Xenacs via ''the camí dels Bous'' and puig Rodó view point. Route 3 Les Preses

The recreational area of Xenacs in Les Preses provides an atypical view of La Garrotxa and is one of the best places anywhere for getting a bird’seye view of Croscat and the other volcanoes in the area. As well, its height makes it an ideal place

  • Modality
    • By foot
  • Region
    • Garrotxa
  • Towns
    • Preses, Les
  • Time
    • Less than 3 hours
  • Difficulty
    • Medium
  • Estimated duration
    • 1h50min
  • Distance
    • 3,5Km
  • Hide elevation maximum
    • 838m
  • Hide elevation minimum
    • 476m
  • Ascent
    • 520m
  • Descent
    • 158m

Start in the town’s main square (La Plaça Major), signpost P1 Església de Sant Pere,  and head for the ‘Àrea de Xenacs (pel camí dels Bous)’. Pass by the cemetery and then, just a few metres further on, leave the metalled road and pick up a track.
Follow this track until the yellow Itinerànnia waymarking points you right into an area of pasture.
From here, the path starts to climb steeply along what is known as ‘La Pujada dels Soldats’ (the Soldiers’ Climb).
Continue climbing until you come out at a bend in the metalled road that heads up to Xenacs from Les Preses. Turn left along a path that climbs more gently — you are now on the ‘Camí dels Bous’. This path continues to climb just a few metres below the road you until you cross a track at signpost P5 Trona del Rector. Here, you should continue along the metalled road until you once again come to the ‘Camí dels Bous’, which drops down to the left.
From here, the route undulates up to signpost P2 Xenacs, where you should turn right for the short final climb up to the recreational area.
You can return to Les Preses by retracing your steps or by following the route “Xenacs pel volcà Racó” (50min) or the route “camí de les Barrincoles” (45min)

Puig Rodó viewpoint
If you want to walk a little further before descending (around 50 min, there and back), take the route to the vantage point Mirador de Puig Rodó.
Leave P3B Àrea de Xenacs along the track opposite the recreational area that leads into the forest. After dropping down into and then out of a gully (El Clot de les Grípies), take the footpath off left that then zigzags upwards to the top of Puig Rodó , from where there are magnificent views over La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone.
Descend along the same path.