Last summer, my friend Maureen told us about a hike her friend had done in Spain, called the Cami de Ronda. where we interested? Of course we are! So that Sunday afternoon I start doing some research, create a trip in Triphub and add some hikes and hotels to the trip board. We talk about it more during some of our weekly hikes. In November we decide on dates, and I start mapping out the routes and hotels along the way. A year after our first conversation, we are about to embark on hiking the Cami de Ronda: Toroella de Montgri to L’Escala. Day 3, August 24, 2025. 11 miles, 961 feet elevation
Toroella de Montgri – Torre Vella
We leave Moli del Mig at sunrise. Today will be hot again and we know it is another long hike. As breakfast was not till 8am, we miss it, but we plan to stop for food in Torre Vella, after the first climb. We walk through town of Toroella de Montgri and enter the trail. The trail leads us up part of the Montgri Massif. Once we reach a certain height, we have beautiful views over the Mediterranean and the Isles Medes, of the coast of ‘Estartit. I spent many summers and some winters here, so it is a nice trip through memory lane for me. We reach Torre Vella, but unfortunately, nothing is open. So instead of a real breakfast, we sit on the side of the road and eat some of our dried fruits and nuts.
Torre Vella – Roca Pardalera
The trail levels out and we enjoy a nice walk through the woods and hills of the Montgri Massif, above the Mediterranean. We pass several viewpoints: Cala Pedrosa and Cala Ferriol, but they are a 40 -60 minute detour. Continuing on our trail, we end up on a road that finally leads us to a coastal viewpoint at Roca Pardalera. And what a view we have here. We can see all across the bay of Roses, and see l’ Escala, Empuriabrava, Roses and Cap Norfeu. We also see our endpoint: Platja de Montgo. So close, yet so far.
Roca Padelera – Platja Montgo
It feels like the trail ends at this viewpoint. Liane and I suggest we turn back to the road. Google maps shows a road that leads to town. Maureen however is convinced there is a trail that continues from here. Why would there be trail markers if there is no trail? And indeed, after more searching, she finds the trail head. Hardly visible and marked only a by a small white and red sign, a narrow trail leads us down the cliff. By now, we are all starving, as we have walked for hours without a proper breakfast. Maureen claims “I could eat the hand of a snotty orphan”. Lack of having one of those, I settle for one of Maureen’s power bars instead as I am getting dizzy and need to fuel up. The beach of Montgo looks so close across the water. However, we are climbing up and down to cross the many little inlets to get there. The views are spectacular, but it feels the trail and inlets are never ending.
We finally round the last corner of the final inlet. We find the first restaurant that is open, Marokko, where cold waters, Fanta Limon and food wait for us. After lunch, we decide to walk towards the center of L’Ecala and find a taxi to drive us to our next hotel. After another 2 miles, we are done walking. Sitting on the sidewalk, I call multiple taxis. One is on vacation, the next one is in Girona, the next does not want to come to L’Escala. Finally, we ask the receptionist at a campsite if she can help. It takes her several tries, but eventually she finds one. It will be at least 20 minutes, so we order drinks. We have barely touched our drinks, when Adrian shows up. We are happy to leave our drinks and have him drive us to Hotel Can Pico, where a beautiful pool and a bottle of rose is waiting for us.
Tips
Most hotels don’t serve breakfast till 8 or 9. If you want to make an early start to beat the heat, make sure you stock up on food and water. Most restaurants don’t open till 1PM for lunch so plan the hike and lunch with that in mind. If you don’t want to carry all your luggage, Taxi en Roses has a great luggage service. You can book all segments online, where they verify your hotel is on their list. Taxis are not readily available everywhere. Best is to ask a campsite or hotel front desk to call one.
All photos are credit to Liane Aihara, Maureen OGorman and Mariel van Tatenhove
