Mina dels Bandolers

An excellent, short (1,5 hour incl. photo stops etc.) walking path with an interesting hide out for bandits in the 17th century and a magnificent view over the mountains a few minutes further up. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area!nnThis mine is a big, natural alley of about 50 meters long by 1,5 meters wide and 2,4 meters high. Today it is uncovered, but until not long ago time it was covered by a roof made of natural soil, branches, roots and bushes and made an excellent hideout.nnThe walking route to the Minas is not well indicated at all, but if you follow the instructions below, it shouldn’t be that hard to find.nnTake the road from Olot to Vic (C-153 / C-756). You will pass several exits; Esquirol (and Tavertet) Cantonigrós and Rupit. Continue until you get to km 34 and then take a left turn into the small road Falgars. Continue on this road for 3 Km. (in the mean time, you will pass Coll de Pruit) and stop right before the farm called Hostalot.nnufeffWe parked here and took the walking path towards Olot. (The one with The major sign and a proper path. You will pass the house on your left and continue to the stream and cross the beautiful old bridge.nnFollow the road whilst admiring the large flat slabs that form the path. In just over half a kilometer there is a fork; follow the path to the right slightly uphill. You will pass hazelnut trees and oaks. When at the fence, go left and follow the trail on the edge of a crop field. You will pass the old Hostal del Grau* now.nnCross the next fence on your left hand. Here your descent begins. Follow the beautiful, zigzagging path leading to the path of Olot or Pruit. There are many beech trees, mosses and ferns next to the trail,nnAt one of the first zigzags there’s a sign with Mines del Bandolers. Follow the sign (go straight ahead and leave the proper trail).nCross a small stream (in our case, in summer, without water) and continue until you get to large limestone cliff sheets. By now you’ve walked a kilometre or so.nIMMEDIATELY after the big slabs of limestone, there’s a small trail uphill that leads you to the entrance of the southernmost mouth of the Minas. This is the small Minas, but the big one is immediately next to it, but slightly higher. If you go back to the limestones and continue approx, 50 meters, there’s a small, steep path uphill that will lead you to the next entrance. We carved an arrow into a large tree branch, but who knows if it’s still there when you visit..nnIf you wish to have a look at a stunning scenery from an amazing viewpoint, continue a little further down the path of the Minas and you will find a magnificent view on your left.nnGo back the same way.nn*the road from Olot to Vic dates back to the 17th century and many people have walked this trail. The farmhouse here used to serve as a hostel and mandatory stop for many people who passed through this place before continuing to Vic. The detours and turns of the road at this point down to steep the cliffs covered with lush vegetation, with holes and escapes everywhere, make that in times of banditry, particularly the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, it was a very unsafe and dangerous path to walk. The bandits would hide in the Minas and could not be found again...

A good hiding place, sheltered from the wind and not far from the main road that went from Vic to Olot.

Entertaining and pleasant route to do since on the way you go through different places (much of it under the shade of the trees) It is recommended to do the route leaving the car in the parking lot behind the Hermitage of San Simplici, in this way you can see Gorg del Negre and Gorg de l'Olla among others. As a negative point, the signage during the route is somewhat scarce.

A very nice place worth visiting.

It's very cool, but the path to get there is a bit hidden. It would be nice to put a mark on it.