Cap de Norfeu

Park in the first car park on the left when you arrive in Montjoi, just before the holiday centre. Access to the site is via the small road that leads to this beach and branches off from the Gran Via de Pau Casals in Rosas: the start of this road is not necessarily easy to spot.

^GR®92- Cami de Ronda - White and Red markings

(S/E) Take the stony track that follows the tarmac road and walk along the fence wall of the holiday centre.

(1) Look for the return path on the left and continue straight ahead on the flat track.

(2) Leave the track and turn right onto a narrow path: the^GR® 92 route is not up to date at this point. This balcony path follows the contours of the rugged rocky coastline and leads to the small beach of Cala Calitjàs, which you must cross to rejoin the marked route at a signpost. A few hundred metres further on, cross Cala Pelosa beach and continue on level ground until you reach a fork in the path that is not very clearly marked.

No markings

(3) Leave the^GR®92on your left and stay as close to the coast as possible to begin a challenging diagonal climb. The trail then turns left and quickly reaches a pass marked by a signpost.

(4) Turn right and tackle a second steep climb to cross the rocky ridge at its weakest point and quickly reach the Tour de Norfeu: a remarkable 360° viewpoint with a QR code on the information panel to learn more about this signal tower. Continue along the path and reach a fork with a signpost .

(5) Keep going in the same direction until you reach the next fork, where a new signpost points to the right and left towards Barraca de Paluencs, with a difference in distance.

(6) Take the longer route on the right to go around the cape in an anti-clockwise direction. Thyme, wild thyme, junipers and rockroses cover the ridge, along with a few pines and holm oaks: stay on the path and respect this environment, which is part of the Cap de Creus Natural Park Integral Reserve. The path curves to the left and reaches a clear plateau where there is a fork. Head right towards the stone hut (Barraca de Paluencs), go around it on the left and climb up to the well-marked viewpoint. Enjoy the exceptional view of Rosas Bay and the Empordà plain, with the Medes Islands, Cap de Begur and the Catalan Pyrenees in the distance.

(7) Return to the crossroads and continue the route by turning right.

(6) Turn right again, retracing your steps.

(5) Leave the tower behind and turn right, following the sign for "Cova de les Ermites". The path quickly reaches the site where a dry stone building stands next to the entrance to the cave itself: it is possible to visit, but a torch is necessary.

(8) Continue along the wide, flat path leading to the Coll del Canadell car park.

^GR® 92 - Cami de Ronda - White and Red markings

(9) Turn right, then take the path on the right that runs along the mountainside, resisting the temptation to take the wide track (30 km/h speed limit sign). The path crosses the dry bed of the Rec del Canadell, then climbs very steeply to a pass from where Cala Jóncols comes into view. The descent to the cove is not easy as it is very steep, especially at the end, and the stone steps leading down to the beach are very welcome.

(10) Walk past the houses and follow the wide track leading to the site.

(11) Leave the^GR®92on your right and continue straight ahead, following another red and white marker. The track winds almost flat through a small arid canyon where the sparse vegetation is punctuated by magnificent prickly pear trees and wild olive trees. All along the way, the numerous small dry stone walls on the eastern slope give an idea of the colossal work that went into building them and are truly impressive.

No markings

Further on, leave the^GR® trail, which branches off to the right, and continue to the hairpin bend to the left about a hundred metres further on.

(12) Very tricky junction: leave the track and look for the start of a path on the right, almost opposite, which winds its way through the low, dense vegetation. Be very careful for the first hundred metres as the trail is very faint and difficult to find if you lose it: a GPS will be very useful here. Continue along a path that becomes much clearer higher up and leads smoothly to the dry meadows of Pla de la Guardiola.

Yellow markings

(13) Turn right onto a wide path that climbs several steep slopes to Plans de les Magines, where there is a signpost.

(14) Turn left, following the signs for "Roses por Cala Montjoi". Follow the stony path, which begins a steep descent after a hairpin bend to the left and continues along the hillside to rejoin the original route at the holiday centre.

(1) Turn right and return to the car park (S/E).

Possible shelters:
Torre de Norfeu.
Barraca de Paluencs before the viewpoint (7).
Cova de les Ermites (8).

Hiking boots recommended: numerous rocky sections. Walking sticks useful.

Hike rating

The hike is classified as difficult for several reasons:

1/ Several very steep sections with sudden changes in elevation:

• between (3) and (4), then between (4) and (5).
• after (9), before crossing the small pass that leads to Cala Jóncols.
• between (13) and (14), from Pla de la Guardolia to Plans de les Magines.

2/ The path starting from (12) is difficult to spot and follow for the first hundred metres.

In high season, you can refuel and quench your thirst

• at S/E.
• at Cala Pelosa.
• at Cala Jóncols (10).

In low season, you will need to bring enough water with you, as only the first part between (S/E) and (3) is shaded by pine trees. The rest of the trail is in full sun, so you will need to bring appropriate headgear.

The entire hike takes place within the Cap de Creus Natural Park Integral Reserve, where specific regulations must be observed, including a ban on camping.

Figueres

Cadaqués

Port Lligat