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Via ferrata Cala del Molí, Sant-Feliu de Guixols

Via ferrata

Publié le 25 October 2018 |

The Cala del Molí route, recently re-equipped and re-opened, offers an original itinerary above the Mediterranean, overlooking pretty little coves, still unspoilt, in the warm colors of Indian summer. Not very difficult and not very aerial, there are nevertheless several slightly overhanging passages that require a more sustained effort. The equipment is excellent, though perhaps too much so, with more rungs than necessary in places, although the rock itself offers plenty of hand and foot holds. It's a great atmosphere, even if the route goes back and forth in a rather concentrated space. Best done outside weekends, to avoid overcrowding.

Technical summary

■ S tarting point: Sant-Feliu de Guixols, Catalunya, Spain
■ Course type: via ferrata above the sea
■ Direction: south-east
■ Fitted length: 580 m
■ Vertical rise: +20 m
■ Estimated total time: 1h30 to 2h
■ Min and max altitude: 0 m / 20 m
■ Equipment in place: suspension bridges, rungs, abseiling points
■ Equipment required: standard equipment, headlamp if necessary

Difficulty: K3 or AD, with several slightly overhanging sections, fairly sustained but not too long. An escape route halfway along the route.

Access to the place

On the AP7 freeway between Barcelona and Girona, take exit 9A for Sant Feliu de Guixols. Once there, cross the town towards the port and park nearby.

Itinerary description

Hiking to the start 20'

Time depends on where you park, about 20′ if you're coming from the center. Join the marina and walk along it in a north-easterly direction. At the end, you'll find the GR marking, which you follow to reach the start of the ferrata under the miradors trail.

Course 1h30 à 2h

Part 1

The route descends to reach the water's edge and begins the tour of the rocky outcrops by crossing small bridges, the first made of wood, then of suspended iron. Lots of rungs and no particular difficulty apart from 2 or 3 more technical or overhanging steps. The tour loops back to almost where you started at water level. After another traverse, we pass a pretty vertical slab (see presentation photo) to reach a suspension bridge (the longest) and change sides.

Part 2

More difficult, with more technical descents and aerial, overhanging passages. Here too, we bypass a rocky overhang to return to a narrow recess (Es Fisjorn), then continue on a second overhang which ends with a sustained, aerial, overhanging pitch to finish on the ridge. From here, we return to our starting point. More descents, traverses and small bridges to negotiate.

Back

Follow the path in the opposite direction, or continue on the GR to reach San Pol beach via the cliffs and coves. From here, to complete the loop, you can return via the voie verte, an old railroad line that runs inland to the town center.