Sitges-Vilanova circular

Event Details

  • Start Date Wednesday, 23rd of October 2024
  • End Date Wednesday, 23rd of October 2024
  • Start/End Time 10:30 - 16:30
  • Near SITGES, Spain
  • Categories , ,
  • Groups
  • Approx Distance 10 Miles
  • TerrainIncludes steep ascents and descents and rough and rocky forest trails

For the second walk of our mid-week walking "weekend" in Sitges, we will follow the GR92 national coastal trail south to the next town of Vilanova, and then return via an inland forest route and the Miralpeix summit with views over Sitges. Additional photos of the route, taken in March, can be seen here.

We will start by walking about half an hour along the length of the promenade from the old town to the Terramar hotel, passing the rainbow bench and rainbow crossing to 'Sin Street', and the HIV/AIDS memorial with rainbow chairs.  Beyond the Terramar and Sunway Golf Hotels we drop down to follow the beach for a short while in front of the golf course (taking care not to "disturb the turtles cruising for sex"), until we pass what's left of the legendary 1990s Atlantida Beach Club.  From there on we follow the hiking trail between the coast and the railway line, at times along the railway line itself (but NOT on the tracks themselves or through any tunnels!) - often narrow, rough and rocky and with some short steep slopes.

After another half an hour or so we pass the Playa del Muerte or "Dead-man's beach", claimed to be the world's first gay nudist beach, since the 1930s.  Just beyond that we reach a viewpoint where we take a break, enjoying fine views back over Sitges and beyond (toward the Hermitage featured in our first walk) and onward toward Vilanova.

The trail continues for another hour or so to Vilanova, past several more coves and beaches, viewpoints and railway tunnels, until we approach the city past some large beachfront villas and reach the light-house.

Here we will break for a good hour for lunch, to allow some free time to explore the city centre a little, buy a sit-down lunch from one of the many cafes or tapas bars, or simply relax and eat a packed lunch on the beach.

Returning from the lighthouse we cross the railway line just after the last of the beachfront villas to take the inland route back to Sitges. The first half of our return route takes us along more or less narrow, rough and rocky forest trails and a steady incline (with a sharp decline and incline again) until we reach the Miralpeix summit at around 350 feet. Just beyond the summit are fine views down over Sitges and along the coast, and inland over the vineyards and neighbouring town of San Pere de Ribes, from a little derelict hilltop lookout post with a little derelict chapel just beneath.

After a short break here, and a short detour to the ruin of the tiny, older Miralpeix fort, we continue a little longer through the forest before we drop (very) sharply down past the 5-star Eurostars Hotel and the villas of Can Girona overlooking the golf course.

From here we briefly follow the dry river bed around the campsite (assuming that it is dry as usual, otherwise the road across!) and then follow the avenues of the newly (part) built residential district of La Plana back into Sitges, along and just above the railway line.

We end the walk at Can Robert park, by the airport bus stop, just a few minutes under the railway bridge to the train station and the old town beyond.

After the walk there will be an option to go for a drink together, and to meet up again later for dinner and drinks in the evening.

Anyone who prefers a shorter and easier walk with less of a climb can take the 5 minute train ride back to Sitges after our half-way lunch stop at Vilanova.

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