Stage 8: Route description

  • Even in somewhat gloomy weather, the Costa Brava still has an impressive beauty

From Palamós to S'Agaró

In Palamós, we head from our accommodation towards the sea: the GR-92 first runs along the seafront promenade, the Passeig del Mar. Palamós passes directly into the neighbouring town of Sant Antoni de Calonge; we follow the beach promenade and pass many hotels and flats. At the end of the promenade, the "Torre Valentina" tower can be seen from some distance. Now a somewhat wilder part of the coast begins again.

The path runs gently up and down directly by the sea: sometimes a little higher on the edge of the cliff, secured by a wooden railing, sometimes directly in the sand - which can be quite strenuous with luggage. This section of the GR-92 is very beautiful, but also quite popular for smaller excursions due to the surrounding holiday resorts.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to walk completely along the wild and natural coast: The beach town of Platja d'Aro with its many entertainment and shopping facilities takes up about 2 kilometres of the coastline. At the end of the beach promenade, we also have to walk around a large harbour basin.

But as soon as we reach the beach "Cala Sa Conca" after the harbour and thus the coast again, the Costa Brava suddenly shows its golden and distinguished side: magnificent villas, luxurious estates and 5-star hotels alternate. The hiking trail here is more like a dignified promenade with little walls, pavilions and open staircases.

We go around the gardens of the Hostal de La Gavina and meet the beach "Platja de Sant Pol" of S'Arago. Here, the GR-92 is laid out as a wooden path and leads through the "Parc de les Dunes".  The bay "Platja de Sant Pol" is an excellent place to spend the night for stage 8.The beach is right on the doorstep, the place is relatively small and well laid out, but the ambience and prices are rather upmarket. A wide range of other accommodation options can be found in the nearest coastal town of Sant Feliu de Guíxols, a larger, lively harbour town with a beautiful medieval centre.

Facts about stage 8

Altitude metres: 135 m ascent / 135 m descent
Route: 14.5 km
Duration: 4:30 h (without breaks)
Overnight stay: Hotels and guesthouses in S'Agaró / Sant Feliu de Guíxols

Route download - GR92 stage 8 (GPX file)

All other downloads can be found at Map material.

Picture gallery for stage 8


GR92 Stage 9: Map

Stage 9: Route description

  • The beach of Sant Pol near S'Agaró: here, too, there is no shortage of red and white signposting on the GR-92.

From S'Agaró to Tossa de Mar

Stage 9, at 23.5 kilometres, is the longest stage of the entire long-distance hike and also the one with the most metres in altitude (see Elevation profile). The second part of the route, however, leads over wide, easy-to-walk paths, so that one can make relatively quick progress there.

Those who did not spend the night in Sant Feliu de Guíxols after stage 8, but in the smaller S'Agaró, will first walk along the beautiful coastline before the path leads into the hilly hinterland behind Sant Feliu de Guíxols. Since there are no refreshment stops along the way, we advise you to get a picnic in Sant Feliu de Guíxols.

We leave the old town centre of Sant Feliu de Guíxols and pass the imposing façade of the Monestir de Sant Feliu de Guíxols. Then we pass a few small roundabouts and leave the town on a forest road towards the west.

On loamy ground and partly washed-out paths, the trail climbs steadily up to an altitude of almost 500 metres. We hike through sparse coniferous and cork oak forest. From time to time, the view opens up back to Sant Feliu de Guíxols and the sea. Now we continue on forest paths for several kilometres at altitude.

It only becomes spectacular again shortly before the descent: some boulders standing in the landscape offer themselves as a vantage point and for photos. The following descent is steep and not exactly easy on the knees (perhaps the only section of the entire Camí de Ronda where hiking poles would have been worthwhile).

Even from a distance, you can see the striking fortified towers of the old town hill of Tossa de Mar, the finishing point of this stage. Tossa de Mar is very well developed and popular with tourists, therefore there is a wide choice of accommodation.

Facts about stage 9

Altitude metres: 640 m ascent / 640 m descent
Route: 23.5 km
Duration: 7:45 h (without breaks)
Overnight stay: Hotels and guesthouses in Tossa de Mar

Route download - GR92 stage 9 (GPX file)

All other downloads can be found at Map material.

Picture gallery for stage 9


Recommended hotels and guesthouses

GR92 Stage 10: Map

Stage 10: Route description

  • Above the old town of Tossa de Mar

From Tossa de Mar to Lloret de Mar

We can take a relaxed approach to the final stage of our hike: It is only a half-day hike to Lloret de Mar.

Those who don't want to spend the night in Lloret, which is known as a party town, but want to continue directly by bus to Barcelona,  should already buy a bus ticket in Tossa de Mar for the buses of the Moventis/Sarfa company, which require reservations. (Tickets at the bus station in Tossa de Marthe starting point of our stage).

The first part of today's hike takes us up to a viewing platform with a view back to Tossa de Mar. Shortly afterwards, there are signs indicating the end of the Camí de Ronda. This does not bother us: we follow the GR-92, which branches off to the right here. This leads us briefly to the coastal road and then in a curve around a gated holiday home settlement down to the beach of Canyelles. In the marina there is a nice little restaurant with seating directly on the quay wall.

From here, we climb stairs and pass through more holiday home settlements until we descend a steep serpentine staircase to the sea. There we walk along a beautiful path with stone walls in the direction of Lloret de Mar, from where we are met by more and more short excursionists. After a very picturesque stretch of coast with crystal-clear water, it is no longer possible to ignore the dense development of Lloret de Mar after a short tunnel.

A few hundred metres from the beach, in front of the Hotel Hawai, is the first bus stop in the direction of Barcelona(see also Bus connection to Barcelona).

Facts about stage 10

Altitude metres: 380 m ascent / 360 m descent
Route: 13.0 km
Duration: 4:00 h (without breaks)
Overnight stay: Hotels and guesthouses in Barcelona

Route download - GR92 stage 10 (GPX file)

All other downloads can be found at Map material.

Overnight stay in Lloret de Mar

We didn't stay overnight in Lloret de Mar ourselves, but went straight on to Barcelona. However, there is a reader's tip from Stefan for an overnight stay in Lloret de Mar: The 15th Boutique Hotel is supposed to be very good (4-star, link: 15th Boutique Hotel).

Picture gallery for stage 10