The best multi-day routes in Catalonia

ByRafa López Martín
Panoramic view of the "Roques d'en Benet" (Ports de Tortosa- Beseit).
Panoramic view of the "Roques d'en Benet" (Ports de Tortosa- Beseit).

Proposal 1- "La ruta dels refugis" (Tarragona).

This 90 km journey can be structured as follows four stages staying overnight in a refuge each day. The route crosses two natural areas of the "golden coast", the wooded areas of the Prades Mountains and the natural park of the Serra del Montsantwith its rugged landscapes.

Complete wikiloc route map

1st stage: Cornudella de Montsant- La Mussara. 22 km. +1047 m.

We start our first stage in the village of Cornudella de Montsant. From here we ascend to the spectacular village of SiuranaWe descend along the river Siurana and its "gorgs" (accumulations of water that invite you to bathe). We will pass through three abandoned villages, Gallicant, Castillejos and la Mussara where we will spend the night in the refuge.

Abandoned village of La Mussara

2nd stage: La Mussara- Mont-ral. 20 km. +1023 m

We will start by going down the bridle path of the ".les Tosques"We will pass by the "font Major" and approach the small village of l'Eixample.Albiol. Now we will go down the valley of the Albiol river and go up the valley of the Glorieta river up to the refuge of Mont-ral.

3rd stage: Mont-ral- Prades. 22 km. +1034 m

We will climb a first stretch up to the "Pont de Goi"from where we will go down to the village of Capafonts by the "font de la Llúdriga". Through a wooded area we pass the hermitage of Abellera and the Tossal de la Baltasana, from where we descend to the town of Prades where we will find the shelter at the campsite.

In the forests of the Prades mountains, we can find the Pyrenean oak. The leaf is characterised by being large and having very deep lobes. These trees are usually covered with a large amount of mosses and lichens.

4th stage: Prades- Cornudella de Montsant. 20 km. +608 m.

We will go up the "pla de la Guàrdia"and we will arrive at the Grau d'en Saura. The "graus"These are rocky passes that allow us to cross the gorges of the Montsant mountain range. We reach the village of Albarca and along the "historical path of the Carthusians" we finish the journey in our starting point.

Proposal 2- "Estels del Sud" (Tarragona)

Circular route of 109 km, to be done in five stages through the natural area of the "...".Ports de Tortosa- Beseit". This limestone mountain massif, with its curious conglomerate formations, will surprise you with its views, its solitary landscapes, its aquatic ecosystems and its mountain goats.

Complete wikiloc route

Views of the Caro (highest point of the massif at 1442 m) from "les Roques d'en Benet".

1st stage- Beseit-Refuge Font Ferrera. 21,5 km. Difference in altitude: +900 m/-315 m.

We will start by walking along the "Gubies del Parrissal"River path with footbridges that passes through the area of the straits. Possibility of getting wet depending on the water flow.

2nd stage- Font Ferrera Hut- New Caro Hut. 19,5 km. Difference in altitude: +730 m/ -785 m

In this stage we will follow the GR7, alternating path and track. We will pass through the Cova del Vidre and the Marturi ridge up and down to the refuge.

3rd stage- New Caro- Paüls refuge. 23 km. Difference in altitude: +765 m/-1570 m

We will also follow the route of the GR7, crossing pastures with bulls, the windy area of the "Las Ventosas" and the "Las Ventosas".Rasses de Marraco"and various passes that will lead us to the Sant Roc recreational area and to Paüls.

This part of the massif will surprise you with its open landscapes.

4th stage- Paüls- Arnes. 21.5 km. Difference in altitude: +1065 m/-870 m

This time the GR7 will take us underneath the Benet Rocks and will lead us to one of the most beautiful stretches of the route, "els estrets d'Arnes". In this river canyon we can take a dip while the vultures fly over our heads. Shortly after, we will arrive at the village of Harness.

The "Estrets d'Arnes" is one of the most spectacular sections of the route.

5th stage- Arnes- Beseit. 23 km. Difference in altitude: +1120 m/-1040m

This last stage will bring us closer to the Toll de Vidre(a pool in the river Algars) and will take us up to the Penyagalera before returning to our departure town.

Proposal 3- "Caracremada Route"(Barcelona)

A 5-day route of just over 90 km through the pre-Pyrenees area of Barcelona. Emulating the routes that Ramón Vila Capdevila, known as "Caracremada", used to do. One of the last maquis who fought in the area after the Civil War.

Complete wikiloc route

From the "Pedró de Tubau" (Sant Jaume de Frontanyà) we can contemplate the majestic pre-Pyrenees with Pedraforca on the left.

1st stage- Rasos de Peguera- Gósol. 21 km. Altitude: +761 m/-1341 m.

We start our tour at the end of the road, at the "La ".Creu del Cabrer"At this stage we will walk along the Ensija mountain range. We will pass through the Roc del Ferrústhe Portell and stocks of l'Espa, Sorribes and we will end up in Gósol.

This is the starting point of our journey. We can see the "Creu del Cabrer" and the toponymic sign.

2nd stage- Gósol- Arp Hut. 17 km. Difference in altitude: +1391 m/-792 m.

In this stage we will ascend the "torrent Fosc"to the top of the "Cap del Verd"The 2282 m will be the highest point of this stage. The descent will be through a rocky "canal" that will take us down to "el prat Major". Then we will go along different cols until we reach the solitary one refuge of l'Arp.

Pedraforca with its "Pollegons" and its central "enforcadura", omnipresent in this area.

3rd stage- L'Arp Hut- Sant Llorenç de Morunys. 18 km. Difference in altitude: +602 m/ -1654 m.

This stage will take us through the station of Nordic skiing in Tuixén- La Vansa. We will be setting foot on two summits, the Tosa Pelada and the Pedró dels Quatre Batlles. The descent will be on the tracks of the Port del Compteand after passing by the hermitage of Santa Magdalena, we will arrive at Sant Llorenç de Morunys.

The black pine is the tree that can be found in the culminating areas of our journey. If we go there in spring we will see its male flowers, like the ones in the photograph, covered with pollen.

4th stage- Sant Llorenç de Morunys- Aiguadora. 22 km. Difference in altitude: +945 m/ -963 m.

The longest stage through which the Busa mountain range. After passing the Llosa del Caval reservoirl, we will have two options, one a little more aerial. After visiting the Busa PrisonWe descend to the remains of an ancient Benedictine monastery and arrive at Llinars.

5th stage- Aiguadora- Rasos de Peguera. 13 km. Difference in altitude: +1196 m/ -175 m.

A short stage, but with a steep climb, which will take us to Rasos de PegueraThe route passes by abandoned farmhouses, "baumas" and rocky "canals".

Proposal 4- GR 92 (Girona)

First part of this great coastal route that allows us to get to know two natural areas, the Cap de Creus with its characteristic geology, and the Aiguamolls of l'Empordàwith its ornithological richness.

If we go up to the castle of Sant Salvador, we can enjoy fantastic views of Cap de Creus. The monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes at our feet and Port de la Selva in the background.

Stage 1- Portbou- Llançà. 9.8 km. Difference in altitude: +484 m

In this first stage we walk along the Albera mountain rangewe went through Colera and through some beaches we approached the town of Llançà.

Information Stage 1

Stage 2- Llançà- Cadaquès. 20.3 km. Difference in altitude: +774 m

After going through Port de la Selva and we enter the natural space of the Cap de Creus. The route ends at Cadaquèsinteresting fishing village.

Information Stage 2

Cadaquès has always been frequented by painters, including Dalí.

Stage 3- Cadaquès- Roses. 21.7 km. Difference in altitude: +1068 m

The first part of the route goes up and down inland. The second, more coastal part will take us through emblematic coves, such as Montjoi o Jòncolswith breathtaking views of the Norfeu peninsula.

Stage 3 information

As it could not be otherwise, the GR makes us walk along some stretches of beach.

Stage 4- Roses- El Cortalet (Aiguamolls de l'Empordà). 16.3 km. Elevation gain: + 70 m

We set off from Roses to visit several natural areas of the Aiguamolls of l'Empordà. The route ends at the information centre.

Stage 4 information

Walkways that invite us to a quiet stroll and wildlife observation.

Stage 5- El Cortalet- L'Escala. 20.3 km. Elevation gain: +135 m

A stage with no appreciable gradient that allows us to pass through natural areas, such as rivers, beaches and birdwatching spots. We pass through Empúries and we end up in l'Escala.

Stage 5 information