ROUTE » The seaside path follows a narrow path at the water’s level between Almadrava beach and Cala Montjoi cove, bordering cliffs and sheer rock faces interspersed with pine groves and typical Mediterranean shrubs.
It’s an ideal route for refreshing yourself in any of the coves and beaches along the way, taking a dip in the sea in the summertime.
The seaside path begins at the last house on Carrer Gauguin in Almadrava, which is also where the Cap de Creus Natural Park begins.
About 1 km into the route you will reach Punta Falconera (“Falcon’s Point”), so named because of the presence of falcons some years ago. This point was occupied by the military until the 1990s because of its interest as a strategic enclave, as it offers a view that dominates the Bay of Roses. As a result of the military use of the area, there is a network of underground galleries and walkways that are connected to the surface through bunkers with artillery batteries and slits through which the mouths of the artillery pieces once projected.
Past Punta Falconera, the path rises and drops with the sharp coastline, crossing through pine groves and cliffs along the sea, along with a number of well-defined coves. The first of these is Cala Lladó. The quarry, still visible, was used to extract marble, which was then transported by sea to Roses. The ramp and the landing stage where the marble was taken down to the boats at sea level can still be seen today.
After Cap Trencat (literally, “Broken Cape”), which owes its name to the rocks that have broken off over time and fallen into the water, you reach Cala Murtra (a cove where nudism is allowed), named after the Mediterranean myrtle (“murtra” in Catalan), the area’s predominant vegetation. Beyond Cala Murtra lies Cala Rostella, the two coves separated by the Cap Blanc cape.
There are numerous shoals along this section of the coast, dangerous rock formations lurking just below the surface of the water that for centuries had caused shipwrecks. The area is now popular among scuba divers.
Finally, the seaside path reaches the beach at Cala Montjoi. Here, looking towards the end of the valley of the same name, you can distinguish two buildings: Mas de Montjoi de Baix and Mas de Montjoi de Dalt, two farmhouses that gave life to this area in the past.
For those who wish to enjoy the landscape even further, the seaside path continues to wind along the coast.
The return route is along the same seaside path to Almadrava beach.
APPROXIMATE DURATION » 5 hours (there & back)
DIFFICULTY » Medium
PLACES OF INTEREST » Seaside path, Almadrava, Punta Falconera, bunker, Cala Lladó, Cala Murtra, Cala Rostella, Cap Trencat, Cap Blanc, Calis beach , Cala Montjoi, Mas de Montjoi de Baix, Mas de Montjoi de Dalt, shoals, Cap Norfeu