Saturday, July 16, 2022

Cadaques: Cap de Creus

Cap de Creus is the most eastern point of Iberian Peninsula, much of the area forms the Natural Park of Cap de Creus. From Cadaques, we cut over to the Salvador Dali house in Port Lligat to catch the Cami (also Park Trail 3) to Cap de Creus lighthouse. The trail is rather well traveled. We came across dozens of fellow hikers, most of whom were French.

After some toodling around the lighthouse (plus a picnic lunch), rather than turning around, we walked over to catch Tudela Park Trail 17, just because we were given the brochure by Cadaques tourist office and thought we would see something extra. Were we glad we did! We wouldn't have been so pleasantly surprised if we had bothered to read the brochure carefully.The route took us to see various rock formations weathered to different shapes, many named after animals, and many provide inspiration to Dali. However, the most amazing part was going by the former site of a Club Med resort and reading about the history. In 1998, Cap de Creus was declared a natural park. In 2003 the 400-room Club Med was closed, and in 2010, all the man made structures were demolished and removed. Today nature again reigns the cap. I saw glimpses of hope of different possibilities. It was elating!


Walking on the Cami de Ronda towards Port Lligat.
Walking the Cami De Ronda to Cap de Creus from Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

The Dali House is on the water at the small harbour of Port Lligat with "eggs" and "twin heads" on the roof.
Salvador Dali's House in Portlligat - Walking the Cami De Ronda to Cap de Creus from Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Salvador Dali's House in Portlligat - Walking the Cami De Ronda to Cap de Creus from Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Another view twoards the Dali House.
Salvador Dali's House in Portlligat - Walking the Cami De Ronda to Cap de Creus from Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Continuing on the Cami de Ronda, we passed small bays with pebbly beaches, and terraced olive groves.
Walking the Cami De Ronda to Cap de Creus from Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking the Cami De Ronda to Cap de Creus from Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking the Cami De Ronda to Cap de Creus from Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

This is the view south past Cadaques to Cap Cala Nans; the far cliffs. We'll hike to those cliffs tomorrow. Come back to read that post.
Walking the Cami De Ronda to Cap de Creus from Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Eventually we get our first view of the Cap de Creus Lighthouse far in the distance (center left). Walking the Cami De Ronda to Cap de Creus from Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

The trail is easy to follow and we stopped for a snack with this view.
Walking the Cami De Ronda to Cap de Creus from Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

The lighthouse is straight ahead.
Walking the Cami De Ronda to Cap de Creus from Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking the Cami De Ronda to Cap de Creus from Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

It's a short walk, with awesome views, up to the lighthouse
Walking the Cami De Ronda to Cap de Creus from Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking the Cami De Ronda to Cap de Creus from Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Beyond the lighthouse is the tip of Cap de Creus. We spent an hour or so walking around, eating lunch, taking photos, and talking to the helpful lady in the tourist office located under the lighthouse.
Walking the Cami De Ronda to Cap de Creus from Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking the Cami De Ronda to Cap de Creus from Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking the Cami De Ronda to Cap de Creus from Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking the Cami De Ronda to Cap de Creus from Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

The view from our lunch spot.
Lunch View - Walking the Cami De Ronda to Cap de Creus from Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

To get from the lighthouse to Tudela Park, we briefly walked along the road, then headed down a ravine to get to the "paved" trail in the park.
Parque de Tudela - Walking from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Parque de Tudela - Walking from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

The walk through Tudela Park was fun even though the sun was strong and the air hot. We spotted rock formations carved out by the elements from the mix of rock types. Some inspired Dali. The first photo below I took at the Dali Museum in Figueres.
Salvador Dalí Museum - Figueres, Girona, Catalunya

Parque de Tudela - Walking from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Parque de Tudela - Walking from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Parque de Tudela - Walking from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Parque de Tudela - Walking from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Parque de Tudela - Walking from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Rabbit Rock.
Rabbit Rock - Parque de Tudela - Walking from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Eagle Rock can be seen from many points in the north end of Tudela Park.
Eagle Rock - Parque de Tudela - Walking from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Parque de Tudela - Walking from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

At the north end there are several stone and iron structures that offer views and information about the conversion of the park from a CLub Med resort to a landscape park.
Parque de Tudela - Walking from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Parque de Tudela - Walking from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Parque de Tudela - Walking from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

The destruction of the Club Med buildings.
Parque de Tudela - Walking from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Parque de Tudela - Walking from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Parque de Tudela - Walking from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

The Great Masturbator information sign, then my photo of the rock(s) from a differnet angle.
Parque de Tudela - Walking from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Parque de Tudela - Walking from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

We walked back to Cadaques and, surprise, there's a fog streaming in.
Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

A very hazy, tasty, Soma beer from Marc before dinner.
Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Sunset view from across the bay.
Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking home.
Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

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