The Cap Roig botanical garden, starting from Palamós

The visit to the Cap Roig botanical garden is just an excuse, as the views along this coastal path are splendid and alone make this hike worthwhile. The many fine sandy beaches nestled in the coves, the typical fishermen's houses and the various forests you pass through are remarkable.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.60 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 326 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 330 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 130 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: -2 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the free car park on Rue del Terç de Napolitans (other free car parks are also available nearby).

(S/E) With your back to the car park, take the path opposite that leads to the port. Then turn left and walk along the port.

(1) Turn right onto the footbridge path. When you reach the road, follow it for about 20 metres, then turn right onto theGR®92marked in red and white.

(2) Continue straight ahead on theGR® along the street that goes uphill, then take the first road on the right. Continue for about 200 metres, then turn right onto the path that enters the woods.

(3) Leave theGR® which branches off to the left and continue along the path which returns towards the sea. After about 400 m, the path joins theGR®. Turn right, then walk along Cala de la Fosca beach. Pass close to the ruins of Castell de Sant Esteve de Mar castle. Walk along Cala del Polvori beach, then Cala s'Alguer beach with its old brightly coloured fishermen's huts.

(4) Leave theGR® to cross the village via the beach and rejoin theGR® at the exit. Continue on theGR® to Cala Castell beach.

(5) Leave theGR® via the steps on the right and go down to the beach. Cross the beach and turn right onto the path that leads into the woods.

(6) Turn right and continue along the path, ignoring all other paths leading off to the left. A fork on the right leads to the ruins of Poblat ibéric de Castell on Cap de Castel (return trip).

(7) Take the path on the left that climbs for about 100 metres, then turn right. Continue straight ahead, ignoring the various paths on the right and left, until you reach a wider track. Follow this track for about 300 metres.

(8) Take the path on the right that returns to the sea and runs along the coast. Ignore the paths that branch off to the right and then the steps on the left that lead up to a car park.

(9) Descend towards Cala Estreta Beach and continue along the various beaches (naturist areas).

(10) Leave the beaches via a staircase on the left and continue along the path above until you reach another staircase that leads down to Cala el Crit beach. Follow the beach.

(11) Go through the tunnel carved into the rock and continue along the beach.

(12) Take the staircase that goes up to the left just before the fisherman's house, then take the first path on the right that continues into the woods. Ignore the various paths on the right and left.

(13) Junction with theGR®. Turn right to reach the entrance to the botanical garden (approximately 800 m round trip).

(14) From the botanical garden, return to the previous fork.

(13) Turn right onto theGR® (red and white markings), which descends steadily to Cala de Castel beach.

(5) Continue along theGR® on the right.

(15) Stay on theGR® and go around the village on the right. Continue along the path you took on the way there.

(16) Continue straight ahead on the GR®.

(3) Take a left onto a variant ofthe GR® (red and white markings) which crosses a hamlet via steps and extremely narrow, typical streets and return to the starting point via the same route as on the way there (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 16 m - Car park on Rue del Terç de Napolitans
  2. 1 : km 0.29 - alt. 10 m - Footbridge
  3. 2 : km 0.83 - alt. 10 m - Continue along the GR (uphill street).
  4. 3 : km 1.15 - alt. 36 m - Intersection
  5. 4 : km 3.7 - alt. 14 m - Old fishing village
  6. 5 : km 4.02 - alt. 11 m - Cala de Castel beach
  7. 6 : km 4.43 - alt. 11 m - Intersection
  8. 7 : km 5.08 - alt. 35 m - Intersection
  9. 8 : km 5.76 - alt. 37 m - Intersection
  10. 9 : km 6.44 - alt. 13 m - Descent to the beaches
  11. 10 : km 6.99 - alt. 10 m - Stairs on the left
  12. 11 : km 7.3 - alt. 20 m - Tunnel
  13. 12 : km 7.35 - alt. 19 m - Fisherman's house: turn left
  14. 13 : km 7.83 - alt. 116 m - Turn-off for the botanical garden
  15. 14 : km 8.16 - alt. 104 m - Cap Roig Botanical Garden
  16. 15 : km 12.17 - alt. 11 m - Bypass the village.
  17. 16 : km 14.18 - alt. 41 m - Straight ahead on the GR
  18. S/E : km 15.6 - alt. 16 m - Car park on Rue del Terç de Napolitans

Notes

Bring enough water as there are no refreshment points after Cala de la Fosca.

Worth a visit

There are numerous opportunities for swimming at the various beaches along the route.
Visit to the Cap Roig botanical garden (the duration indicated for this hike does not include the time required for the visit).

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Olive Catalan
Olive Catalan

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An excellent route. You're in for a real treat!

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Cedced36
Cedced36

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, close to the water, very, very nice

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balades lolo
balades lolo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route along the coastline. Keep it well towards the end (heading north).
Return via the pleasant and relaxing GR trail (through the forest).

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Benj1977
Benj1977

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I recommend this hiking route because there aren't many unspoilt coastal areas on the Costa Brava! This is one of them, especially from Sant Esteve del Mar Castle to the botanical garden. The trail is very well maintained and relatively easy, although there are a few more challenging sections. There are some beautiful beaches along the way: Cala S'Alguer, Platja de Castell and, above all, Cala Estreta. Finally, the icing on the cake is the Cap Roig botanical garden, which is truly enchanting. Between mid-July and mid-August, it also hosts a locally renowned music festival, with concerts almost every evening during this period, featuring Spanish artists and international stars.
Benjamin

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KANY
KANY

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb route. We set off from the car park (free) next to the cemetery on Ronda de Este, located on the edge of the GR and just above the hamlet of Sota Cala Margarida. (between points 2 & 3).

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TISSOTY
TISSOTY

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did this hike starting from Calella de Palafrugel, which allowed me to enjoy part of the GR 92, which deserves its popularity due to the beauty of the landscapes. This magnificent, varied route offers splendid views of the coast.
This hike is recommended for experienced hikers.

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randonneuse 33
randonneuse 33

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The walk along the coast is truly magnificent!

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Marianne et Heidi
Marianne et Heidi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We only did the circular route starting from the botanical garden to the beautiful sandy beach of Cala Castell via the GR (very pretty. The first part is a small path that passes along a ridge. Then there are beautiful parasol mushrooms in the woods). A magnificent return trip along the coast: alternating rocks, steps, waves to avoid on the small beaches, and a beautiful steep climb back up to the botanical garden. Don't hesitate to go through the gate of the botanical garden (not locked) to reach your car in the car park. Total 9.5 km, elevation gain 340 m. 4½ hours walking at a very leisurely pace. A few people near the beach, but otherwise we only met about ten people.

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