Cap Norfeu: a legendary route
The fable says that this stunning place owes its name to Orpheus, hero of Greek mythology who, with his sweet-sounding lyre, got the mountains near the coast to come closer to listen to the lovely music… This is the beautiful legend behind the birth of Cap Norfeu, located in the Cap de Creus Natural Park and an unbeatable setting for walkers of all ages.
And that’s the idea: to get to know the Costa Brava in different ways, right? This time, we recommend a spectacular route for families in the area between the bays of Jóncols and Montjoi, where you can discover Cap Norfeu, which forms a long, narrow peninsula lined with cliffs and natural caves that extends a couple of kilometres into the Mediterranean Sea.
Along this route we can delight in the great natural beauty that characterises the area, such as the beautiful forms that the sea and wind have sculpted in the rock over thousands of years or the vast diversity of flora and fauna that make it one of the most environmentally valuable areas in Cap de Creus.
A FAMILY OUTING
This is an easy route, ideal for sharing with children over five years old provided that they are used to walking. The route is a little longer than 4 kilometres and does not present great difficulties. That said, keep an eye on young children at certain points along the way as there are cliffs over the sea and narrow passages between the rocks. The great beauty of the views and the natural surroundings invite you to stop and enjoy the magnificent scenery, lengthening the approximately one and a half hours the route takes if we decide to do it without breaks.
The point where the Cala Jóncols and Cala Canadell tracks cross is the starting point for this lovely walk. From there, follow directions for route 16 of “Parque Natural del Cap de Creus: Reserva Natural del Cap de Norfeu”. Although in the first part of the walk we are following the route that leads to Roses (GR-92), after a short time we reach an intersection that takes up towards Norfeu Tower, after having gained altitude on the way.
NORFEU TOWER
Built in around 1604 as part of the defensive network of the Gulf of Roses against piracy, today, unfortunately for visitors, all that remains of this watchtower is the first of the two circular floors and the outer wall.
After this stop, which should not be missed, the route continues along a ridge towards the tip of Cap Gros, where we find the Norfeu viewing point, a splendid natural balcony over the Mediterranean Sea. From this point we can follow the small track that runs parallel to the coastline and, passing an old shepherd’s hut, reach Punta de la Trona.
After admiring the beauty of the place and taking lots of photos, turn back to the hut to take the track that runs along the northern side of the cape and, going up gently towards the ridge, we walk past the Norfeu Tower again back to the starting point of this beautiful walk through the land that, according to the legend, Orpheus fell in love with after being shipwrecked on its shores.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Total time (without stops): 1h40m
Total distance: 4’7 km
Total ascent: 275m
Difficulty: Easy. No technical difficulty
Season: All year
Material: Comfortable clothing and sports shoes (nothing special
needed)
Recommendations: In summer, we recommend you take your swimsuit and towel if you want to swim in one of the coves on the route (Montjoi, Canadell, Jóncols…)
Getting there by car: From Roses take the road from Montjoi to Cala Montjoi and, once at the end, take the dirt track towards Cala Jóncols. After 2’7 km along this track, we reach Coll de Canadell, where the tracks from Cala Jóncols and Cala Canadell cross; you can park your vehicle here.
More information at: http://www.rutespirineus.cat/rutes/cap-de-norfeu-montjoi-joncols-roses
