Introduction
Prehistoric monuments in Ardenya-Cadiretes
This circular itinerary leads us to discover the heights that surround the summits of Montagut and Cadiretes, starting from Sant Grau’s Sanctuary, passing through a good ridge between the megalithic monuments preserved in the prolific area, including the crown’s jewel (the top one) of the route, the Stone-over-the-other (“Pedra-sobre-altra”). Can you imagine why its named like this?
We appreciate the guidance, explanations and good work of Josep Santané, local guide of Tossa de Mar, during the fieldwork of the present route.
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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DifficultyEasy
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Duration3 hours
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Slope200.00 meters
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Distance10.50 km
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ThemeGeologiaArchitecture and environmentOthers
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ActivityBy foot
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Rating
Slope graph
Description
Prehistoric monuments in Ardenya-Cadiretes
After climbing to Sant Grau’s sanctuary, whether we have arrived from the coast, between Tossa and Sant Feliu de Guíxols, or from the interior, from Llagostera, the itinerary begins directly in front of the entrance enclosure of the farmhouse attached to the religious building, which serves as a bar-restaurant.
As soon as we leave the sanctuary along the road, we will continue briefly in the direction of Llagostera, we will take the pilgrims’ path, a wise and flat path embedded within pines and cork oaks, flanking the slopes of the hill and Montagut’s Castle, will take us up to the runes of Cabanyes de Montagut, where we will find the first two prehistoric stones of the day, a “paradolmen” and the so-called Sacrifices’ stone.
We will go back up, along the track and the path that allows us to almost reach Montagut’s Castle, this time, to go to the area of Cadiretes and Montllor, passing first next to Llach’s menhir to the Pla de ses Pinyaques, from the top of the hill, you can finish climbing it, but it is optinal and out of the route, as we have it next to us. We, however, continue to concentrate on the megaliths, with a great presence of cork oaks, or simply “suros”, as they call them here.
From Pla de ses Pinyaques we will head to the area of the hillocks of Montllor, with large and profiled views to the valley of Tossa’s stream, where we can also have a look at the paradolms of Garcia and Reig, and the paradolmen of Ses Rates, just next to the plain of Ses Armes’ Square and Montllor Petit’s hill.
Now we will need to surround the thick Montotor basement to its other side, also with good views and with the presence of the menhir of Montllor, from where we go back and beyond the Pla de ses Pinyaques, where we will go directly to see the crown’s jewel; the megalithic monuments of the massif, “La Pedra-sobre-altra” - on top of it, a prehistoric intervention made at the base of a capricious geological formation that will not leave us indifferent. Enjoy it, as the itinerary will be reaching its last steps till the return to Sant Grau’s Sanctuary.
Tips
TRACK
- The track is stable, along roads, tracks, carriageways, and some embossed trail, with no difficulty.
- Rate its length.
WATER
- We will not find any drinking water points throughout the route. Take a full water bottle from the beginning.
PRECAUTIONS
- We do not recommend climbing over the megalithic monuments, both for its instability and the monument itself. Keep an eye on children.
- Be careful with the adherent surfaces with the presence of sand since they can make you slip.
- Long itinerary, you must be used to walking.
WEATHER
- It can be done at any time of the year.
- Some sections of the route offer little shade. Protect yourself well from the sun.
PATH
- In some walkways, the effects of the sand erosion of the sauló, which is so characteristic of these mountains, can be very slippery.
MATERIAL
- Walking sticks can help us in this route.
- Camera.
OTHER EQUIPMENT
- In the Sant Grau’s sanctuary there is a bar-restaurant service at weekends and festive periods. In any case, call before going to make sure it is open.
