Cap de Creus Natural Park

The Cap de Creus area was declared natural reserve in May 1998. The reserve includes areas of both the sea and land. It’s a rugged coast, composed mainly of slate and constantly interrupted by small bays. For those geology experts, it is a mountain mass set upon granitic and schistose terrain from the Ordovician (Paleozoic) era. It was declared a nature park because of its highly valuable fauna and flora, with some very special and unique species, and because of its rich waters with low level of pollution. It also has an outstanding cultural heritage, with the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes as the “jewel in the crown” and many other interesting spots, such as archaeological sites as well as the legacy of Salvador Dalí.

It also stands out because of its extraordinary scenic value and the exceptional beauty of the coastal areas in contrast with the inland landscape. It is an important nature reserve with a unique geological configuration, with structures and formations that make it unique spot in the world. It is also the first mixed sea/land nature park in Catalonia. There is a lot of information (in Spanish) about the park on the Generalitat de Catalunya website.

And if all the above wasn’t enough, Cap de Creus is the largest uninhabited area of the whole Spanish Mediterranean coast. There’s no better place to enjoy trails along the coast than Cap de Creus.

Trail Brava day by day plan

D 1. Roses – Cadaqués. Distance: 30Km Estimated tour time: 3 hours Altitude profile

We’ll drive from the meeting point to the start of the tour in Roses. You’ll climb up to 200m to enjoy the fantastic view of the bay and then go down to the coastline. Once there, you will run along the cliffs of the ‘Camino de Ronda’ to get to Cala Montjoi, where you’ll have a break right next to the famous restaurant El Bulli. Then time to move on through coastline trails and sandy beaches to arrive to Cadaqués. Once there, there will be time to shower, relax and visit the village before having a delicious dinner.

D 2. Cadaqués – Llançà. Distance: 36Km Estimated tour time: 5 hours Altitude profile

You’ll wake up before the break of the day, have a quick breakfast and get your stuff ready to go to Cap de Creus lighthouse. A one-hour technical run to see dawn at the easternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula. You’ll have a picnic and then head North. After visiting sandy beaches, Romanesque churches and other hidden treasures of Cap de Creus Nature Park you’ll climb up the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes. A tough climb to a sweet viewpoint and then back to the sea and to Llançà.

D 3. Llançà – Portbou. Distance: 32Km Estimated tour time: 4 hours Altitude profile

The last day will also be a tough one: running northbound, you’ll go inland to climb the Puig d’Esquers and then you’ll keep running through single-track until we reach the border with France. A few moments to enjoy the scenery and then back to the sea following the Pyrenees trails which divide both countries until you reach Portbou, the last stop.

* Timings are approximate as weather, group expertise or route changes might increase or decrease them.

• How to get to the meeting point
• The group
• Logistics
• Lodging
• Meals
• Luggage

How to get to the meeting point

The meeting point for all the participants will be in Figueres; specifically at the Plaza del Sol at 08:30AM of the start day. We will then go to the starting point of the tour in our vehicle.

To get to Figueres you have different options:

By train: the train station in Figueres is about a 15min walk from the meeting point. Just let us know you’ve arrived and we’ll pick you up or, if you prefer, here are the directions to get there on foot.

By bus: the bus station in Figueres is at the same square at the train station. Just let us know you’ve arrived and we’ll pick you up or, if you prefer, here are the directions to get there on foot.

By car: junction 4 of the AP-7 motorway will take you just 5km away from Figueres. If you prefer not to use a toll route, the N-IIa road crosses the city right next to the meeting point.

By plane: the two nearest airports are Girona and Perpignan, in France. If you fly to either of those airports let us know in advance so we can pick you up and then drop you off on the last day.

The group

The group will have between 5 and 12 runners and, as this is a self-guided tour, you will be provided with a map of the area and a roadbook so you can follow the right trails. As there will be no guide with the group, you will have the responsibility to act with respect and with common sense.

Logistics

Everyday, while the group is running, we’ll take care of carrying your stuff to the next hotel or rural cottage. Thus, when the tour reaches its daily end, the check-in will have already been done for you and your luggage will be ready for you so you can relax and enjoy a refreshing shower.

Accommodation

Lodging for the three nights will be in ** and *** hotels in Cadaqués, El Port de la Selva and Llançà. Depending on the features of each accommodation establishment (which will vary based on the season and availability) the type of stay will be half board or room only. In the latter situation, both breakfast and dinner will be in local restaurants.

Lodging will be based on double occupancy rooms. If you’d like to stay in a single room, you can do so by adding a small fee to the tour price.

Meals

Every night we’ll have dinner together either at the hotel or at a local restaurant. Breakfast will work the same way while for lunch we’ll have a (daily) prepared pic-nic which we’ll carry in our backpacks and we’ll eat on-the-go.

If you have any special dietary requirement (if you are vegetarian, for example) or you have any allergies, let us know beforehand so we can adapt your meals according to your needs.

Luggage

Your belongings will be distributed between what you’ll carry while you’re running and what will be carried by our service vehicle.

Items while running:

Mandatory:

• Technical t-shirt – Base Layer
• Polar fleece – Middle layer
• Soft shell (Gore-Tex, Windstopper or similar) – Top layer
• Running socks
• Shorts or running tights (long/short depending on the season and personal preferences)
• (Broken in) Trail running shoes
• Survival blanket
• Hydration backpack (up to 2 liters)
• Water bottles (if not using backpack)
• Cel lphone
• Headlamp

Optional:

• Sunglasses
• Summer/winter hat
• Gloves
• Trekking poles
• A Buff or similar
• Energy bars, gel, etc

Other recommended baggage:

• Large backpack or suitcase (80-100 liter)
• Comfortable clothing to wear after running
• Flip-flops or slippers
• Toilet bag
• First-aid kit (painkiller, strips, anti-inflammatory,etc)
• Sunscreen
• Replacement laces
• Swiss knife