For the second day of the walk, we get onto the magnificent GR-11 trans-Pyrenean footpath which runs to Port de la Selva on its penultimate stage.
Having crossed the Pyrenees, it’s a rather more sedate stage but there is still some climbing to do.
Our route to Port de la Selva measures 12.7km, with approximately 600 metres of ascent.
We follow the sign pointing out of Llança old town for the Coll de Perer pass and the village of La Selva de Mar.
Pick up the waymarks on Carrer l’Era (Carrer is calle/street in Catalán). Walk up the street, continuing along Carrer de Sant Pere de Rodes to reach the roundabout.
Cross to the far side of the roundabout to follow the GR-11 as it heads onto a path/track which ascends on the left-hand side of a shallow ravine.
The path/track climbs the ravine, with the ascent gradually becoming steeper as the route goes up to the Coll de Perer pass at a height of 346 metres.
At the pass, the GR-11 sign points right to continue the climb, now heading for the Sant Pere de Rodes monastery, which is 3.3km away.
The path climbs to a large cairn; soon afterwards our route bears left. Here the track levels out and there are great views across to high peaks in the Pyrenees.
Follow the track as it keeps a steady height, eventually emerging near a tumbledown farmstead, where a signpost points for Sant Pere de Rodes.
Here, a very good first view of Port de la Selva can be gleaned.
The GR-11 now moves onto the mountain road that leads to the large monastery, passing through a car park, and on to an information board that reveals that the place of worship was founded in the 9th century and then expanded during the 10th and 11th centuries.
Our route passes to the left of the walls of this fortified structure, which can be visited at a cost of around €7.
A sign tells us that it’s 2.85km to La Selva de Mar from the monastery.
Walk down the road, away from the monastery to a car park; this is where the GR-11 starts a steep descent towards the coast.
See the sign that points right; get on the path here and begin the long-ish walk down towards sea level.
Loose stones make the path slippery in some spots so care has to be taken.
The path emerges at the attractive Sant Sebastià church which has a rounded tower at the back; it looks more like a defensive structure than a place of worship.
Follow the stone-walled track into the village.
Cross the footbridge in La Selva de Mar and walk through the village to reach the road.
A track runs along the side of the road, heading away from La Selva de Mar.
Cross the road, where the waymarks indicate and walk along the Camí del Pont (Camí is Catalán for footpath).
On reaching the roundabout, turn left to walk into Port de la Selva.
There are several restaurants near the seafront where you will be able to have a three-course ‘menú del día’ set lunch for a reasonable price, with a view over the sea.
Booking.com provides several options for overnight stays. I stayed at Hotel Agora which was comfortable and quiet; it also has a kitchen and coffee machine that can be used by guests.
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