Circular Santa Maria de Llorell and return via the Cami de Ronda

In Tossa de Mar, park in the spaces available at Plaça Patinaje, located near the Esclat supermarket. In high season, you will most likely have to use one of the two paid car parks on site.

(S/E) Head towards the entrance to the larger car park, drive past it and follow Carrer de Miramar until you reach the bend.

Green markings

Leave the street and turn right onto a wide dirt track that climbs gently through the woods.

(1) Note the path on the left, which will be the return route, and continue along the path until you reach a fork near a metal gate. Turn right, passing under a beautiful tunnel of vegetation, and continue climbing steadily. The slope becomes much steeper at an isolated house on the left, and the path leads to a crossroads with a signpost.

White and red GR®92 markings + yellow markings

(2) Turn right, pass in front of an elegant ochre-coloured building and you will soon reach a three-way junction where you should keep to the right. Then begin a steady climb with another signpost as your guide. Once at the top, continue straight ahead, following the double markings to approach the GI-682 (Carretera de Lloret) at the entrance to Santa Maria de Llorell.

(3) Just before you get there, take the path on the left, which allows you to walk alongside it safely. Cross a small car park, pass in front of a rather dilapidated restaurant and continue along the road, passing close to a Spar supermarket and a multitude of recycling bins. Then take the path, which becomes narrower, runs alongside the safety barrier and then moves away from it, climbing to reach a crossroads.

(4) Turn left, keeping to the path that runs alongside several housing estates and leads to a tarmac road at a stony area.

(5) You will need to look carefully to spot the start of a very overgrown path on the left, which is almost invisible for the first few metres. The path then becomes clearer, but you will need to be careful as the terrain is very rugged. You will reach the end of a tarmac road and follow it until you come back to the road you encountered earlier.

(6) Cross over to the opposite side and take a wide, partially grassy path which turns into a trail after the last houses. Begin a sometimes steep descent and join the Cami de Ronda at a sign warning that access to the cliffs is dangerous due to the risk of rockfalls.

(7) Turn left and begin the most difficult section of the hike, which requires caution and vigilance. After a very steep descent, fortunately equipped with small log steps, you must cross a first section of sloping rock slabs secured by a rope and chain: cross this passage with your back to the slope for greater safety. Return to the path, descend further steps and begin the second difficult section, also secured by a chain and a rope partially equipped with knots to make it easier to grip.

Reach the first beach at Portopi, then the second beach of the same name, after passing through two rocky tunnels. Then descend the steps on the right leading to Garbi de Llorell Beach, pass Lllevant de Llorell Beach and rejoin the tarmac road. Continue to a crossroads, turn right towards a cul-de-sac and go to the end to find the small staircase on the right leading to Cala d'en Carlos.

(8) Go down and stay on the Cami de Ronda, which further on joins a small car park near the tiny Cala d'es Llevador.

(9) Descend to the right towards the cove and, just before you reach it, take the very steep path opposite that climbs up the rocky promontory: the slope is very steep and the path is often unstable. You will come to a crossroads where there used to be an old signpost, which has now disappeared, and continue to the right. Cross a tricky area where the path disappears in places and where numerous fallen pine trees make orientation difficult. You will then find a clearer trail and reach a three-way junction at Cala Moltó.

(10) Turn right. This is followed by a difficult section, both uphill and downhill, due to the slippery terrain: do not hesitate to use your hands several times to stabilise your progress. Pass by an old grain mill used as a table and cross a short steep slope. The path turns right at a small wooden house and joins a fork.

(11) Turn right towards Cala d'Allà-on-raja-l'aigua and, just before you get there, be careful not to miss the small path that branches off to the left and immediately climbs uphill. This climb is steep, with poor grip, and you must use the ropes provided to help you progress. Once at the top, the path veers to the right and reaches a fork.

(12) Turn left, temporarily leaving the Cami de Ronda to follow a path that avoids another steep climb, and rejoin it further on. Continue straight ahead to a magnificent, vertiginous but well-secured viewpoint.

(13) After enjoying the view, turn your back on the sea and leave the Cami de Ronda to follow the wide, flat path that rejoins the GR®92.

GR® White and Red markings

(14) Turn right and follow the wide track that descends at a steady gradient. Ignore the track on the right and continue straight ahead to reach the end of a tarmac road leading to the Torre de Moros.

(15) Ignore this and take the path on the left to return to the starting point.

(1) Turn right and follow the outward route in reverse to return to the car park (S/E).

The markings on the Cami de Ronda between (7) and (13) are very discreet or even non-existent. This is why they have been deliberately omitted.

Despite the relatively short distance, the hike is well worth the difficult rating for the following reasons:
* Very steep, tricky sections secured by chains or ropes.
* Slippery terrain with steep ascents and descents that make it difficult to maintain traction and require the use of your hands.

Hiking boots with good grip soles are essential. Walking poles are not recommended as it is often necessary to use your hands on the route.

Food and drink are available at Llevant de Llorell beach.

Tossa de Mar.

Lloret de Mar.

Tamaríu.