Bosc de Can Serra route. Route 6 Les Preses

Les forêts thérapeutiques ont pour objectif de mettre en pratique la reconnexion personnelle avec la nature à travers une promenade dans une forêt mature, appelée « bain de forêt ». Cette pratique, d’origine japonaise, vise à favoriser la connexion avec la nature, chacun à son propre rythme, tout en adoptant une attitude respectueuse envers l’environnement et les autres personnes. Il est proposé d’avancer en silence et de faire des pauses pour se reposer et observer le milieu naturel. De cette manière, l’état de santé s’améliore et un bien-être personnel est atteint, parmi de nombreux autres bénéfices.

The century-old forest of Can Serra grows on the lava flow of the Puig Jordà volcano. It is a downy oak woodland, where oak is the dominant tree species, together with chestnut trees, and an undergrowth dominated by boxwood, holly and ivy, as well as a wide variety of ferns and mosses. Leaf litter, decomposing wood and volcanic rocks are abundant, forming a hilly landscape typical of the Garrotxa, surrounded by dry-stone walls, cultivated clearings and traditional huts.

The Natural Park dedicated this therapeutic itinerary to Salvador Grau i Tort (1963–2016), in tribute to the biologist committed to nature who served as Head of the Natural Environment Planning Service of Catalonia. He began his professional career at the Natural Park of the Volcanic Zone of the Garrotxa, with which he always remained closely connected.

To reach the interior of the forest, the route starts at the car park of the Bosc de Tosca sports area, where we find the Itinerànnia P9 junction. We follow the signs for the Bosc de Can Serra itinerary, heading towards the therapeutic forest.

Following the yellow trail markers, we come to an interpretive information board at junction 9A. We continue along the path between dry-stone walls, pass two more signposts, P15 and P16, and reach a cultivated clearing, which we cross to join a dirt track. We continue until we reach the P10 Pista signpost, where we turn left and proceed towards the therapeutic forest.

After a few metres we arrive at the therapeutic forest, where we find signpost P11. To follow this section of the route, there are low wooden signs bearing the name of the itinerary. We walk a few metres further and a sign indicates a left turn to enter the forest. We follow the wooden signs along the small forest paths until we reach junction P12.

From this point there are two options to return to the Bosc de Tosca sports area:
We can follow the assisted accessible itinerary and continue through the forest, where we find a very well-preserved hut, and then reach junction P11, from where we retrace our steps back.

Alternatively, if we wish to take a longer route, we continue towards Pocafarina. We reach the old cart road at junction P13 and continue in the direction of Pocafarina along this historic route, between dry-stone walls. After a few metres we reach junction P14, where we can either follow the accessible itinerary back to the Bosc de Tosca car park or continue along the longer route towards Pocafarina.

Upon reaching the hamlet of Pocafarina, we find junction P7. Following the pavement, we turn right to return to the Bosc de Tosca sports area, the starting point of the route.

From this point, other routes can be started: the Racó volcano and Corb hermitages route, and the Parc de Pedra Tosca route.

Accessible with assistance

This therapeutic forest route is suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs, etc. At certain points, wheelchairs may require some assistance.

The route also starts from the Bosc de Tosca sports area, at junction P9. In the first section, both route options coincide until reaching signpost P10 Pista.

If we follow the accessible route, we continue straight ahead for a few metres until reaching signpost P17, which indicates a left turn. We follow a path that leads to the old cart road, between dry-stone walls, where we find signpost P14. We turn left and, after a short distance, at junction P13, we enter the forest. We then reach junction P12, where we turn left again, following the accessible path. We pass a very well-preserved hut and continue along the adapted path through the forest until reaching junction P11. There we turn left and, following the signs, we reach the track and retrace our steps back to the Bosc de Tosca sports area.