Stage 1: Cap de Creus - El Port de la Selva

To reach the tip of Cap de Creus –Trans-Pyrenees crossing starting point or end– from the Cap de Creus lighthouse take the path that descends between the rocks towards the east. The white and red signs on the GR help you to identify the path and in about 10 minutes you will reach the point where there is a painted white and red circle that marks the furthest point of the GR 11. You are in the easternmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula. This is where the Pyrenees, the great mountain range, merge with the Mediterranean Sea.

Many hikers that approach the Trans-Pyrenees crossing from sea to sea go down to the water and soak their hands in the Mediterranean, a gesture they repeat when they finish their adventure at the Cantabrian waters. There are even people who pick up a little water with a container, water that will later be returned to the sea, the Bay of Biscay, symbolizing the end of the journey.

Let's start the exciting Trans-Pyrenees crossing at (1) the tip of Cap de Creus (0:00 - 20m). From that point retrace your steps between the rocks until you once again reach the (2) Cap de Creus lighthouse (0:12 - 80m). Go around the lighthouse to the right and go down a path and stairs that leads to a bend in the road. During the first part of this first stage, you will repeatedly cross the Cap de Creus road. Be careful to pay attention to the GR 11 red and white signs at all times and the Port de la Selva signposts, which will help you to always follow the route.

You reach a point where you have definitely left behind the road and you pass by Mas dels Rabassers de Baix and then (3) Mas dels Rabassers de Dalt (1:10 - 115m), which is now in ruins. Continue down a comfortable and enjoyable trail. Soon you will reach the Puig Melus area (151m) that we have on our right (N) and then you will find the (4) Tavellera cove detour (1:50 - 125m). Formerly the GR 11 route went down to the right until reaching this cove (NW). However, the current route continues straight along the trail to the left (W). A few meters ahead you will leave this trail, which turns to the left and you will continue along a path (W). The road goes up and down. You will cross the Nou Recs Stream, also called the Tavellera Cove Stream and we will pass along the ruins of Mas Vell. You reach a wider trail and just to the right you will see Mas Paltré. Cross the trail and go towards (5) Rec de Talabre (2:50 - 98m).

Go up the ridge of the hill and then back down towards (6) Sant Baldiri de Tavellera (3:05 - 135m), a chapel originating from the 10th century, although the current building that you see is from a later date. Continue along the trail towards W. After a series of junctions and turnoffs, always following the white and red GR markers, you will pass by the ruins of Mas Puignau, which you will leave to the right. You are at the highest point of this stage (190m). From here you will began to slowly descend towards the NW and Port de la Selva. Enter Port de la Selva in the area of ​​the Figuerasses housing development and you will see the Tamariua submarine canyon to your right and its namesake cove below (N). Go around the Carbonera Hill (121m) to the right and turn all the way around towards Punta de la Creu. You will finally reach the port of (7) Port de la Selva (4:00 - 5m).

Port de la Selva is a beautiful seaside town full of charm, which has existed as a separate town since 1787, because originally it was only a Selva de Mar fishing port. Port de la Selva has a population of 1000 inhabitants spread out in various villages in the municipality, and its economy is based on tourism and fishing.