The 10 coolest routes to walk with your dog in the province of Girona
From Blanes to Cadaqués: a south-to-north route with the trails no one tells you about
Everyone repeats the same four dog-friendly routes in Girona: the entire Camí de Ronda, La Fageda d’en Jordà, the loop around Lake Banyoles, the Santa Margarida volcano… Lovely, sure, but the whole tourism industry has been writing about them for ten years. Here’s something different: ten real routes, from south to north, just like the song goes — from Blanes to Cadaqués — with practical details so you and your dog can leave home knowing exactly what to expect.
Note: distances from Mas Torrencito (Parets d’Empordà) are approximate, by road. Always check with Google Maps before finalising your itinerary, as it can vary depending on the exact access route.
1. Secrets of the Cadiretes Massif (Tossa de Mar – Llagostera)
📍 From Mas Torrencito: ~35 km (about 40 min by car)
🥾 Difficulty: Medium
🚶 Route distance: ~7-8 km loop
⛰️ Elevation gain: Moderate, with some rocky climbing sections
No postcard-style Camí de Ronda here. This route heads into the interior of the massif, among cork oaks and pines, up to megalithic monuments hidden in the forest: the Menhir de Llach, the Pedra sobre Altra paradolmen, and highlights like the Plaça d’Armes de Montllor with views over Tossa and the Mediterranean. Few people, plenty of Neolithic history.
- 💧 Swim: no water along the route, dry forest — bring plenty of water for the dog.
- 🍽️ Eat: seafront terraces in Tossa de Mar. In high season, call ahead to confirm whether the terrace is municipal or private (dog policies differ).
2. Camí dels Dolmens de Romanyà de la Selva (Les Gavarres)
📍 From Mas Torrencito: ~30 km (about 35 min by car)
🥾 Difficulty: Easy-Medium
🚶 Route distance: ~6-7 km loop
⛰️ Elevation gain: Gentle
The megalithic necropolis of Les Gavarres, with the Cova d’en Daina as the jewel of the route. Holm oak forest, constant shade, ideal for the hottest days.
- 💧 Swim: no water along the route.
- 🍽️ Eat: Can Roquet, on Plaça de l’Església in Romanyà de la Selva. A 17th-century farmhouse in an idyllic mountain village, with a very relaxing terrace. Confirm they allow dogs on the terrace before you go — not 100% verified.
3. Sant Aniol d’Aguja – Gorg Blau (Alta Garrotxa)
📍 From Mas Torrencito: ~45 km (about 55 min by car)
🥾 Difficulty: High (long, demanding route)
🚶 Route distance: ~15 km, about 4h30
⛰️ Elevation gain: Significant, terrain of forest, rock and pools
The highlight of the list for summer. The trail follows the riverbed up to the Sant Aniol d’Aguja hermitage, and from there to the Gorg Blau, a pool of intensely blue water. The more energetic can continue to the Salt del Brull, a smaller waterfall.
- 💧 Swim: the best on the list for summer. Gorg Blau and Salt del Brull, crystal-clear water.
- 🍽️ Eat: few options along the trail — better to bring a picnic, and stop to eat on the way back in Sadernes or Montagut.
4. Puig de Bassegoda + Refugi de Talaixà (Garrotxa d’Amunt)
📍 From Mas Torrencito: ~55 km (about 1h by car)
🥾 Difficulty: High
🚶 Route distance: variable depending on access, full mountain day
⛰️ Elevation gain: Steep, high-mountain terrain
The Garrotxa almost nobody sets foot in: Moixer beech forests, views of the Canigó, the border with the Empordà. Great for dogs in good physical shape — not a route for a puppy or a senior.
- 💧 Swim: mountain streams with no known fixed pool, more for cooling paws than for swimming.
- 🍽️ Eat: Can Mach, in Maçanet de Cabrenys. A family-run mountain restaurant serving traditional grilled Catalan cuisine.
5. Castell de Requesens and its dolmens (Cantallops)
📍 From Mas Torrencito: ~45 km (about 50 min by car)
🥾 Difficulty: Medium
🚶 Route distance: ~10-12 km loop
⛰️ Elevation gain: Moderate
A fairy-tale castle among beech forests and century-old cedars, with dolmens along the way. One of the most beautiful spots in the Alt Empordà, and one of the least photographed.
- 💧 Swim: a small reservoir along the way at Requesens, more for cooling off than for proper swimming.
- 🍽️ Eat: La Cantina de Requesens, right at the foot of the castle. Literally designed for a stop after (or before) the hike: salads, cured meats, grilled meats with allioli.
6. Sant Quirze de Colera via the Ridge and Carenes (Rabós d’Empordà)
📍 From Mas Torrencito: ~35 km (about 40 min by car)
🥾 Difficulty: High
🚶 Route distance: ~6.4 km loop
⛰️ Elevation gain: Steep in the final stretch, with a chain-assisted scramble
A 10th-century Benedictine monastery as the starting point, a demanding ridge climb with a section where you need to use your hands, views over the Empordà plain and the sea. A route with character, lightly trafficked.
- 💧 Swim: no water at all along the ridge section — carry plenty for the dog, it’s a tough, sun-exposed stretch.
- 🍽️ Eat: scarce, seasonal options in Sant Quirze de Colera itself or Rabós — check on site.
7. Puig Neulós
📍 From Mas Torrencito: ~50 km (about 55 min by car)
🥾 Difficulty: High
🚶 Route distance: variable depending on access, full mountain day
⛰️ Elevation gain: Steep
The roof of the Alt Empordà, on the border with France. Nobody climbs up here on a Costa Brava holiday, and the views over the Canigó and the whole Empordà plain are stunning.
- 💧 Swim: none, a dry mountain ridge.
- 🍽️ Eat: La Jonquera has roadside options, few with any charm — better to bring a picnic with a view.
8. The lesser-seen corners of the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà (Estany de Vilaüt / Closa dels Ollers)
📍 From Mas Torrencito: ~20 km (about 25 min by car)
🥾 Difficulty: Easy
🚶 Route distance: ~5-6 km
⛰️ Elevation gain: None, flat
The part of the natural park almost nobody visits, away from the main tourist trail. Lots of birdlife, lots of new smells for the dog, total tranquillity.
- 💧 Swim: ⚠️ careful, protected wetland area — dogs are not allowed to swim here, to protect the wildlife. We save the swim for afterwards, at the Rubina dog beach (Castelló d’Empúries).
- 🍽️ Eat: rural terraces in Castelló d’Empúries and Sant Pere Pescador, such as Mas Lazuli (Pau) or the options in L’Armentera.
9. Cap de Creus coves off the lighthouse circuit (Cala Jonquet, Cala Tavallera, Cala Prona)
📍 From Mas Torrencito: ~45 km (about 50 min by car)
🥾 Difficulty: Medium
🚶 Route distance: ~8-10 km depending on which coves you combine
⛰️ Elevation gain: Moderate, uneven coastal terrain
Wild cove-hopping, avoiding the crowds on the lighthouse trail. Crystal-clear water and far more peace and quiet than the rest of the Cap de Creus in August.
- 💧 Swim: the best on the whole list for summer — quiet coves, crystal-clear water.
- 🍽️ Eat: nothing along the route, a protected area with no beach bars — picnic is a must.
10. Cadaqués – Port Lligat / Cala Nans
📍 From Mas Torrencito: ~50 km (about 55 min by car)
🥾 Difficulty: Easy-Medium
🚶 Route distance: ~5-6 km
⛰️ Elevation gain: Gentle
The closing route, just as the song asks. A whitewashed village, Dalí’s house in the background, free-access coves before you reach the town centre.
- 💧 Swim: small, free-access coves in Port Lligat.
- 🍽️ Eat: Es Restaurant de Port-Lligat, next to the Dalí House-Museum. A table on the balcony with bay views that allows pets — the perfect closing stop for the post’s final photo.
A final note
All of these routes can be combined with a stay at Mas Torrencito as your base — 20 years as one of Spain’s first genuinely pet-friendly rural guesthouses have taught us that a tired, well-hydrated dog is a happy dog. Before heading out, always check the dog-access rules for each protected natural area (some require a lead at all times), and carry plenty of water on the mountain routes where there are no fountains.
FAQs
Do I need to keep my dog on a lead in the natural parks?
It depends on the area. La Albera, Cap de Creus and Les Gavarres usually allow dogs off-lead if they’re well behaved, but on certain stretches (near livestock, nesting areas, or when you cross paths with other hikers) it’s compulsory. Check the relevant natural park’s website before you go, as rules change by season.
What should I always bring on a dog route in Girona?
Plenty of water for both of you (plan for double what you’d carry alone), a collapsible bowl, snacks or kibble if the route runs over 2-3 hours, poop bags, a basic first-aid kit (bandage, tick tweezers, saline solution for the eyes), and a long lead even if your dog is off-lead for most of the walk — some stretches of these routes require one by natural-area regulation.
What’s the best time to head out in summer?
Early morning, before 9am, or at dusk. In peak August, many of these routes (Bassegoda, Neulós, the Albera ridges) have no shade at all for several kilometres, and the rocky ground can burn paws from mid-morning onward.
Is there mobile coverage on all the routes?
No. In Alta Garrotxa, Bassegoda and much of the Albera, coverage is patchy or non-existent. Download the offline track (Wikiloc lets you save maps without a connection) before leaving home.
Are these routes suitable for puppies or older dogs?
The easy ones (Romanyà de la Selva, Aiguamolls, Cadaqués-Port Lligat) are. The high-difficulty ones (Bassegoda, Neulós, Sant Quirze via the ridge, Sant Aniol) aren’t recommended for puppies under a year old or for senior dogs, given the elevation gain and duration.
What should I do if my dog gets exhausted halfway through?
Stop, give it shade and water, and consider heading back the shortest way instead of finishing the loop. Warning signs: excessive panting, very red or very pale gums, or lying down and refusing to go on — in that case, stop right away and find shade until it recovers.
Can my dog swim in any pool or cove along the route?
No. In protected areas like the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, swimming is banned to protect wildlife. In mountain pools like the Gorg Blau or the Cap de Creus coves it’s generally fine, but avoid it if there’s a strong current or during aquatic wildlife breeding season (spring).
How do I protect my dog’s paw pads on rocky terrain?
Ridge areas like Sant Quirze de Colera or the final stretch of Cadiretes have loose stones and eroded rock. If your dog isn’t used to this kind of terrain, dog trekking boots prevent cuts and wear. Check the paws when you finish, even if there’s no limping.
Mas Torrencito — Parets d’Empordà, Girona. The first rural guesthouse for pets that accepts people.
