Grand Tour of Catalonia Gravel - Stage 34

From Port de la Selva to Cadaqués through the heart of Cap de Creus

We leave Port de la Selva and walk around the harbor and the bay toward Punta de la Creu, where the trail climbs steeply over rocky terrain. We quickly reach the summit, and the view is spectacular right from the start. We enter a landscape of wind-sculpted rocks and low, hardy vegetation, lashed by the Tramontana wind. Typical of Cap de Creus, the granite trails rise and fall in short stretches until the sea reappears ahead, leading us to Cadaqués—one of the region’s most famous coastal villages. Whitewashed houses, cobblestone streets, and a radiant, unmistakable light define the village’s character, whose tranquil appearance conceals a lively maritime spirit that unfolds against a backdrop of cliffs, sea, and wind.

From Dalí’s Landscape to the Cap de Creus Lighthouse

From Cadaqués, a narrow, winding road leads past Portlligat—where Dalí’s house overlooks the sea—and continues upward through an otherworldly landscape of sculptural rocks to the Cap de Creus Lighthouse, the easternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula. Perched 87 meters above sea level, the lighthouse towers over a wild, mineral-rich landscape of cliffs, hidden coves, and winding rock formations, in which Dalí saw shapes and found inspiration everywhere. The descent back to Cadaqués is short but spectacular, with unobstructed views of the sea and the scent of salt carried by the wind.

From the coves of Cap de Creus to the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà

After Cadaqués, the route turns inland and follows trails that cross the southern slopes of the park. The trail passes near Castell de la Guardiola before descending back toward the coast, alternating between ascents and descents and passing famous coves such as Montjoi and Murtra. A final short climb leads to a natural lookout point with a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire Gulf of Roses. From here, we descend toward Roses, pass through the town, and continue along rural trails that lead into the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Nature Park. The landscape changes dramatically: mountains give way to rice paddies, wetlands, and canals teeming with birds—gray herons, ducks, and even pink flamingos. The final kilometers are completely flat and perfect for a leisurely finish in Castelló d’Empúries, an ancient county seat with a remarkable historical heritage and the gateway to the Empordà Plain.