Grand Tour of Catalonia Gravel - Stage 35

From the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà to Sant Pere Pescador

We leave Castelló d’Empúries by bike and enter the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Nature Park, one of Catalonia’s most important wetlands. Wide paths lead through farmland and floodplains inhabited by gray herons, flamingos, and mallards. The landscape is open and expansive, with the sea nearby and the Pyrenees as a distant backdrop. After crossing the Fluvià River, we reach Sant Pere Pescador, a village shaped by both the wind and the river as it winds its way to the Mediterranean Sea.

From the Sea to the Montgrí Massif

From Sant Pere Pescador, the route follows rural paths and sections of the Pirinexus loop to l’Escala, where we ride along the coast before turning inland. We pass through agricultural landscapes on our way to the Montgrí, Medes Islands, and Baix Ter Natural Park. We pass through Ullà and Torroella de Montgrí and ride below the imposing 13th-century castle that sits atop the limestone massif. White pine forests and low shrubbery mingle with rice paddies and a network of canals. On both sides of the river, a patchwork of fields and farmhouses reflects the agricultural and historical significance of this fertile plain.

From the Baix Ter Plain to the Medieval Villages of the Empordà

After crossing the Ter, the route becomes even more rural and culturally rich. We pass through Gualta and reach Ullastret, home to an ancient Iberian settlement and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the region. The next stop is La Bisbal d’Empordà, the region’s capital, known for its pottery tradition: in its workshops, you can still hear the potter’s wheels turning, and colorful ceramics adorn the streets. The final kilometers take us through Peratallada, a true medieval gem with cobblestone alleys, fortified gates, and warm golden stone facades, and then through Sant Feliu de Boada, a small feudal village surrounded by fields and centuries-old farmhouses. A final stretch along rural paths takes us to Pals, where the old town and its Romanesque tower mark the end of the stage and round out a day full of history and the unique character of the Empordà.