L’Ametlla de Mar, Baix Ebre

About the place:

If you like climbing and you have no fear of heights, you’ll love the walkway between the beach of  l’Estany Podrit and the Illot Rock at l’Ametlla de Mar. Rising and getting down of almost vertical rock walls you’ll pass from beach to beach enjoying of one of best preserved landscapes of Mediterranean coast in Catalonia.

Following the red and white marks GR92 by the cliffs you’ll the remains of trenches and coastal batteries. A reminder of to the time of the Spanish Civil War.

A route with spectacular views and swimming areas to enjoy the sea!

Direction tips:

To reach the beach of the L’Estany Podrit, you must enter Ametlla de Mar by  the TV3025. Just after passing the bridge you take the right fork following the signs to Camping l’Ametlla. You will pass under a bridge. At the end of the street you turn right and continue straight along the Ensenyament street. Once you arrive to the entrance of the Camping Ametlla, you continue straight on the road following the railroad tracks for 800 meters until you reach a clearing (end of the road) where you can park your car.

Take the track behind the chain. When path divides, take the one on your right hand. In 5 minutes you'll reach a beach of sand and stone. The path marked with red and white GR marks is located at the right side of the beach (when looking to the sea). You’ll have to climb some rocks near the sea to take the coastal path. It will take you 10 minutes to reach the first creek after a strong slope. Cross the tiny beach and climb up. You will find a fork. Take the path on the left, leaving the trail that goes up to your right. After the second creek, the road forks in a "V" form. Take the road to the left. Continue straight (left) by the cliffs along the walkway. At the third creek you must take the path on the left. After the fourth  creek you’ll arrive to an area with rosemary and palmetto vegetation. The trail ends again in a "V" near some pines. Turn left. At this point we reach the first beach just below a house. You should follow the wall of houses.

At some point you will find a paved road on your right (we will take it for the return). For now go left following the cliff. A few meters from the villa you will find a coastal battery which was set up as artillery during the civil war. In 20-25 minutes you will arrive at the Illot Rock. It is a small peninsula connected by a narrow sandy beach. To return, you must undo the path to the paved trail next to a house located at about 20-25 minutes from the islet. Follow the tarmac road until you reach the bridge that passes over the train tracks. At this point, without crossing the bridge, you will to your right a dirt track with a green fence that follows the train tracks. Take this way (do not take any bifurction) until you arrive to the Estany Podrit beach. At this point the trail ends. On the left you will find a tall, narrow stone bridge and on your right a path that leads to the beach.

The best season:

summer

Lunch tips:

If the walk has awakened you the appetite, you can have an easy meal at the restaurant of Camping Ametlla. You will find a good play zone, a football and basketball playground and even a swimming pool.

More info:

Difficulty: high
Type: semi-circular
Distance: approx. 5.6 km. (tow-ways)
Duration: 2 hours (no breaks, roundtrip)
Accessibility: a route with a lot of strong slopes. There are many stones on the road.
Recommendations: Even though you go to the beach, you have to use very good walking footwear. Watch the children at all times, since there is some stretch where the path is very narrow and the path passes beside a cliff..
This itinerary can be complemented with different stretches of the GR92.

Photo: © ExploraTgn.cat