Terrades: la Salut Sanctuaire and Santa Magdalena hermitage

Circular route around Terrades that allows us to reach the la Salut Sanctuary  and up to the top of the Santa Magdalena hermitage and contemplate splendid views of the reservoir, as well as part of the Eastern Pyrenees and the peaks of Alta Garrotxa, Les Salines and Les Alberes.

We begin the route at the Itinerànnia AE35 junction, at the end of Carrer de la Tramuntana in Terrades, where we can park the car.
We follow Carrer de la Tramuntana out of the village. We reach the main road and turn left, following the yellow markings and, on this stretch, also the white and red ones, as it coincides with the GR-2. After a few metres, the markings lead us to the right along a paved track that we gradually ascend. We pass by a few farms along the way, until the track bends to the right and we take the path to the left, which brings us to the Coll de la Salut, the Itinerànnia AE34 junction.
To reach the Sanctuary of Mare de Déu de la Salut, we continue along the paved track.

The sanctuary dates from the 17th century (1681). It was built over a former farmhouse and existing chapel, thanks to donations from devotees of the Virgin of the Empordà.

It is located on a densely wooded slope in the Santa Magdalena valley, at 400 m elevation. It is one of the most revered sanctuaries in the region. There is a restaurant and guesthouse on site.

To the left of the sanctuary, we find the AE33 Mare de Déu de la Salut junction, where we take the path toward Santa Magdalena, always following the yellow trail marks. The trail climbs along a narrow path for about 45 minutes, with a couple of wide switchbacks. It offers magnificent views of the Darnius-Boadella reservoir, which we can continue to enjoy upon arriving at the hermitage of Santa Magdalena.

The Santa Magdalena hermitage is documented in the 14th century under the name Santa Maria de Codó, the old toponym of the mountain. Later, in a circular by Bishop Andreu Bertran from 1425, it is mentioned that the hermitage was in ruins and needed repairs. The current building therefore dates from the late 15th century and was built over the remains of the older hermitage.

From this point, to return to Terrades, we leave the marked trail network and begin to descend along a fairly steep and rocky path, until we find a fork to the left. We follow a much flatter trail among large pine trees, until we reach the main road. We go right for a few metres, until we see another path on the opposite side of the road. We follow it, and it leads us back to the paved track where the route began.
We turn right and return to Terrades, to Carrer de la Tramuntana, where the route ends.