Stage 17: Sant Martí de Cavallera - Cambrils

We begin the seventeenth stage of GR 1 near the hermitage of (1) Sant Martí de Cavallera (0:00h - 1.225m). Follow the white and red GR trail markings, descending toward some fields, which you will cross along the edges toward a grove of holm oaks. Continue through the oaks until you reach a track that runs along the ridge, descending toward the streambed, which will take you over the next crest to the Romanesque hermitage of Sant Miquel and the monumental farmhouse of (2) Soler de Dalt (0:35h - 1.087m).

Continue toward the Northeast, passing a watering hole on the left. Careful attention is required at this point: the path you need to take does not lead to the watering hole, but passes just above it. Continue between the abandoned fields where you may easily to come upon a kestrel hovering, looking for a vole to eat. Soon you will be back in the forest, more varied and sub-Mediterranean here. Half hidden amid the vegetation you will see the two cliffs that make up the remote Estret de Riulacó. Descend to the bottom of the valley and cross the riera d'Odèn. Just to your left you will see a lovely mountain pound that can be accessed from the right side of the watercourse. Continue, leaving the path that ascends toward l’Estret on your right. We recommend detouring away from the GR1 for a short while to take a look at this small but spectacular canyon.

Then head up the other slope of the valley in switchbacks, first on a narrow path, then on a track. Finally, you will reach the ridgeline and on the left you will see the (3) Creu de Fontcoberta (1:30h - 1.212m). Continue climbing, passing the cutoff for the path to Odèn on your right. You will come to a paved track and pass alongside the bucolic village of Oriola. You’ll be gaining altitude on the south-facing slope and, just before the track reaches the road, you’ll turn onto a narrow path that drops steeply, squeezed between the forest and the rock face. You’ll arrive at Ribera dels Perxets and climb up a steep hill on the other side. Pass the pond, where wild boar like to cool off, and continue climbing up to the la Garriga ridgeline.

Take the narrow, less defined path along the flank until the next foothill and continue to (4) road number L-401 (2:45h - 1,170m). Follow the road, which will give you a good view of the different crests and streams that run down the mountain toward the deep Fred River. Before reaching kilometer marker 23, take the track that breaks off to the left. Walk along the old mule track that skirts the edges of various crests and streambeds, eventually returning to the road. Pass the peaceful hamlet of Racó, where there are two spectacular waterfalls, just below the Cal Sala farmhouse. The lonely road runs along the final crest and crosses the scree. Finally we arrive in (5) Cambrils (4:00h - 1.081m), the endpoint of the seventeenth stage.