Les Illes Medes. L'Estartit.
Port del Falaguer. L'Estartit.
Cala Ferriol. L'Estartit.
Camí a Cala Ferriol. L'Estartit.
Vistes al Golf de Roses i al Cap de Creus. L'Estartit.
Return

ROUTE TO CALA FERRIOL

Route
10/06/2015
Index card

Introduction

The Muntanya Gran and its Coves

The “Route to Cala Ferriol” allows you to see much of the Muntanya Gran on the outward leg and discover three beautiful coves on the north side of l’Estartit. It takes you between groves of Aleppo pine and garrigue, and you will discover its flora and fauna and enjoy the peace and quiet of coves with calm crystal-clear waters while discovering the geological and natural curiosities of this part of the Montgrí Natural Park, the Medes Islands and the Baix Ter.

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  • Typology
    Time Circular
  • Difficulty
    Median
  • Duration
    3 hours 31 minutes
  • Slope
    586.00 meters
  • Distance
    12.33 km
  • Theme
    Flora and fauna
    Landscaping
  • Activity
    By foot
  • Rating

Slope graph

Description

The Muntanya Gran and its Coves

The “Route to Cala Ferriol” starts behind the tourist office in l’Estartit and passes through streets of the centre of the town before leaving it and heading uphill towards la Muntanya Gran on a paved road. The first stop is at Salt de l’Euga, an old waterfall which flowed in the Torrent d’en Planes seasonal stream, and is now an exceptional viewpoint overlooking l’Estartit.

The route heads uphill on a paved track in the shade of a beautiful Aleppo pine grove until it reaches a signposted crossroads, where it follows the paved track which leads to the old communications base. The trail runs alongside an area with several quarries, before turning to the right and heading between the thickets of kermes oak on the Muntanya Gran where you can discover the features of the fauna and flora of this place.

The trail is wide but at the same time difficult as far as the crossroads which leads to Cala Ferriol, because of the large number of rocks on it. The descent to Cala Ferriol is very straight and rocky but it is worth the effort and you will be rewarded with clean crystal-clear water in an incomparable setting. 

From Cala Ferriol, you turn back, retracing your steps as far as the crossroads in the route which leads to Cala Pedrosa. At this point, you have to decide whether to return to l’Estartit on the same route as the outbound leg or to follow the circular route and go to Cala Pedrosa and Cala Calella. The circular route which leads to l’Estartit following the coast and visiting the coves is more demanding and has constant climbs and descents, but it is worth the effort.

On the descent to Cala Pedrosa, stop to enjoy the views of la Foradada and Cap de Creus, and if you are lucky and it is windy, you might see air blowing out of the Pedrosa blowhole. La Pedrosa is a charming little cove with clear waters which has an atmosphere of calm.

Leave the cove on a flat and pleasant path through an Aleppo pine grove accompanied by the singing of large numbers of birds. The path is flat at first but gradually gets steeper until it reaches the top of la Pedrosa, where it starts descending again towards Port del Falaguer, where you can enjoy looking at the seabed, the impressive cliffs and the many birds nesting on them.

You now head uphill again to the Coll de les Salines, with views of the headland of the same name, before descending again to Cala Calella. From here, there is now just a short climb alongside els Arquets to Pou de la Calella and the Cap de la Barra viewpoint, which has one of the best views of the Medes Islands.

From the viewpoint, you descend on a quiet road to the promenade, which you follow to l’Estartit’s Tourism Office and your starting point.

Tips

ROUTE

  • Route with sections with no signal. DO THE ROUTE OFFLINE
  • The route alternates between trails and rocky paths.
  • On some stretches the green and white marks of the local path help with following the route.
  • If you prefer, you can go to Cala Ferriol and return by the same path, although we recommend doing the circular route.
  • Short but steep climbs and descents on the coast path, especially climbing from and descending to the coves.

WATER

  • There is an urban fountain as you leave the village.
  • Bring plenty of water, especially in summer.

PRECAUTIONS

  • Very high cliffs.
  • Risk of falling if you get too close. 
  • Keep a close eye on children.
  • There are lots of small paths leading to the cliff-edge. Caution!!
  • Respect people’s private property and the surroundings in general. You are in a Natural Park.
  • Take care not to twist your ankle on the rocky paths.

WEATHER

  • The coastal path is uncomfortable on days with strong wind.
  • Wear suitable clothing for the time of year and the weather forecast.

TERRAIN

  • The trails and paths are rocky on the whole.
  • Some uphill or downhill sections are on steep and rocky narrow paths.

EQUIPMENT

  • Wear comfortable shoes with a good grip.
  • Protection from the sun or wind if necessary.
  • Camera.
  • Food to eat at the half way point, before returning.

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What is there

What to see in: ROUTE TO CALA FERRIOL

Es mostren 1 - 14 de 14

SALT EUGA

Point of interest
Landscapes
10/06/2015

You are at the viewpoint of the Salt d’Euga, a few metres from the seasonal stream of en Blanes where you can enjoy one of the most picturesque views of l’Estartit, with the Medes Islands in the...

DRY STONE WALLS

Point of interest
Environment
10/06/2015

To the right of the path are dry stone walls, evidence of a recent agricultural past and a habit of making maximum use of the land, which was present in much of Catalonia until the middle of the...

CUCKOO

Point of interest
Wildlife
10/06/2015

Cuculus canorus

The cuckoo is a summer visitor to Catalonia and announces the arrival of spring with its unmistakable call, which is reminiscent of cuckoo clocks. It arrives from the end of March...

KERMES OAK AND CISTUSES

Point of interest
Flora
10/06/2015

This undergrowth with kermes oak and cistus is not as thick as garrigue and can be found in places which have been affected by processes like fires and replanting, which leave ideal terrain for...

KESTREL

Point of interest
Wildlife
10/06/2015

Falco tinnunculus

The kestrel is a bird of prey from the genus Falco. It is quite common and is easy to spot and identify because of the way it flies when hunting, staying virtually still facing into...

CALA FERRIOL

Point of interest
Geology
10/06/2015

This east-facing cove with crystal-clear waters is the second largest in the Montgrí Massif, after Cala Montgó at around 150 m in length. The cove is sheltered by the rocks and pine trees surrounding...

VIEWS OF LA FORADADA

Point of interest
Landscapes
10/06/2015

You are now overlooking the Golf de la Morisca with la Foradada and Cap Castell in the foreground and the Albera mountains and the mountains of Cap de Creus in the background.

One of the best known...

LA PEDROSA BLOWHOLE

Point of interest
Geology
10/06/2015

A few metres to the left of the path you are following is a small depression in the ground covered by vegetation. This is a blowhole. If you approach this small coastal gallery on windy days or when...

Cala Pedrosa

Point of interest
Geology
10/06/2015

The large number of pebbles which cover its beach give the name – rocky cove – to this small but charming cove with calm crystal-clear waters.

It is an ideal place for exploring the seabed with the...

Cova de l'Avi Company

Point of interest
Geology
10/06/2015

This is a small L-shaped cave which is about 2 m in depth and length.

The Montgrí Massif mainly comprises carbonate rocks from Mesozoic sediments, which have enabled the development of karstic...

Port del Falaguer

Point of interest
Wildlife
Flora
10/06/2015

This is the lowest part of the gully of el Falaguer, which leads to the sea. In these lower areas which are very close to the sea, the scarce vegetation is predominantly halophile (adapted to the...

Cala Calella

Point of interest
Wildlife
10/06/2015

You are now in Cala Calella, where two seasonal streams meet spilling into a small inlet of the sea with calm, clear waters.

The underwater flora of the Montgrí coast is of unquestionable value in...

Pou de la Calella

Point of interest
Geology
10/06/2015

Geologically the Montgrí Massif is formed by carbonate Mesozoic sediments. This has enabled the appearance of karstification processes, most notably, the formation of shafts, sinkholes and caves.

The...

CAP DE LA BARRA VIEWPOINT

Point of interest
Landscapes
10/06/2015

You are just above the cliffs of Cap de la Barra, with an approximate height of 85 metres, the headland is just in front of you and at your feet, with the Roca d’en Boni next to it. This special...

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Rating
/5
9 votes
84%
Ratings with comments Publish rating
Paisage espectacular i calas con aguas critalinas. La vuelta se nos ha hecho un poco larga...
Paisatge brutal! Ideal per fer-la a la primavera.
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