La Vall de Santa Creu's path

It is an itinerary with a medium degree of difficulty due to the difference in altitude and its duration (3 hours 15 minutes approx.). The start of this itinerary is the car park right at the entrance to La Vall de Santa Creu. From there we will continue towards the center paying attention to the signs that will take us to the crossroads of Sant Pere de Rodes. The route we propose is the one on the right, the longest. Immediately we will take the Cloells ravine which, between dry stone walls, will take us to the Marcelet corrals.
We will follow the indications, trying not to leave the established route, until the Perer pass from where we will enjoy a very good view. At this point it connects with the path that climbs from Llançà. The itinerary continues towards the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, passing through Mas de la Granja, Mas de la Pallera and the hermitage of Santa Helena. Once we reach the monastery, to return to La Vall de Santa Creu, we must return to the path that leaves from the Monjos fountain (near the Natural Park information center).

1. LA VALL DE SANTA CREU

The neighbourhood of La Vall de Santa Creu is located to the NE of the municipality of El Port de la Selva. It still preserves the narrow and steep streets on the living rock of distant times. Today, the thirty existing houses have been restored and are used, for the most part, as second homes. Very few are occupied by families throughout the year. La Vall was an independent municipality until an order of 1787 given by Carlos III annexed it to El Port de la Selva. The economy was based on livestock and the cultivation of vineyards and olive trees. A good place to contemplate the vineyards is the path that connects the town of La Vall with Sant Pere de Rodes.

2. CHURCH OF SANT FRUITÓS

We found it at the entrance of the town. The construction dates back to the 17th century. It replaced one of the four monastic cells disputed between the monasteries of Sant Policarp de Rasès and Banyoles, although it ended up being the possession of Sant Pere de Rodes. The church, however, is mentioned as early as the 9th century. It has a single nave with a semicircular apse, and, as a whole, the belfry tower stands out.

3. FONT D'EN GARLAPA (GARLAPA'S FOUNTAIN)

In the generous shade of the plane trees of the town square, there is the fountain (font) d'en Garlapa, popularly the fountain d'en Garlapa drinks and covers. In the same square we find the washing place and the drinking trough. The square currently serves as a meeting point for the inhabitants of the place.

4. LA CANYADA DE CLOELLS (GLEN OF CLOELLS)

A glen is a cattle trail. Cloells is also the beginning of the route that we have proposed and one of the best preserved in the Natural Park. The Cloells path surprises us with the majesty of the landscapes. And, always, accompanied by the charm of solitude and the history of a green and rich land, despite the abandonment of the farms by man.

5. CORRALS D'EN MARCELET OR CLOELLS

Going up the ravine we will find watering holes and corrals. Corrals d'en Marcelet are dry stone constructions, specifically a fence and two large circular huts, of uncertain origin, but which served as shelter for shepherds and cattle.

6. ELS MASOS

The first mas (farmhouse) that we come across once we leave the coll del Perer behind, is the mas de la Granja, in ruins. Just reaching the road, to our right, we will see the Mas de la Pallera. On the other side of the road we can visit the dolmen that bears the same name.