Aiguablava – Llafranc and return via the Cami de Ronda

Park in the Aiguablava car park, which is on the left, just before the barrier controlling access to the Parador.

^GR®92Cami de Ronda White and Red markings

(S/E) Return to the road you arrived on, follow it to the right for about a hundred metres, then cross over to join another road, which climbs steeply. Continue to the junction marked by a signpost, opposite a stone electricity substation.

(1) Head uphill to the right, following the markings and the sign for "Tamariu". At the end of the tarmac, take a first turn right then left to follow a lovely path through the woodland, a mix of earth, stones and sand. Reach a crossroads.

(2) Turn left and join a track suitable for vehicles, near a signpost, which is poorly positioned as it is several metres to the right of the track.

(3) Turn left. Pass through a forest gate and continue along the concrete track until you reach a roundabout where there are numerous recycling bins.

(4) Continue to the right, using the dirt footpath where possible. Once at the end, turn right to follow the road leading to the centre of Tamariu, and arrive at a junction with a hiking signpost.

^PR® C-107 white and yellow markings

(5) Turn right and follow the pavement on the left. Walk past the campsite, start a steep climb to reach a junction (recycling bins), and continue left for a few metres.

No signposting

(6) Turn right onto the dead-end road, despite the Yellow Cross and White Cross. At the left-hand bend, leave the road and follow the path to the right, going round a chain. Further on, keep to the left, continuing on level ground, then climb back up to rejoin the dead-end road you left earlier.

^PR® C-107 white and yellow markings

(7) Take the path on the right and begin a very steep climb over unstable, gullied terrain. Reach a new junction.

(8) Head right towards the fence, go through it and turn immediately left, as indicated by the signposting. You will reach a T-junction (fire hydrant).

(9) Turn left at a 90° angle to follow the wide path, which curves to the right, running alongside fenced-off properties. Leave the woodland before emerging onto a road, a few dozen metres from a junction located on a bend.

(10) Cross with great care to reach the path that allows you to walk alongside the road safely. Head right towards the junction, cross the road, and continue to the right, towards the hiking signpost. Then turn left and stay on the main, signposted path, which runs through open terrain. Ignore the access to two properties on the left.

Local trail markings: Green and White

(11) Look out for the start of a narrow path on the left running alongside a fence: hiking signpost marked “San Sebastià”. Reach the junction with a wide path; follow this to the right for a few metres, before turning left onto another uphill path leading into the woodland. Reach the end of a street in a residential area.

(12) Continue to the left. At the Stop sign, cross carefully and continue straight ahead. Go straight on at all junctions.

No signposting

(13) Turn left, passing the Green Cross and the White Cross, and rejoin the Cami de Ronda.

^GR®92Cami de Ronda red and white markings

(14) Turn left, negotiate a hairpin bend to the left further on (very old ground markings that are very difficult to see), and continue for a few dozen metres.

No markings

(15) Tricky junction: leave the Cami de Ronda and turn right onto a narrow path that is difficult to spot (White Cross and Red Cross). Reach an intersection facing the sea and continue left to come out onto a better-defined cross-country path facing a wire fence.

Old yellow Yellow Circle markings

(16) Turn right to follow this path which hugs the contours of the terrain, following the coastline at a higher elevation. After several steep climbs and steps, the path levels out again. Pass a small bench with a table (even smaller; a rest stop is possible), then begin a very steep descent, sometimes secured by ropes, to reach Cala Pedrosa and its pebble beach.

^GR®92Cami de Ronda White and Red markings

(17) Resume the path for a short but very strenuous climb, secured throughout by wooden handrails. The path then levels out, passes Pointe de la Musclera and continues along the coast.

(18) Pass the small cove of en Roig, and cross rocky slabs where the trail temporarily disappears. At this point, simply head towards the small stone structure, trying to spot the few markers present. Find the path again and head towards Tamariu and its sandy beach. Turn left once you reach the tarmac and return to the junction you passed on the way out (signpost).

(5) Turn right and retrace your steps in the opposite direction to the T-junction.

No signposting

Go straight on, climb the flight of steps at the end of the street and continue straight ahead.

(19) Leave the street and climb the wooden stairs on the right. Once at the top, turn right onto the street you left just before, and continue for about a hundred metres. Turn right to take some new stairs, at a white arrow on a concrete post. You’ll come out onto a path; turn right and continue along the tarmac.

(20) Be careful not to miss the steps leading down to the right, near another concrete post. You’ll come out onto a dead-end street; turn right, then take the new, rather steep steps on the left leading to the path running along the sea, which is the old Cami de Ronda. Follow it, enjoying the magnificent views all the way. You’ll reach the end of a street that serves as a small car park.

(21) Immediately take the path on the right and continue on your way, passing some very beautiful properties on the left. Pass a viewpoint, complete with a bench, and reach a street.

(22) Turn right and walk to the right-hand bend, where there is a grey house with white shutters.

(23) A very tricky junction: leave the road and turn left onto a narrow, rarely used path, judging by the overgrown vegetation. A short, very steep and particularly difficult climb leads to a tarmac road.

^GR®92Cami de Ronda White and Red markings

Follow this road, turning right.

(24) Keep to the right at the road junction and return to the original fork.

(1) Stay on the road you’ve been following, then turn right at the junction to head back down to the Aiguablava car park (S/E).

This hike can be done in either direction, but it is best to follow the route described so that you can take advantage of the many opportunities for a swim on the way back during the summer months.

This route is challenging in several respects:

• numerous paths making navigation difficult despite generally dense signposting. The GPX track and mobile app are essential.
• Narrow paths with very steep ascents and descents on stony and often unstable ground. You will sometimes need to use your hands.
• several flights of steps to climb or descend, some of which are quite steep.

After the (5) on the return leg, the decision was made to follow the old route of the Cami de Ronda, as shown on the map. The current route is different and moves away from the coast, whereas the route described here has the major advantage of staying as close as possible to the sea and allowing you to enjoy the many coves and exceptional views. More demanding than the current, re-routed path, this section at the end of the hike is no longer signposted and requires you to save your energy.

Hiking boots are essential. Walking poles will be particularly useful on the descents.

No water points identified. Drinking water (fountain) and bars in Tamariu, as well as at the (S/E) on the way down to the beach.

Tamariu

Pals

Aiguablava