Cap Norfeu: A legendary route north of the Costa Brava

If you like to walk while you feel the sea breeze in your face, we suggest a route through Cap Norfeu, located on the coast of the Alt Empordà, in the beautiful north of the Costa Brava. Cap Norfeu belongs to the bay of Roses and forms a narrow peninsula between Cala Montjoi and Jóncols bay, entering 2 kilometers above the sea. It is a protected area that is part of the Cap de Creus Natural Park and becomes an exceptional viewpoint of caves, cliffs and virgin beaches.

The legend of Cap Norfeu

The baptism of this head as Cap Norfeu is pure poetry: It tells the legend that Orpheus (a character in classical Greek mythology who was said to have been able to tame the beasts with the music of his lyre) was shipwrecked in full night on a rock jutting out of the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.

When Orpheus saw the first ray of sunshine in the morning he could see that he was a short distance away from the coast surrounded by forests and with the mountain of Canigó crowned with white snow in the background. Abstracted by the landscape he decided to perform one of his melodies with the lyre while trying to describe that charming beauty. In order to be able to listen to that celestial music that Orpheus emitted with his lyre, the mountains of the coast slowly approached the rock where he clung to save himself from shipwreck (which is said to be the current rock "of the Cat"). The drag of the mountains to listen to his music allowed Orpheus to get out of the rock and jump to the mainland while saving his life.

A beautiful popular legend that explains the birth and baptism of Cap Norfeu, an unbeatable place in the north of the Costa Brava where you can make an excursion under the magic of this legend.

The route

The starting point of this circular excursion of just over 4 km is the Coll de Canadell car park. To get there you have to take the road to Cala Montjoi and do a couple of kilometers of dirt track. At this point the road signs begin, suitable for all audiences!

The first ascent will be to the Torre Norfeu, which was built around 1604 as a defensive point in the Gulf of Roses, but of which only the first of the two circular floors and the outer wall remain. Following the route you reach the tip of Cap Gros and the Mirador Norfeu, from where you can contemplate a bucolic view of the Mediterranean. We continue along Punta de la Trona along the circular path until we reach the Torre Norfeu again.

Throughout the journey along the coast, you will see over the sea the rocky islets of the so-called Monica Islands. Many of its silhouettes are reminiscent of animals, including the Cavall Bernat and the Cat (the rock where, according to legend, Orefeu was shipwrecked).

Grab some good shoes as some part of the path becomes rocky, prepare your camera, research well on the legend of Orpheus and delve into this adventure at Cape Norfeu. A legendary route at this point on the Alt Empordà coast where children and adults alike will enjoy one of the most legendary and bucolic places on the Costa Brava!