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7 ideas, picked for these days
A weekend in the Ripollès: Romanesque monasteries and the Núria rack railway
In August Núria is at almost 2,000 metres and several degrees cooler than the coast, with the lake and the meadows in summer. The Rack Railway has its long timetable and fills by mid-morning: buy the train online and go up on one of the first.
Ripoll: two monasteries and a greenway
When the coast boils, the Ripollès gives a Sunday of monasteries under cover and a flat greenway beside the Ter. Both monasteries open in August, and the Ripoll cloister is cool first thing.
Berguedà by motorbike: Coll de la Creueta and a mountain table
In August the Coll de la Creueta, at 1,921 metres, is one of the coolest roads nearest Girona, with a stop in Castellar de n'Hug and the sources of the Llobregat. Set off early: in mid-afternoon the Pyrenean storms build up.
Montseny: easy beech forest and grill
At 1,100 metres and under the beeches, Santa Fe is the nearest shade to Girona in August. The loop round the reservoir is flat and short, and the mountain grill is eaten outside; book, as on the long weekend it fills.
Rupit: waterfall and inn
In August the Salt de Sallent carries little water, but the stream has shade and Rupit, at 800 metres, cools in the afternoon. The 1930 inn has a cool stone dining room; closed on Wednesdays.
A getaway to Besalú and the volcanic Garrotxa, with a balloon flight
In summer the balloon goes up with the first light, before the heat, and is the best time to see the volcanoes. Besalú is toured before eleven; the Besalú Medieval festival is at the end of the month, not on the 15th.
Codorníu: cellars by train and lunch in the tower
The Codorníu cellars are underground and are toured by train at a cool temperature, the plan for the hot hours. Open all year, August too: book the timed visit and lunch at the tower.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is there anywhere cool near Girona in August?
Núria, at almost 2,000 metres, the Coll de la Creueta and the Santa Fe beech wood in the Montseny.
Is the Costa Brava worth it on 15 August?
Only very early. At midday the beaches and villages are full and parking is difficult.