History, trails through the landscape and a communal food tradition offer different ways to get to know Vidreres. When planning, you can choose between a clearly measured castle trail, longer routes and a festival tied to Shrove Tuesday.
Castle Trails and Historic Buildings
Sant Iscle Castle was a fortification of the Viscounts of Cabrera. It was in use from the 12th to the 15th century and shaped the fortunes of the Vidreres area during that time. The route to the castle is also clearly described: it is 3.7 kilometres long, easy and linear, with an approximate walking time of one hour. From Vidreres, a local trail starts on Carrer de la Costa Brava. From there, a signposted uphill walk of ten minutes leads to the castle. Fields and holm oak and pine forests define the route before it climbs to the castle hill.
La Torre d’en Llobet offers a different historical perspective. Its original structure dates from the 15th to 16th century and includes a four-storey defensive tower. The tower can be reached via a dirt road that branches off the C-35 between Vidreres and Llagostera at kilometre 88. As the condition of roads can change, it is worth checking the state of the dirt road before your visit.
Ponds, Forest Trails and Far-Reaching Views
The Llobet ponds are three ponds on the stream of the same name. The Llobet family created them to irrigate their fields. The route there first passes through agricultural areas and then through Mediterranean woodland. This lets you choose between an outing to a specific historic waterworks and a trail whose landscape changes along the way. Vidreres also has a relatively secluded natural area that has preserved its biodiversity.
A route to the Ermita de Caulès and Turó de Puig Ventós also takes in Sant Iscle Castle, the Llobet ponds and La Torre d’en Llobet; it runs through fields and forests. From the Turó de Puig Ventós viewpoint, you can see across the entire plain of La Selva. Along the path from Caulès to Cabanyes, you will also find La petja de Sant Martí: a granite rock engraved with crosses and a marked area resembling a footprint. This marking is described as resembling a footprint; the rock therefore offers its own cultural and landscape point of interest.
For a longer-distance perspective, the Via Marina Romana–Camí de Sant Jaume passes through Vidreres. It connects Girona and Barcelona along the ancient Via Marina of the Via Augusta. The section in Vidreres is 12.9 kilometres long and crosses the coastal mountain range in the Caulès area. Compared with the 3.7-kilometre route to Sant Iscle Castle, this is a significantly longer walk; an approximate walking time is also provided for the castle route.
Church, Farmhouse and Local History
The history of Santa Maria de Vidreres stretches further back than the church’s present form: the first historical records of the parish date from the 11th century. The present church was created through an extensive architectural transformation at the end of the 18th century. Its style is Baroque-Neoclassical. A different jump in time can be seen at Mas Flassià: the farmhouse dates from the 16th century, but it had already been documented in the 13th century. The two dates refer to different historical points of reference and show that early records of a place are not the same as the date of its present-day building.
El Ranxo and Travel Planning
El Ranxo is a communal stew tradition in which residents and local businesses contribute ingredients. The cooks prepare nearly thirty pots, each holding 100 litres. Ranxo takes place every Shrove Tuesday in Plaça Lluís Companys, also known as Plaça de l’Oliva. If you want to plan your trip around this event, take the specific Shrove Tuesday into account when choosing your dates.
The routes offer different scales: the castle trail is outlined by its length, difficulty and approximate walking time; the Via Marina section is described as 12.9 kilometres long and by its route through Caulès. There are also landscape trails with several named points of interest, and the Ranxo, tied to a specific festival day. If you are looking for a hotel in Vidreres, this focus can provide a clear starting point for planning your trip: a castle hike, a longer route through the landscape or a stay centred around the communal stew tradition.
Discover more destinations: Cervià De Ter, Castelló D’empúries, Colera, Fontanals De Cerdanya, Osor, Les Llosses, Vilallonga De Ter, Pontós.
For the wider travel overview: Girona.
