The Gavarres

For those who are more mountain lovers we have the protected Gavarras mountainous massif, a forest mass with a large and rich architectural heritage, especially megalithic and medieval.

This natural site includes a large part or part of the municipalities of Calonge, Castell d'Aro, Corçà, Cruïlles, Forallac, la Bisbal, Mont-ras, Palafrugell, Palamós, Santa Cristina d'Aro, Torrent and Vall-llobrega in the Baix Empordà, and Cassà de laSelva, Celrà, Girona, Juià, Llagostera, Llambilles, Madremanya, Quart and Sant Martí Vell in Gironès.

The massif forms part, together with that of Begur, of the northern end of the Catalan coastal mountain range, forming a great arch that goes from the part of Begur, the Vall d'Aro and the coast of Palamós, to the most northern part, in the Ter gorge before reaching Celrà, limited by the Selva and Gironès to the west, and the Empordanet to the east.

In some cases, cork extraction still exists, although its socioeconomic weight has greatly decreased. Currently, the Gavarres are seen as a great natural space, most of which is used as a leisure area, although the Consorci de les Gavarres works to ensure that tourist and recreational uses can be compatible with the return of more productive activities.

The main heritage and landscape values ​​of the area focus above all, beyond its natural values, on the immense ethnological heritage that has been preserved and restored, declared an Area of ​​Ethnological Interest. Among the set of conserved elements, we can find mills, ice wells, mines, a tile factory, a source of spicy water formerly commercialized and a whole hydraulic system, that of Can Vilallonga.