Cap Norfeu: A route of legend

The story tells that this beautiful place owes its name to Orpheus, a hero of Greek mythology who, with his sweet lyre, got the mountains near the coast to approach to listen to such beautiful music … A beautiful legend behind which he hides the birth of Cap Norfeu, located in the Natural Park of Cap de Creus and unbeatable scenery for hikers of all ages.

And that is what it is about; of knowing the Costa Brava in different ways, right? On this occasion we recommend a spectacular route to do as a family, in the area between the bays of Jóncols and Montjoi, to know the Cap Norfeu, which forms a narrow and elongated peninsula full of cliffs and natural caves that enters a couple of kilometers in the Mediterranean.

Along this route, we can delight in the great natural beauty characteristic of the area, such as the beautiful forms that sea and wind have sculpted in the rock over thousands of years or the vast diversity of flora and fauna and that make this one of the most environmentally valuable areas of Cap de Creus.

A route with children

This is an easy route, ideal to share with children from the age of five, as long as they are somewhat accustomed to walking, since the route, of something more than 4 kilometers, does not present great difficulties. It is advisable, yes, watch the little ones at some points of the road since we can find the occasional ravine on the sea or narrow steps between the rocks. The great beauty of the views and the natural environment invite you to stop and leisurely enjoy such a magnificent landscape, slowing down the approximate hour and a half that the excursion lasts if we decide to do it without stops.

The crossing between the tracks of Cala Jóncols and Cala Canadell is the starting point of this beautiful hike. From there we must follow the indications of itinerary 16 of the Cap de Creus Natural Park: Cap de Norfeu Nature Reserve. Although in the first part of the route we agree with the route that goes to Roses (GR-92), soon we reach an intersection that leads us to the Norfeu Tower, but not before gaining altitude on the road.

Norfeu Tower

Built around 1604 as part of the defensive framework of the Gulf of Roses against piracy, currently, and unfortunately for visitors, this watchtower only keeps the first of the two circular floors and the outer wall standing.

After this obligatory stop, we continue on the path to the tip of Cap Gros, where we find the Norfeu viewpoint, a splendid natural balcony over the Mediterranean Sea. From this point we can follow the small road that advances parallel to the coastline and, passing an old shepherd’s hut, reach the Punta de la Trona.

After recreating with the beauty of the place and taking the nth photos, we turn to the cabin to take now the path that the cape follows along its north side and, climbing gently up to the careening, we pass again in front of the Norfeu Tower to channel again the starting point of this beautiful route through the land that, according to legend, fell in love with Orpheus after shipwrecked off the coast.