The Megalithic Route of Roses

The Megalithic Route of Roses Among the many excursions available in the roses area, we recommend the Megalithic Route. Along the way you will discover all sorts of dolmens and menhirs located on the border of the Natural Park of the Cap de Creus. At dawn or dusk we will intensify – if that is possible – the feeling of magic and mystery around these monuments. We set out on the road from Roses to the cove of Montjoi. If you do not know the area, follow the signs to the harbour and port of the Almadrava. On the avenue of Pau Casals you will find a small sign on your left to the Dolmen Creu d’en Cobertella. After a few kilometres, there is a car park and signposts for the route. A stony path leads us up the mountain to the Dolmen Creu d’en Cobertella. This is the largest megalithic monument in Catalonia and is between 3000 and 3500 years old. It was already known during the middle Ages, and in the 19th Century it was used as a stable. The dolmen was restored in 1957 and declared Historical-Artistic Monument in 1964. The construction is really spectacular. The slab roof is over five meters long and weighs approximately 18 tons. Of course, we ask ourselves not only how they were able to build it in those days, but also what use the building might have had. Throughout history, popular traditions have linked this dolmen with devils, witches, or giants. The path continues on to the ruins of the old mas of Casa Cremada. Nearby stand two menhirs, called Menhir of the Casa Cremada I and II. The first one stands in an extraordinary setting. On a clear day you can see beyond the Medes Isles as far as Begur, and passing Montgó, on the other side of the Bay of Roses. We can also perfectly distinguish the last meander of the Fluviá before it flows into the Mediterranean. On most of the trip we walk along old livestock paths bordered by dry stonewalls. These were built to facilitate work in the vineyards that were abundant here before the phylloxera plague. Throughout the excursion we can observe a series of stone huts built into the walls, some of them of circular shape. These constructions used to be used as refuges for shepherds and for storing tools. The route takes us to two more dolmens, near the built-up area of Roses: the Llit de la Generala and the Cap de l’Home. All along the path that takes us back to our starting point we can enjoy the magnificent views over the Bay of Roses and the Empordà Plain.//NINO BLANCAFORT Technical Data: Time: 2 to 3 hours, including looking at the monuments. Distance: 4.5 kilometres Difficulty: easy, without steep slopes.

Empordaguia

The Megalithic Route of Roses

Others