Garriga d'Empordà hike: Vilanant

The area called La Garriga is a little known area where the Empordà meets the mountains. The rolling terrain is relatively flat, with only small changes in elevation. The approximately 1,245-hectare plain

  • Modality
    • By foot
  • Region
    • Alt Empordà
  • Towns
    • Vilanant
  • Time
    • Between 3 and 4 hours
  • Difficulty
    • Medium
  • Estimated duration
    • 3h10min
  • Distance
    • 11,2 Km
  • Hide elevation maximum
    • 169m
  • Hide elevation minimum
    • 55m
  • Ascent
    • 160m
  • Descent
    • 160m
  • Thematic
    • Garriga d'Empordà

The area called La Garriga is a little known area where the Empordà meets the mountains. The rolling terrain is relatively flat, with only small changes in elevation. The approximately 1,245-hectare plain is divided into the municipalities of Llers, Avinyonet de Puigventós, Vilanant and a small section of Vilafant.

This is a typical Mediterranean stretch of the hike, with exceptional dry stone constructions that include terraces, walls, ditches and plots. Built and used by the region’s ancient inhabitants, their condition is precarious and special care must be taken to preserve (and restore) these architectural treasures.

Start the hike in Plaza Mayor. Walk to Carrer del Bosc, turn left and then turn right after a few meters onto Carrer de Llers. Reach the road that intersects with the AE194 Vilanant and continue towards Llers. Take the Camí de Llers a Vilanant after about a kilometer and a half, we will find the crossing VN1 Riera de Rissec. If you want to do a short route, it is possible to start here and go around the huts. We will head towards the huts in the Coma Forcada area, there we will find a beautiful viewpoint on the Empordà plain and the huts of Pep de la Teresa, Puig's hut, Selvatà's and Cabanyó's hut. Always following the yellow signs we will continue towards Olivet d'en Vicenç, we will get there after about 400 meters and find the AE192 l'Olivet d'en Vicenç junction. We will go to Avinyonet de Puigventós per Can Corella and La Devesa d'en Comelles. This section coincides with the Garriga route of Llers. We will cross the torrent of Coma Forcada and always following the yellow marks we will go towards Devesa d'en Falgarona, we will follow this section for a little less than 3 kilometers. About 200 meters before reaching the Llers road, we find the AP1 Devesa d'en Comelles crossing, and we go towards Avinyonet de Puigventós, this section also coincides with the Garriga route of Avinyonet de Puigventós. The road will take us to Avinyonet and to Can Comelles, 700 meters beyond. Leave the road and follow a path to the left. Turn right after a few meters and follow the path, which turns back to the left again. Walk for about 400 meters until the path ends in a trail. Take the trail to the right to the Horts d'en Rissec. Go back to the village along Carrer de Llers to Plaça Pous i Pagès; at the end of the street is the intersection with the AE197 Avinyonet de Puigventós. Head in the direction of Vilanant, walk along Carrer del Fossos and pass by Avinyonet castle. Follow the yellow trail markers to the Hortes del Manol and the junction with the AE198. Continue walking in the direction of Vilanant, parallel to the gardens, until the path bears to the left. Find and take the Camí de Taravaus until it crosses the river; after the river, turn left onto the Camí de Can Trascó. At the next junction, AE195 El Manol, continue to Vilanant: the village’s Plaza Mayor (and the start of the hike) is another 10 minute walk away.