Around the dominions of Sant Pere de Rodes. Route 2 Alt Empordà

Park in the car park and go up the steps towards the Hermitage of St. Helena. When you reach Santa Helena you will see the AE133 – Santa Helena intersection, from here, follow the sign that indicates Palau-saverdera 1h15'. This is the path that winds upwards so that as you ascend you have the rope railing on the right. Once you get to the path on the top, follow on to the end of the path that turns right and continues alongside the mountain and then carry on in the direction of Mas Ventós. At Mas Ventós you will come to the AE153 intersection, from where you must continue in the direction that indicates Palu-saverdera 55': it is a path that descends gently, providing great views of the Bay of Roses. During the descent you will see a turning on the right. If you take this, after about 20 metres you will see the “Muntanya d'en Caselles” dolmen. Next go back along the same path and go once again along the path of the Devout, continues downwards between terraces. In some sections you can still see dry stone walls and the occasional traditional shack. You then come to one end of the village which you will go through until you get to the main square (plaça Major); then head towards the street Carrer de Sant Onofre, which you cross and then go straight along the street Carrer Roses and then continue on until Carrer Balmes, from where you leave the village passing through the Bellavista housing development and on to Roses. This part, now very flat, consists of a small track that runs through olive groves until it reaches the Mas Fumats housing development. From here, take the paved street and walk up to the top of the housing development, from where you then start to go down the markedly steep steets until you come to a path on the left, which will take you to the main road which you must cross to reach the AE150-CanPalou intersection.

Once you have reached the intersection of Can Palou, take the direction that indicates Selva de Mar 2h05: from here it takes 3h35' to get back to Sant Pere de Rodes.

Then you go along a very nice path hath runs parallel to the road until you cross it, after about 600 metres. The path runs between dry stone walls. Next you go past a tower known as the Torreta or Torre del Moro, which dates back to the 16th-17th centuries. On the other side of the road the path zig.zags upwards until you come to Sant Genís ridge. Here there are many terraces built with dry stone walls, although in some of the hard to reach places their conservation status is poor.

Once you have got to the top of Sant Genís ridge, you start going downhill in the direction of La Selva de Mar along a slightly wider track. Next go over the cattle crossing and continue along the wide track in the direction of Mas Estela. When you approach Mas Estela, you will see the well cared for organic vineyards. Here you must cross over two fences that run alongside the fields. The path then continues along next to a stream, creating a very pleasant stretch of this route.

Once you see the entrance to Mas Estela, the track is paved until it reaches the little known town of La Selva de mar, and then continues on towards Sant Pere de Rodes. You do not need to enter the village. Next you come to the AE135 intersection: 1h35' from Sant Pere de Rodes, at which point you crossing the river to the other side, then climb up the road that will take you back to Sant Pere de Rodes, although it's worth taking a stroll around the narrow streets of this village.

Once you have crossed the bridge, turn left and start to climb the steps that wind their way up the mountain towards the monastery. Although the path makes small detours, it is quite steep, rugged and very stony. The climb is long but not to be missed.

Once you get tot the top, the particular view you have of the monastery is not very well known, as here you are on the other side of the main entrance. Continuing along the paved path you come to the AE134 junction. Following the Itinerànnia path that indicates the way to Vall de Santa Creu via Santa Helena, next head towards Santa Helena, where you then come back to the intersection AE133 where you started the route. This time, follow the direction of the Vall de Santa Creu via the Perer pass and then go up the steps that take you back to the car park.