This is a spectacularly beautiful linear costal walk of 17Km starting from L'Ametlla de Mar RENFE station and ending at l'Ampolla-El Perella-Deltebre RENFE Station on the regional train network, south of Tarragona. The train trip takes approx. 2 hours from Barcelona.
The route passes via many small coves and beaches that are unspoilt by human activities, following the GR92 Mediterranean coastal trail which is marked periodically by white and red paint stripes on the tree trunks, rocks and in the towns. Keep an eye out for these.
After exiting L'Ametlla de Mar Renfe station, take carrer Pau Cassals towards the coast and arriving in Plaça de Joan Miró. Here you will find multiple sea front bars for a coffee before starting the hike.
Follow the road south around the marina until carrer Meditererrani crosses with Calle Cala pepo. Take the path towards Cala pepo beach and follow it along the coastline around the back of the houses. This path passes the small beaches of Cala Bon Caponet and Cala Bon Capo passing a roman embarcation point cut into the rocks.
Shortly you will arrive at Port de l'Estany which is an old natural port where fishermen moored their boats until, in the twenties, one was built in the centre of L'Ametlla de Mar. Follow the path down the side of the port where you will see old steel eyelets for mooring boats. continue past the stone house covered in flowers and continue until until the rocks in port that serve as a crossing point. Continue across the port river and walk up the other side of Port de l'Estany and cross Platja De l'Estany beach following the road.
When the road turns inland, continue straight along a coastal path passing some fortifications hidden in the trees until getting to Cala Port Olivet beach. This is one of several places I recommend to swim because of the natural beauty of the cove. When leaving the beach continue along the path parallel to the coastline.
At Cala Santes Creus you will find a natural beach cove with a lagoon behind it and a headland. This beach is also another great place to swim and has some shallow sea caves to the south of the cove. When finished here, follow the path around to the tip of the headland to enjoy spectacular views of Platja de la Llenya.
The path continues parallel to the coast along the top of some sea cliffs and through some pine forests until arriving at a stony beach called Platja de l'Estany Podrit. Leave this beach following an ascending path in pine forest and continue along the trail of rocky shoreline paths.
The trail will give views of Platja de L'Illot, a small rock formation as an island connected to the coastline by sandy secret beaches that are accessible via descending paths. The trail continues along the coastline until Platja de l'Aliga. I don't recommend swimming here because this cove is usually full of noisy jet ski's.
Leave this beach by following the road up and picking up the Gr-92 coastal trail again back into the pine forest and arriving at Platja de Cala Moros. This is a nice plce to swim. The trial continues along the coast via rocky sea clifs and more small coves such as Platja de Racó de Garretes, Platja de la Dolç del Me and Platja Santa Llúcia.
at Morro de Gos beach there is a chiringito beach bar here for drinks and a swim before the final leg of the route.
Keep following the coastal trail around Mirador Cap Roig headland and onto Platja De Cap Roig. use the road behind this beach to ascend onto the trail of the punta de Pinyana headland passing a cliff top hotel and following the coastal trail back into light vegetation of the natural coastline.
Cross Platja Cala Maria beach and continue along the trail to Platja del Baconé then Playa de Capellans and Platja de les Avellanes which is the last beach on this route. Follow the road into town and around the Marina. Access to the train station is in Carrer Bassa de Fornós and you will see a terrace bar by the railway bridge over the road.
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Allow 6-9 hours to complete the route depending on how much time is spent swimming. Note that in between the two towns there is little to no civilisation and all the beaches are without lifeguards nor beach bars so take at least 3 litres of water per person and be vigilant when swimming.
In general Dogs are not permitted on beaches in the summer season between 1st June to the last Sunday in September, except in designated dog zones. This route involves walking along beaches, none of which are designated dog zones so complete the route with your dog outside of the summer season.
Half way along the route is a beach where dogs are permitted in the summer. Playa de Bon Caponet is a 50m wide beach where you can swim with your dog in the summer.
This route is a combination of sandy beaches and rocky paths through pine forests so in the spring, summer or early autumn you may see poisonous Pine Processionary Caterpillars. The route will not present any difficulties for your dog.
This route involves walking along beaches and close to the shore so I put things that I want to remain dry inside waterproof bag inside my rucksack. I keep my phone inside an IPX8 case so I can take photos from the sea.
Take 2 - 3 litres of water.
Address: Estacio de RENFE, Ametlla de Mar. 43860
The route starts at L'Ametella de Mar on the R16 Renfe REGIOANAL line and ends at La Ampolla-Perello-Deltaebre on the same train line.
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A linear coastal walk south of Tarragona from via remote beaches and bays of Ribes Altes, Bon Capo, Estany port, Les Santes Creus, L'Estany podrit and Cala Moros.
Distance: 17.00 Km
Difficulty: Moderate
Return Travel Fare: €22.50
Transport Network: Regional
