The Ripollés, lies between the Pyrenees and the Pre-Pyrenees. It is a typical Pyrenean region, and
its divided into two geographics units, Alto Ripollés and Bajo Ripollés.
The Alto Ripollés includes the axial Pyrenees, with peaks as the Puigmal (2913 m) or Eina,
it also includes the Mountains of Toses (1800 m) or the Sierra of Cavallero, and the Valley of
Ribes and Camprodón. The Bajo Ripollés, is located in the Pre-eastern Pyrenees with a
relief softer and contains the Sierra of Capsacost and the Sierra of Milany.
It has a Mediterranean weather on the half high mountain, in areas above 1600 m, and temperate and moist in the rest.
The winters are cold and have cool summers.
The vegetation is based on the dominance of deciduous forest at altitudes lower than 1,700 meters. From that altitude
dominates the forest of pine and black pine, except in moist areas, which dominates the fir. The oak is present in
middle and lower levels, mainly in areas having more moist. At present, the Ripollés retains significant areas
of oaks. The pine trees species are the largest in the region, except for the mountainous area that borders the
Garrotxa, where are the largest beech grove forests in Catalonia.
Its capital, Ripoll, is a village with an important historical heritage with major Romanesque monuments that make
it one of the great medieval centers of Catalonia.
The industry of Ripoll is recalled today with the so-called "Ruta del Ferro (Iron route)" that goes by the
track that followed the train carrying coal extracted from mines in the mid nineteenth century. The 12 km of abandoned
track goes between the route of Ogassa to Ripoll, its an ideal way to walk on foot or by
bicycle.
The gastronomy of Ripoll is based on its shepherd culture with influences from Empordà. Some
important dishes are the duck with pears, apples stuffed with meat or the bittersweet spine, among others, based on
products of the region.
Ripoll has several important festivals like Fiesta de la Lana (Feast of wool) in Ripoll, the festival of
Sant Antoni, the Feria del Ganado (Fair Livestock) of Espinavell or Major Feast of Sant Joan de
les Abadesses that shows people their ancient traditions.
