part of the Bosc de Tosca forest, spread over a lava flow released by the Puig Jordà volcano roughly 17,000 years ago. Here geology, two centuries of farming labor, and a modern landscape-design project all come together in one walkable site.

What will you see there?

The defining feature is a dense network of dry-stone walls enclosing small cultivated plots. In the 19th century, after local farmers gained ownership of land previously held by the church, they cleared the forest growing over the hardened lava and stacked the stones they dug out of the soil into walls and small huts. The result is a kind of open-air maze: tiny fields bordered by stone, scattered mounds, and characteristic pockets where cold air collects.

In 2004, this historic agrarian landscape became the subject of a landscape-architecture project by Carme Pigem of RCR Arquitectes. Rather than adding new structures, the intervention carefully cleared, ordered, and revealed the existing pattern of walls, paths, and plots, letting visitors walk through the park and read its history directly in the stone. The project later received the European Rosa Barba Landscape Prize.

How do you get to Parc de la Pedra Tosca?

The park sits right by Les Preses, about 1.5 km from Olot along the road toward the village. Arriving by car is the most practical option, with parking available at the park entrance. Since the whole area lies within the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, it pairs naturally with visits to nearby volcanic cones and the region's hiking trails.

When is the best time to visit?

The park is open to visitors every day, so a stop can fit into almost any Garrotxa itinerary. Given the terrain — dry-stone walls, uneven paths, and plenty of tree shade — a walk here is pleasant in most seasons, though spring and autumn offer milder temperatures for longer walks or bike rides through the surrounding countryside.

Who is this park for?

It suits travelers looking for a quiet encounter with nature and the region's farming history, as well as landscape-architecture enthusiasts drawn by the award-winning RCR Arquitectes concept. The park works well for a family stroll, a short cycling stop, or a break during a wider tour of volcanic Garrotxa.

Frequently asked questions

What is Parc de la Pedra Tosca? It is a landscape park in Les Preses built on a former lava flow from the Puig Jordà volcano, known for its dense network of dry-stone walls and small farming plots, designed by architect Carme Pigem of RCR Arquitectes in 2004.

How far is the park from Olot? The park lies about 1.5 km from Olot, toward Les Preses, and is easily reached by car thanks to parking at the entrance.

Is the park open all year? Yes, it is open to visitors every day, regardless of the season.

Why did the park win an award? It received the European Rosa Barba Landscape Prize for its careful, restrained restoration of a historic agricultural landscape, recognized for blending heritage preservation with contemporary public-space design.