Introduction
We encourage you to do this delightful route and discover the beauty and all of the scenic nuances offered by the Empordà plain. This route takes you into pine woods on seaside sand dunes and enables you to discover the flora and fauna of the river Ter, find out how a mill from the time of the knights irrigates all of the right-hand side of the river Ter and discover the rational and harmonious Romanesque architecture of the churches in the different places you visit along the way.
This is quite a long route but as the terrain is flat, it is always easy to take a break and start pedalling again.
We recommend the Local Natura App to do this route. Download it for free here:
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TypologyAnti-clockwise circular
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DifficultyMedian
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Duration4 hours 40 minutes
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Slope310.00 meters
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Distance42.00 km
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ThemeEnvironmentArchitecture and environmentLandscaping
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ActivityBy bike
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Rating
Slope graph
Description
The first pedal strokes are in the municipality of Pals, in the free car park in the centre of the town. The route sets off towards the sea, specifically Pals beach. On the track that separates you from the coast, you will pass through immense coastal pine woods, some of which grow on sand dunes. When you reach the beach of el Racó with the Medes Islands standing out on the left, you find yourself on a very long sandy beach and will find out about the vegetation that grows and survives in this inhospitable environment.
Once you leave Pals beach behind, you enter an unquestionably unique territory: the Basses d’en Coll, where you can spot all sorts of birds if you keep your binoculars handy. On leaving these ponds, you follow a good stretch of the lower part of the river Ter. There you will find an information point dedicated to explaining the flora and fauna, where, if you are lucky, you might be visited by an inhabitant of the river. From here, your route and the route of the river take different paths.
You will go to the village of Gualta where you can discover the medieval mill from the fourteenth century and the history behind it. Next you will discover the twelfth-century Church of Sant Martí de Fontanilles with its distinctive Romanesque structure with baroque alterations.
After an intense uphill stretch you come to Llabià, a village of just over 50 inhabitants which has a very large twelfth-century Romanesque church.
Finally, you come to Fontclara where you will find the Monastery of Sant Pau with its apse decorated with thirteenth-century paintings.
A route full of nature and landscapes where you will discover a series of villages in the Baix Empordà.
Tips
Route
- A physically quite demanding route, it is long and has steep climbs. Remember to rest, take breaks and stay hydrated.
- It is important to follow the signals of the track for the route as the ones on the route can sometimes go unnoticed.
- Ninety per cent of the route is on tracks.
Water
- There are no sources of water anywhere on the route.
- Take water from home.
- It is important to hydrate at least once an hour while doing intensive activities.
Precautions
- Wear a helmet and clothing in visible colours; this way when you are riding on the road, vehicles can see you from further away and you can help avoid unnecessary mishaps.
- Remember to drink frequently and stop for food.
- If you are planning to do the route on your own, make sure you tell someone your itinerary and all of the relevant information so they know where you are at all times.
- Keep an eye out for cars and motorbikes using the trail.
Weather
- Wear sun cream if you plan to do it at times with strong sun, like spring or summer.
- Do not do the route if it has rained a lot or if heavy rain is forecast, as there might be flooding and the sandy ground can become hard to ride on.
Terrain
- This is rocky and sandy so make sure to use suitable tyres.
- Some stretches can be muddy after rain.
Equipment
- Hardwearing footwear, or specialist mountain bike shoes.
- A camera (if you can fit it in your rucksack)
- Take equipment to repair or replace inner tubes in case you get a puncture.
- Gloves and helmet.
