Costa Brava, Spain’s rugged coast, takes up the northern part of Catalonia’s coastline as it heads up to the South of France. It’s indeed rugged but beautiful, full of hidden beaches, caves, and quaint towns. This area is a paradise for the outdoorsy, and as such it makes Costa Brava hiking a must.
There’s plenty of day hikes in Costa Brava for both beginners and more advanced hikers alike. Plus, you can turn these day hikes into several days or weeks or hiking. Once you’re tired, hike through to the next town, check into a hotel, and set off again the next day as you make your way up or down the coast. So, what are the some of the can’t-miss hikes in Costa Brava?
Blanes to Tossa de Mar ~ 18 miles
This gorgeous hike will initially navigate you out of the hills of Blanes through the rocky coast. As you make your way through to Tossa, you’ll stumble upon exquisite views of the turquoise-colored Mediterranean Sea, with water so clear you can see to the bottom of the sea, complemented by the rugged backdrop of Costa Brava. You’ll pass a lovely nudist beach called Cala sa Boadella and you’ll discover several coves along the way, such as Cala Morisca.
We mainly referred to Wikiloc to figure out where the trails began. Check out the map here for Blanes to Tossa de Mar. Throughout the entire trail, you’ll follow the red and white trail markings of the GR-92.
I highly recommend this trail. It’s more difficult than some of the other hikes mentioned due to its length and climbing (there’s a lot of stairs and high view points), but it’s rewarding and a lot of fun to hike. For more information about this hike, check out my detailed article here.
Sant Feliu de Guíxols to Palamós ~ 12 miles
This is another beautiful hike that hugs the coast tightly. You’ll hike along clifftop trails boasting gorgeous panoramic views. You’ll also pass through tiny tunnels and ruins, walk through several quaint beaches, and see a couple of Catalan villages along the way.
It’s a beautiful, easy-going hike, though walking through many sandy beaches can becoming tiring at times. However, you can always take a quick dip in the water or stop and watch the waves.
Here’s a map of the trail we followed Sant Feliu de Guíxols to Palamós. Once again, you’ll be following the GR-92 markings.
Palamós to Llafranc ~ 11 miles
Calling all cacti lovers, this hike is for you. This nice, fairly easy hike passes by many, many, cacti from start to finish. Most are danging off the cliffs of the coast, so keep an out eye for them.
Follow the GR-92 markings out of Palamós and pass through a small dirt trail and find 360 degree views of cacti. As you continue, you’ll wander past a couple of small, colorful fishing villages and a large beach called Platja de La Fosca. You’ll keep going until you reach Platja de Castell where the GR-92 will then take you through a forest route until deposit out into a small town. You’ll then head towards Platja Cala El Golfet, a gorgeous secluded beach. Take pit stop there and enjoy its beauty. Then, head on towards the adorable seaside town Calella de Palafrugell until you reach Llafranc, which is just next door.
Here’s the general trail map for Palamós to Llafranc.
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Enjoy hiking Costa Brava! What’s your favorite hike?
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