Stage 4: Banyoles - Besalú

You begin the fourth stage of the GR 1 route in (1) Sant Esteve de Banyoles (0:00h - 167m). You should follow the white and red GR signs at all times. From the monastery you take Calle Nou, you pass the church of Santa Maria dels Turers on the right and continue along Calle de Sant Antoni until you reach a detour in Calle Sant Martirià. You walk along this street until the end and cross the Figueres road. The street leads onto a path, you pass the cemetery on your right and reach (2) Puig de Sant Martirià (0:35 - 242m). You will find yourself on a flat hill top that offers good views over the lake of Banyoles and the entire surrounding area. On the same hill, you can also see the remains of the old convent of Sant Martirià.

You go down the northern slope of the hill and cross the GIP-5121 road. You walk along the side of the road heading north. After 300m, at a crossroads, you turn left (NW) and continue along the paved path of Usall. You pass several houses and reach a bridge over the (3) C-66 road (1:15 - 232m). You go down to the extensive Pla de Martís where you can enjoy a very agreeable panorama view in every direction. Continue heading north until you reach a detour. At this point you take the path on the left (W) and pass alongside the abandoned Can Malloles country house. You reach a second detour: now you turn right (NW) and you enter a little forest. The path takes you to the stream in Serinyà and to the modern building of the information centre in the Serinyà Prehistoric Cave Park.  You go along the side of the stream and enter the town of (4) Serinyà (2:00 - 183m).

You cross this pretty area and leave it along Calle Joan Carreras. Pass the football pitch and head down a few metres into the forest. The path goes through a tunnel under the C-66, past the great house of Gatielles and continues along a paved path (N) until a bridge over the river Ser. A few metres after crossing the bridge, the GR 1 route leaves the path and continues along a path that crosses the Baió forests. You reach Pla de Can Roset and the ruins of the country house of (5) Can Roset (3:00 - 200m), which is surrounded by holm oaks and oaks.

Continue walking until the northwest extreme of Pla de Can Roset. Then you descend directly to the stream of Riera de Junyell, cross it and climb a few metres up to the C-66z road. At this point you need to pay close attention: although the white and red signs indicate the opposite, inviting you to turn left and head up the Junyell stream along a forest path, you should continue along the hard shoulder of the road for about 500m, until you draw level with an industrial plant located to the right of the road. At this point you turn left (S) and pass in front of the Town Council of (6) Sant Ferriol (3:45 - 200m).

You walk along a street heading southwest until you reach a crossroads where you turn to the right (NW). Return to using the white and red GR 1 signs. On your left you will pass Mas Martí and further on, you cross the forest of Can Candell. You enter the beautiful town of (7) Besalú (4:15 - 146m) crossing over the fortified medieval bridge.