Carrilet Route

Not only the older in the village remember it. The last trip of the charismatic Carrilet, the little railroad that linked several villages of the Ampurdan between Girona and Sant Feliu de Guíxols, took place on April 10, 1969. But its memory lives on and its tracks have been recovered for the enjoyment of visitors and sportists. Today we go to the old railway station of Castell d’Aro, one of the best preserved.

La antigua estación del Carrilet, en Santa Cristina d'Aro

Old Carrilet railway station, in Santa Cristina d'Aro

During its 77 years of life this little train, narrow gauge, that was opened in 1892, was an important hub of communication between the interior of Ampurdan and Costa Brava. For industry-cork traders, so flourishing at the years the beginning of the road, meant the possibility to transport their goods efficiently.

La estación del Carrilet es hoy en día la Oficina de Turismo

Carrilet railway station in Santa Cristina d'Aro is today the Tourist Information Office

The Carrilet took about 2 hours to complete the journey of about 37 kms. The good news is that today, and since the late 90′s, all the road, almost flat, which the carrilet crossed has become a very nice cycle route, which runs, in addition to Sant Feliu and Girona, Castell Platja d’Aro, Santa Cristina d’Aro, Llagostera, Cassa de la Selva and Quart. Once past Girona the bike path continues until Ripoll.

La ruta cicloturística transcurre entre Sant Feliu de Guíxols y Girona

Cyclo touristic journey goes across Sant de Feliu de Guíxols and Girona

Carrilet Castell d’Aro station was the penultimate of the journey, before arriving at Sant Feliu de Guixols. Located just outside the village center, this renewed building is now the village tourist office. It is one of the best preserved of all route stations. Explanatory panels in the environment tell us about the history of the former railway line and the potential of the new cycle route.

El recorrido cicloturístico del antiguo Carrilet es prácticamente plano

Ancient Carrilet railway cyclo touristic journey is almost flat

Thus, from this station, we can start a comfortable family bike circuit that will take us along quiet stretches of La Selva and Baix Empordà counties, across the valleys between the Gavarres and Ardenya mountains.

Los excelentes paisaje y la tranquilidad del recorrido hacen que sean de carácter familiar, aptos para todos

Excellent stretches and quietness. The Carrilet route is available for all in the family

Post Author

This post was written by Alex Rigola who has written 60 posts on Costa Brava Blog.

Alex Rigola is Costa Brava's editor and an ampurdan passionated who enjoys sailing his little boat through the Costa Brava coast. He currently lives in Pals and if you use to ride along cycling routes in the area, it's very likely that you encounter him at some point. When asked about his favorite spot on the Costa Brava he never hesitates for a moment: Cala Montjoi.

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