The Costa Brava’s Caminos de Ronda
The Costa Brava is a fantastic place to do some trekking. One of the best places to go trekking in the Costa Brava is along the Caminos de Ronda. These tracks wind their way along the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean and have had many uses throughout their long history. They were used as a means to reach vessels shipwrecked along the coast,by smugglers, linked villages and as lookout posts for attacks from marauding ships.
The Caminos de Ronda get their name from when the Guardia Civil and local authorities patrolled the coast on the lookout for smugglers and marauders. The majority of the tracks follow the long distance paths (in this case the GR-92 which crosses Catalonia) or shorter paths (PR) and are signed accordingly.
Today the Caminos de Ronda on the Costa Brava offer an enjoyable walk amongst pine trees and typical Mediterranean shrubs including rosemary and thyme. They are a great way to explore the region and discover hidden coves all the while admiring the magnificent views over the sea. In the majority this paths are not technically difficult and can be walked throughout the year.
Here are some of the more spectacular sections of the Caminos de Ronda:
- Cala Montgó-Punta Milà: Walk along cliffs over 100m high. Distance 1.7km. Time:35 mins
- Cala Ferriol- Cap de la Barra: Cross through some of the most virgin areas of the Costa Brava and admire the views of the Medas Islands. Distance 5.5km Time: 2 Hours
- Playa del Racó- Punta de la Creu: Wander the Ses Negres Marine Reserve, Orly partially marked. Distance 2km Time 1.5 hours
- Cala d’Aiguafreda- Aiguablava: One of the most popular walks of the Caminos de Ronda. Distance 6.9km Time 3.5hours.
- Tamariu- Cala Pedrosa: Around Palafrugell this path allows you to discover some very interesting secluded coves. Distance 1.8km Time 45min
- Llafranc- El Golfet: Offering some of the most spectacular scenery in the Costa Brava including Calella de Palafrugell and the San Sebastian lighthouse. Distance 3km Time 1 hour.
- Cap Roig- Playa de Castell: This loop takes you past the Cap Roig Botanic Garden, the Ibderian settlement of Castell and the Formigues Islands. Distance 4.2km Time 1.5 hours.
- Playa de Castell-Cala Margarida: Coves with clear crystal waters, old fishing villages… this path allows you to enjoy the traditional enchantment of the Costa Brava. Distance 3.4km Time 1.2 hours.
- Torre Valentina-Playa de Ses Torretes: Along this section of the path you can see the remains of six defensive watch towers. Distance 1.3km Time 30 mins.
- Sa Conca – Playa del Racó de S’Agaró: Enjoy the architecture of the zone as well as the rocky natural landscapes. Distance 2km Time 45 mins.
- Playa de Sant Pol- Cala Jonca: Cliffs, secluded coves and some interesting modernist style constructions like the Casa de les Punxes. Distance 2.2km Time 1 hour.
These and other sections of the Camino de Ronda and other places to go trekking in the Costa Brava can be found here.
