Palamós – Calella de Palafrugell, returning via the coastal path

In Palamós, head towards Cala de la Fosca and park in the designated spaces on the street called Carrer del Cap de Planès. If it’s busy, there’s a car park nearby, at the end of Carrer dels Esports

(S/E) Continue along the street until you reach the barrier blocking the road ahead to traffic. Go round it on the right to cross over and reach the junction at the corner of the campsite: there is a signpost with a ‘Platja de Castell’ cycle route marker.

(1) Turn left onto the dirt track that runs alongside the campsite and head to a new junction opposite a sign for “Accrobranche”.

Dirty blue and white markings + cycle route markings

Turn right, following the sign for “Platja de Castell”. At the next junction, pass the entrance to a private property on your right and turn left. Ignore an uphill path on the left and head to a junction with a signpost.

(2) Turn right, continuing to follow the Platja de Castell cycle route markings. Keep right at the three-way junction, and further on, let the path leading to the beach in question branch off to the right. Then cross the narrow bridge over the Riera de l'Aubi, which is completely dry, and reach a T-junction.

^GR®92White and Red Signposting

(3) Turn right, skirting a large meadow on your right and a large grassy car park on your left, to reach a small tarmac track. Continue to the right until you reach the bend just ahead.

(4) Take the path on the left, passing through a forest gate, go past the recycling bins, then let the wide path leading to the beach branch off to the right. Turn left at the next three-way junction.

Dirty green and white markings +^GR®92white and red markings

(5) Keep right at this junction and continue to the next crossroads, located at a sign prohibiting two-wheeled vehicles and motor vehicles.

(6) Head uphill to the right to follow a gully-like path leading to an isolated house that seems out of place here (especially as the quality of the construction leaves much to be desired). Turn right, following the double markings. The path then turns sharply left, passing close to Puig de Terme, which rises to 132 m above sea level but offers a limited view due to the vegetation. Continue in the same direction until the next T-junction.

(7) Turn right and you will soon reach a large crossroads where numerous tracks converge.

No signposting

Let the^GR® head straight on and take the wide path on the left, which winds gently down to the next junction.

(8) Follow the path on the right downhill and continue to the edge of the woods.

(9) Head straight on, ignoring the wide path on the right (which is very tempting), then turn right a good hundred metres further on. Do the same at the junction in the bend and continue across the fields to the edge of the next wood, where you must turn right at a 90° angle.

White and yellow markings

(10) Turn right at the T-junction and follow the path which, further on, leads out of the woodland and continues across the fields in a long, almost straight line, ending at a small tarmac road: follow the signposts.

White and yellow markings +^GR®92white and red

(11) Just before the road, turn right to go round a wooden gate and follow the wide stony path (Cami de Ronda) which leads further into the woodland. You will reach a junction at the corner of a large property.

(12) Turn left and continue along the path until the first marked bend to the right.

Blue and green markings

(13) Head straight ahead and slightly to the left to join a path overlooking the sea and numerous small reefs. The descent becomes steeper, leading to the beautiful Cala del Crit, where the small, isolated white building has a real ‘end of the world’ feel to it.

(14) Continue along the Cami de Ronda. A succession of rocky coves follows: Cala dels Termes, Cala del Cap de Planes, where you’ll need to cross a rock via a narrow gap, then Cala de Roca Bena.

(15) Once at the end of the beach, cross the small rocky headland that closes it off, depending on the water level – you risk getting your feet wet if you’re not careful. Walk along the beach at La Cadena, then Cala Bona and finally Cala Estreta, all three of which are very popular with bathers. Return to the Cami de Ronda, pass Cala Corbs (closed due to a high risk of rockfalls), go past Cala Canyers and reach a T-junction with a track suitable for vehicles: signpost.

(16) Turn left, leaving the track behind by heading straight on at the bend to rejoin the path. This continues along the cliff edge, leading to Cala Cobertera, then to the foot of Cap de Castell where you must turn right, following the signposting, before reaching the beautiful beach at Castell.

(17) Turn left to go round the beach bar and head towards the steps to rejoin the Cami de Ronda. Continue to a crossroads situated beneath majestic pine trees.

(18) Turn right. Pass a small round car park reserved for residents and head towards the corner of the campsite.

(1) Turn left, follow the path around the barrier and go straight on to reach the car park (S/E).

Warning: there are a great many trails, paths and tracks in the area. The multitude of junctions and signposts can add to the potential confusion. The mobile app and the GPX track will be really useful.

You’ll need to reckon with the many mountain bikes and e-bikes on the first section up to (11). However, everyone gets on well together.

There are no water points along the route. The first place where you might be able to quench your thirst is at the end of the route at Castell beach (17).

Much of the route is in the shade, making it very pleasant even in the summer. However, it is best to set off in the morning to avoid the heat of the day.

Hiking boots with good grip soles are recommended: there are numerous stony sections, steep and unstable slopes.

It is recommended that you walk this route in the direction described to enjoy a swim at the end of the walk. This is possible from (14): it is hard to resist the crystal-clear, warm water of the many small sandy beaches. However, it is quite busy in July and August.

This hike requires a good level of fitness. Do not be misled by the relatively modest elevation gain: the Cami de Ronda features very steep ascents and descents on stony ground. Furthermore, the steps to be negotiated add to the exertion.

Palamós

Calella de Palafrugell