THE ADAC’S CYCLOTOURISM ROUTES

Nº 7

SANT MARTÍ D'EMPÚRIES

L’Estartit – les Dunes – les Corts – Sant Martí d’Empúries – l’Escala – la Muntanya Gran – l’Estartit

Description of the cycling route:

Between the regions of L’Alt Empordà and El Baix Empordà, the massif of the Montgrí is the stage setting for this route: mountains, beaches, coves, pinewoods…

This is a circular route, which takes you from the beach of l’Estartit to the beaches of the Gulf of Roses and back. You can start the route at any point and go in either of the two directions, however we suggest that you go in the north-south direction, so that you will go through L’Escala cycling near the sea and at the same time respecting the direction of  traffic on the one-way streets. Out of this town, the route runs mainly on rural, quite shady, mud tracks or asphalted country roads, on a secondary road for about 1 km between L’Escala and Albons, and on a cycleway near Sant Martí d’Empúries.

Once again, we start the route in front of the Tourist Office in Estartit, and we take the so-called “Camí Vell”, the route which traditionally connected L’Estartit and Torroella de Montgrí. We will cross Les Dunes, an interesting landscape formed by real dunes of sand that comes from the beaches of the Gulf of Roses, now kept secure by a splendid pinewood. In the direction of Sant Martí d’Empúries, we will cycle on rural tracks around L’Escala, where we can admire the architecture of the typical farm houses in the area (with defence towers against pirates): Torre Ferrana, Mas Vilanera and the magnificent historical hamlet of Les Corts, which is now well restored.

The hill-top medieval village of Sant Martí d’Empúries is well worth a visit; at the foot of the village there are  some good beaches and a public picnic site amongst trees. Nearby you will find the archaeological remains of the Greco-roman town of Emporion. On our way back, we will pass through L’Escala, enjoying its beautiful seafront. Otherwise, you can cycle as far as Cala Montgó.

You then pass by Campsite Neus, where you will start an ascent to Muntanya Gran (150 m), a spot that has been reforested with pines. At the top of the slope, also as an alternative, you can cycle to Punta Milà, a 90m cliff above the sea with great views over Cala Montgó and Cap de Creus. You finish this route cycling easily to l’Estartit from Salt d’Euga, enjoying a splendid view of the town with the Illes Medes (Medes Islands) in the background on your descent.

NOTES:

In Les Corts, we have found some signposts along the way with the indications “PROPIETAT PRIVADA” (PRIVATE PROPERTY), which might make you think that you are not allowed to cycle that way. However, according to the information we have been given by the local municipal government of L’Escala, the houses and lands are private, however the path through the hamlet is for public use, so you ARE allowed to go through the hamlet and admire the cultural heritage represented by these “masies”.

In very dry seasons and when there are strong winds (the tramuntana is the name of the wind from the north which often blows in this area), we suggest that you postpone this excursion because there is a high risk of fire.

  Narcís

English version: Sara Puigdemont and Vivien Greatorex

General examples of road types 

KM

38