Short Fitor dolmens walk, in the Gavarres

What it is

It is E-Route 1 of the Gavarres megalithic routes: a circular walk of 1.62 km, about 45 minutes and 72 m of ascent around Santa Coloma de Fitor. The Consorci de les Gavarres presents it as very easy, designed for small children and people with reduced mobility, although the last stretch is not suitable for wheelchairs. It was promoted by the GRAMPO research group of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Consorci, with the collaboration of the owners of the Finca Fitor.

Fitor is a corner of woodland in the heart of the Gavarres massif, among cork oaks and pine woods, in the municipality of Forallac, the same one as Peratallada. Within its boundaries are fifteen known dolmens, a menhir and several sacrificial stones: it is the densest dolmen cluster in the Gavarres.

The route

1. The church of Santa Coloma de Fitor. This is the starting point. Romanesque, on a small plain, with a large bell tower with Lombard decoration, with a frieze of small arches on the upper-floor windows, visible from much of the massif. Together with the rectory and the cemetery it forms a small ensemble. The name Fitor first appears in writing in 948, with the consecration of the parish.
2. The Camí Ral. The first stretch follows the old royal road that linked Palamós with Girona, along which cork, timber and charcoal came down by cart to the port.
3. El Mas Puig.
4. The Llobinar dolmen and engravings, the megalithic monument on the route, with its inscultures, the engravings in the rock.

Along the way you get good views of the Fitor bell tower with the Montgrí in the background.

How to follow it

It is an electronic route: don’t expect posts at every junction. Download the GPX track or the PDF sheet beforehand from the Consorci de les Gavarres website and follow it with a maps app on your phone, such as Wikiloc or OruxMaps. Each monument has a sign with a QR code that opens its information sheet. Up there coverage is not guaranteed: bring the track already downloaded.

Getting there

Fitor is reached by forest tracks. The most commonly used ways are those that climb from Fonteta, from Sant Climent de Peralta, which links with the Girona to Palamós road, from Mont-ras and from the Coll de la Ganga. Fonteta also belongs to Forallac, like Peratallada. Drive slowly: they are dirt tracks shared by walkers and cyclists. Park without blocking the way next to the church.

Rules

The route passes for the most part through the land of Mas Joanola, a private estate. Respect paths and fences, don’t touch the dolmen stones or the engravings and take your litter with you. With a dog, keep it on a lead.

When to go

It can be done all year. In spring and autumn the woods are most pleasant. In summer, go early and check the fire risk level on the Generalitat’s Pla Alfa beforehand: when risk is high, access to forest massifs is restricted. After heavy rain, ask about the state of the tracks.

With children

It is the short route for them: 45 minutes, little climbing and a dolmen at the end that looks like a stone house. With a pushchair you can do a good part of it, but not the final stretch. Bring water and something to eat.

If you want more, the Serra d’en Cals route starts from the same place and visits ten megalithic monuments in one morning.