Camí de Ronda: our walking tip for the Costa Brava

Walking along the Camí de Ronda

During our own time on the Costa Brava, we walked a stretch of the Camí de Ronda, the coastal path that winds along the Catalan coast like a ribbon. No organised tour, no fixed route on paper – just walking shoes on and off we went. And that was exactly what made it so good: rocks under our feet, the scent of pine trees, and time and again a new cove appearing around the next bend.

This time it’s not one of our trips, but a genuine walking tip. Something you can do yourself, or add on during a stay on the Costa Brava.

The path in a nutshell

The Camí de Ronda runs, with a few gaps, along almost the entire Costa Brava: from Blanes in the south to Portbou near the French border. Over time, various stretches of coastal path have been linked together into one route, which largely overlaps with the GR 92 – good for over 200 kilometres of walking.

Nobody expects you to walk the whole distance in one go. The beauty of it is that you can simply pick out individual stages, matching wherever you happen to be staying.

Our stretch of the path

We chose a section in the southern part of the Costa Brava. The path turned out to be anything but monotonous: one moment you’re walking along a flat, paved stretch by a little beach, the next you’re scrambling over rocks towards the next cove, and then the path leads you into the woods for a while.

That variety is exactly what makes walking here so enjoyable. No kilometres of straight line, but a different angle, a different view, a different piece of coast at every turn.

Fun facts about the Camí de Ronda

• Once a smugglers’ path. The path was originally used by the coast guard and later the Guardia Civil to keep watch over the coastline. Because of its location right by the French border, this area was popular with smugglers for a long time.
• The name tells the story. “Ronda” means patrol or round – a nod to what the path was originally used for.
• Over 200 kilometres strung together. Combined with the GR 92, the route is one of the longest continuous coastal paths in Spain. From military to municipal. Until the 1980s, the path was managed by the Guardia Civil. After that, the coastal municipalities gradually took it over and opened it up for walkers.
• Mostly natural ground. Most of the path runs over rock, sand or forest tracks; you’ll only find paved sections near the seaside towns.
• Marked in red and white. The route follows the familiar red-and-white GR markings, so it’s hard to get lost.

Why a bit of walking does you so much good

A few hours outdoors, in the wind and salty air, gives you more than just nice photos. Moving through nature is proven to be calming and helps you switch off from the everyday grind. Walking also doesn’t require any special gear or fitness level: everyone can go at their own pace, and by the end of the day you still feel you’ve achieved something. On the Costa Brava, the sea is there as a constant companion on top of that.

Tips if you want to walk a stretch yourself

• Wear sturdy (walking) shoes: the path is rocky and uneven in many places.
• Bring enough water and sun protection – even outside high season, the sun can still be strong.
• The path goes up and down regularly; walking poles can come in handy on some stretches.
• Not all the rocky sections have railings, so keep a close eye on children.
• Check in advance which stretch you want to walk: some stages are considerably tougher than others.

To finish

The Camí de Ronda isn’t part of our travel offering, but it’s a tip we didn’t want to keep to ourselves. If you happen to be on the Costa Brava, or are thinking about an active holiday in that direction, feel free to let us know – we’re happy to think along with you.

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