Itinerary of the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes in the Santa Creu valley. Route 1 Alt Empordà

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  • Modality
    • By foot
  • Region
    • Alt Empordà
  • Towns
    • Port de la Selva, El
    • Vilajuïga
  • Time
    • Less than 3 hours
  • Difficulty
    • Medium
  • Estimated duration
    • 2h 27min
  • Distance
    • 6,45 km
  • Hide elevation maximum
    • 540 m
  • Hide elevation minimum
    • 166 m
  • Ascent
    • 396 m
  • Descent
    • 396 m

This route can be followed with the yellow Itinerànnia markings and the indicators of the basic network and is also signposted as route 10 of the Cap de Creus Natural Park.

The itinerary begins at the Romanesque monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, situated on the northern side of the Serra de Verdera mountain range, with spectacular views of the Cap de Creus Nature Reserve. Directly in front of the park information point you will see the AE134 signpost. Head in the direction of Santa Creu Valley and then carry on down towards the Monjos natural spring, surrounded by plane trees. Continue along this path and then cross the main road and follow the yellow “Itinerànnia” markers downhill. Next you cross several streams, which may be dried up or not, depending on the time of year, and continue until you come to the small village inSanta Creu valley. Then cross the bridge over the stream, from where you can see the Garlapa natural spring. This area provides good shade under the plane trees, making it ideal for a short break. You can also visit the Church of Sant Fruitós, which dates back to the 17th century.

Go straight along the road on until you see the AE132 sign post, from which point you should start going up the street in the direction of Sant Pere de Rodes along the Perer ridge. Onceyou have left the village, carry on upwards along an old cattle track, which will take you to Perer ridge, passing alongside dry stone troughs and corrals. The best conserved of these is the Marcelet corral, an enclosure and two circular huts that would have served as shelter for shepherds and flocks.

When you reach Perer ridge you can enjoy the magnificent view across the Cap de Creus nature reserve. The AE130 – Coll del Perer signpost indicats the way to Sant Pere de Rodes. Climb up the path on the left where it links up with the path thath comes up from Llançà and then heads towards the monastery. After 15 minutes, at the end of the climb, you must go up a footpath, following the yellow markers that will take you towards Sant Pere, passing La Pallera dolmen and farm house. You then come to the main road, from where you continue uphill and then go past the car park on the right until you come to some stone steps. Go up theses and then take the track towards the left until you come to the small village of Santa Creu de Rodes and then the Church of Santa Helena. Next, following the directions on the AE133 – Santa Helena signpost, go towards the right and then after retracing your steps back to the car park and the small path with a marvellous view across the bay of Port de la Selva and the coast, you will arrive once again at the monastery.