The Garrotxa comarca has retained its official designation as a mountain area under Catalan regional policy, despite being initially excluded from updates to the Llei d'Alta Muntanya (Law on High Mountain) due to criteria such as average altitude. Although the comarca did not meet all technical requirements for inclusion in the revised law, the Generalitat de Catalunya made an exception following sustained advocacy by the Consell Comarcal de la Garrotxa. The regional government recognised the area's rural character, dispersed population, and infrastructure challenges as justifying continued support. Jordi Güell, mobility councillor at the Consell Comarcal, confirmed that the decision allows Garrotxa to maintain access to targeted public funding: “We were left out of the High Mountain Regions Law, but we have kept our mountain area status, which benefits us in future aid and public policies.”

€523,500 Allocated for Path Maintenance

As part of a broader €6 million package announced by Territori Minister Sílvia Paneque, Garrotxa is set to receive €523,500 for the upkeep of municipal paths during the coming year. This funding falls under an early call for grants aimed at maintaining rural and neighbourhood trails across ten mountain comarques and the Val d’Aran. Work funded by the grant must take place between 1 January and 31 October 2026.

  • Alt Urgell: €970,000
  • Solsonès: €832,000
  • Pallars Jussà: €821,499
  • Pallars Sobirà: €667,500
  • Berguedà: €622,500
  • Garrotxa: €523,500
  • Ripollès: €496,000
  • Cerdanya: €446,000
  • Alta Ribagorça: €322,000
  • Val d’Aran: €299,000

The allocation reflects the length of each comarca’s municipal path network. According to the Department of Territory, these areas face high maintenance costs due to orographic and climatic conditions, while operating with limited municipal budgets.

These aids are another tool to ensure territorial equity and improve living conditions, helping to stabilise population and prevent depopulation.

, Sílvia Paneque, Minister of Territory, Housing and Ecological Transition

Support for Rural Mobility Continues

The funding is part of ongoing mountain policy measures designed to support mobility in remote areas. Since 2022, the annual budget for rural path maintenance has remained stable at €6 million, up from €2.5 million previously. Eligible works include restoration, drainage improvements, signage, and surface repairs on municipally owned rural tracks. The aid helps small municipalities manage infrastructure burdens caused by rugged terrain and harsh weather. Further details on the grant programme are available via the Generalitat's official document on mountain zones and the Llei 2/1983 d'Alta Muntanya.

Primary sources: portaljuridic.gencat.cat, Generalitat de Catalunya, bop.diba.cat. Reported by garrotxadigital.cat, viurealspirineus.cat, Garrotxa Digital.