Sant Llorenç De La Muga – Walls, the Muga and Trails

Sant Llorenç De La Muga combines a well-preserved medieval ensemble with a landscape shaped by the river and a variety of routes. This gives you different options for your stay: historic buildings, hiking and cycling, or the Muga and its swimming spots. The routes described also range in length from a section of about 800 metres to a 42-kilometre mountain bike trail.

Medieval character and buildings

The walled ensemble includes three entrance gates and several towers with either a round or square ground plan. Its good state of preservation defines the medieval character of the village. Among the buildings is the Torre de Guaita: built in the 13th century, it has a completely circular ground plan and offers a viewpoint over the Muga Valley and Sant Llorenç.

Santa Maria del Palau is located in the municipal area, in the Palau area. The church has a single rectangular nave; its vault is pointed throughout, and its apse is semicircular. These features describe both the building’s ground plan and its interior form.

The Muga and its landscape

The La Muga River runs through the municipal area for eleven kilometres. Along the Muga in Sant Llorenç, there are several gorgs (river pools) that invite you to swim. They add a seasonal outdoor activity to the river landscape.

Another landscape highlight is the Penya-segats de la Muga. Red, acidic conglomerate cliffs and distinctive flora, including ferns, mosses and fungi, define the area. The protected area contains the only known site in Catalonia for several valuable species of cryptogamic flora, including ferns and mosses. Nature lovers will encounter both a striking rocky landscape and distinctive plant life here.

Trails for different activities

The marked Camino Natural de la Muga runs from Sant Llorenç De La Muga to Castelló d’Empúries. You can hike, cycle and fish along this route; it can be travelled on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. As markings and trail conditions may change, check them before setting out.

The Camí Natural de la Muga en BTT is 42 kilometres long, has an elevation gain of 498 metres and is of moderate difficulty. Check the route details again before your trip. Another option is the Pujada a la ermita de Sant Jordi route, which leads from the village of Sant Llorenç to the Sant Jordi chapel. From there, the view stretches to the end of the reservoir and across the Empordà plain to the sea.

The Passeig de Sant Antoni offers a shorter section: the approximately 800-metre route between the Sant Antoni hermitage and the Sínia is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Check access conditions locally. Details about this section help you distinguish a specific stretch from the longer routes.

Festivals and local traditions

The Fira del Carbó celebrates the traditional craft of charcoal making and takes place every year on the first Sunday in March. Muga Amunt features free small-scale concerts in July on the Font Pudosa open-air stage. The stage is located next to the Muga and the medieval walled ensemble; the programme may vary from year to year. The two events have different focuses: charcoal making in March and open-air music in July.

The famous Mongetes de Sant Llorenç beans are also part of local tradition. They are grown in small gardens outside the town walls. Their origins are therefore tied to a specific location in the surroundings of the medieval ensemble.

Discover more destinations: Madremanya, Mieres, Besalú, Vilallonga De Ter, Bescanó, Guils De Cerdanya, Castelló D’empúries, Vilobí D'onyar

For the main travel overview: Girona.