horse - #Cassàdestapa, portal turístic de Cassà de la Selva

The surroundings of Cassà de la Selva have many interesting places to visit or go for a walk. You can enjoy:

The application Natura local offers different routes around the area with explanantions about points of local interest. Take a look at the following routes.

From trees to corks
The Water Trail. Can Vilallonga
A walk through Esclet
A walk through the Matamala fields
The Cork Trail in Cassà
A walk through Cassà and Mosqueroles
Cassà under bombs

With Begur, the Gavarres make up the northern part of the Catalan coastal mountain range. It sweeps in an arc which opens towards the north, lying between el Baix Empordà and el Gironès. It is about 350km squared over about 20 towns: Calonge, Castell-Platja d’Aro, Corçà, Cruïlles-Monells-Sant Sadurní de l’Heura, Forallac, la Bisbal d’Empordà, Mont-ras, Palafrugell, Palamós, Santa Cristina d’Aro, Torrent i Vall-llobrega al Baix Empordà, i Cassà de la Selva, Celrà, Girona, Juià, Llagostera, Llambilles, Madremanya, Quart and Sant Martí Vell al Gironès.

To the north, the Gavarres borders the plains of el Baix Empordà with a row of hills, known as the Pregavarres; to the north-east they link up to the Transversal Mountains, which separates the plains of the Empordà from la Selva. Then, to the west, the Gavarres runs alongside la Selva, and to the south la vall d’Aro, a little dip where the Ridaura separates the Gavarres from the Ardenya range. The Gavarres are rounded and Josep Pla called them “elephantine”. The highest points are the twin hills of la Gavarra and Arques, 533 and 527 metres respectively. Other peaks of note are la Mare de Déu dels Àngels (485 m), el Montigalar (467 m), Santa Pellaia (353 m), el Puig Cargol (363m) and el Montnegre (285 m).

Thus placed between highly populated plains and near a significantly altered coast, the  Gavarres offer an extensive woodland landscape, which can be seen from everywhere.

Like any natural habitat the Gavarres is and has been a reflection of the activities and ways of life of the people who have lived there. The houses mirror the importance of family life in society; the plots of land, the irrigation channels, the mills, ovens etc show how these famílies have survived; the churches and paths show how famílies have organised themselves; and the placenames and legends reflect a way of thinking and seeing the world.

Studying the landscape from a historical point of view uncovers, beneath the lush vegetation covering the Gavarres, traces of other ways of life which coincide with the thread of history in the mountain range.

Extract from www.gavarres.cat

The surroundings of Cassà de la Selva are ideal for walking or cycling.

The Vies Verdes, specifically for the Ruta del Carrilet (railway route), run through Cassà. It is a route of 57km, more or less flat, and is easy to access. It passes through three ‘counties’ and 12 towns and it also follows the river valleys of the Fluvià, Brugent and Ter.

The railway route goes through places of great cultural, ecological, and aesthetic signignificance.  The track which formerly Connected la Garrotxa and el Gironès now allows us to get to know the natural resources of the towns, one of which is Cassà de la Selva.

Along this route in our town you will find the old railway station, just in front of Cassà de la Selva’s town hall. Here, there is a little area with tables which are ideal for stopping and enjoying the town.

The Pirinexus route is a cross-border cyclist route that runs the 351km between Catalunya and the Eastern Pyrenees.

The route is divided into 34 stages and is headed by a tour guide. It follows the same route as the Vies Verdes throught the Girona area. Stage 19 passes through Cassà de la Selva.

The aim of the Pirinexus route is to connect Catalonia and the Eastern Pyrenees using sustainable transport infrastructures, promoting respect for the environament and tourist activities, by trying to eliminate ‘borders’ both physically and mentally.

Located between the sea and the mountains and surrounded by the Gavarres, Cassà boasts some extraordinary natural scenery. Some of the routes pass through these places of historical interest. Feel free to explore them!

Aerodrome

A space which, during the Second World War, was used as an aerodrome; currently, however, it is only seen as a field.

Aqueductes of Can Vilallonga

A national heritage site in the category of ethnological interest.The aqueductes de Can Vilallonga are a remarkable example of making good use of wàter on behalf of the inhabitants of Cassà. They belong to Can Vilallonga (a country estate) which is run by the Consorci de les Gavarres (the Gavarres Committee). From here you can take the Water Trail, which is on the Natura Local application.

Can Vilallonga

Country estate managed by the Consorci de les Gavarres, which is in Cassà de la Selva, at the heart of the Gavarres.

It is easily accessible by car and is used as a nature centre for school groups. It also offers orienteering courses and other sports.

Can Vilallonga is in a fantàstic spot to begin walks into the Gavarres.

House and chapel of el Remei

Built in the 17th and 18th centúries in Sangosta. The Remei gathering is celebrated in October.

Municipal Cemetery

Built in 1889 in a neo-classical style and opened in 1910.

Font de la mina (Fountain of the Mine)

From the 19th century this was where wàter was first pumped for the population of Cassà de la Selva.

Pineda Fosca

Municipal leisure space. Open from April to October. If you would like to use the space you must call the Town Hall of Cassà de la Selva.

Iberian town of Puig del Castell

Iberian archaeological remains at the heart of the Gavarres. It was first documented in 1964.

Harvest fields in Esclet

Situated in Esclet and protected due to its special flora and local birds which flock there at certain times of the year. It is next to Sant Vicenç d’Esclet where there is a social gathering each January.

Tomb of the unknown soldier

The place where a Republican soldier was buried during the Civil War (1936-1939). Here lies a stone burial mound and a cross of flowers. This spot has become a symbol of the Civil War and a historic record for the town.

Parc Art

Private collection of sculpture in the open air. To make an appointment, call 972 46 30 81. More information at www.parcart.net.