Hiking in Catalonia: From the home of the most eccentric artist of Spain high up to the easternmost part of the Iberian Peninsula.
- Route: 14,6 km
- Duration: ca. 4 h
- level of difficulty: medium
Starting point: Cadaqués
Our promising hiking route starts in the region’s most famous fishing village: namely in Cadaqués. The small village is popular as “The Pearl of Costa Brava“Blame and who’s been here, understands why. The snow-white, spruce up houses in connection with the blue of the Mediterranean look almost brilliantly beautiful. Only for a short time we let “the pearl” affect us, we don’t want to lose too much time!
Detour to Casa Dalí
On a steep hill we make a little detour to the Cala de Portlligat. In the picturesque bay, right on the water, here is the famous Dalí residential buildingS. The Surrealist lived and worked here from 1948, of course with his beloved wife Gala. Even if it’s difficult, we only marvel at the Casa-Museu Salvador Dalí from the outside – we still have a few kilometers and meters ahead of us!
Hiking through the Catalan nature
The ascent begins from the beach and the route first leads under countless olive trees. I’m starting to understand why olive oil tourism is booming in Catalonia.. The trees only provide us with shade for a short time, then we continue under a bright blue sky between pine, cacti and other typical Mediterranean vegetation.
While we follow our hiking trail, we get to feel the still quite strong October sun! With the Mediterranean on our right, we collect more and more meters of altitude and meander along the rocky coast. Sometimes up, sometimes the path winds through the Catalan nature and provides us non-stop dream views and lots of photo motifs.
Soon I get a first glimpse of our destination in the distance! Bright white, the lighthouse flashes at the highest point of the nature park Cap de Creus and gives us a last boost of motivation. With the goal in mind and the anticipation of a well-deserved Cerveza in the back of your mind, the last few kilometers almost go by itself.
Short cool down break after hiking
The sun is now shining even stronger and the cool sea is becoming more and more tempting. What a coincidence that just before the last ascent is the most beautiful bay on the whole route! Glass-clear, turquoise blue water surrounded by rugged rocks and the picturesque lighthouse in the background.
Heated from the previous 7 kilometers, of course we take the opportunity and cool off in the dream setting. Definitely a treat you don’t come to every day! Relaxed, we let the sun dry us and then start the last few meters in altitude.
Terminal station: Lighthouse
Once at the top, we will be rewarded with an incomparably beautiful panoramic view. Surrounded by rough rock cliffs and the deep blue Mediterranean Sea, the white lighthouse rises into the sky.
Right next door, the nice restaurant and our long-awaited, ice-cold Cerveza. With the sun on our faces we enjoy the well-deserved break and make our way back refreshed and relaxed.
But before that I have to stop again and enjoy the amazing prospect!
Arriving back in Cadaqués, the soft pink sky over the sea greets us and a day full of “Ah’s!” and “Oh’s!” is slowly coming to an end.
More: Visit Cadaqués, Cadaqués – the Pearl of Costa Brava, Cap de Cres – a day between mountain and valley.
