| Trees shade the path through the woods |
The other day my host friend and I took a trip to the Celrà City Hall in search of information about the town. I was given 2 envelopes with various hiking routes in and around the town: I think there are 12-14 routes!
That afternoon I set out to explore the nearby lime and tile kilns that were used for building. This is the route. The starting point is about 20 minutes walk from where I am staying. It is located between Celrà (where I'm staying) and the next municipality, Juià.
Upon entering the woods, I found myself transported to a completely different place. The sights and sounds of the road disappeared.
I was a bit concerned that I would have trouble finding my way, but the trail is well marked and well traveled. Still, throughout the hike I often was unsure whether I was heading in the right direction. I will probably return now that I have a better understanding of the layout, and to explore some paths that I didn’t the first time.
As I entered the woods at the start of the trail I found myself grinning and my spirits rising. There is something about being in a space that is so resplendent with natural growth that causes me to feel good. This trail has the remnants of old walls (separating the two municipalities), the old kilns, a well, farms and more. It was great fun to explore and I will go back again, perhaps this evening when we return from the beach!
| The walls along the pathway are full of interesting growth, sediment, roots and so on. I could look at this for hours. |
This is the remainder of a tile kiln - a Rajoleria - that you will find along the trail. It's very cool to see how the stones were set together and how since its abandonment the forest has adopted it. Though it is human-made, to me it doesn't seem out of place the way a skyscraper would.
| Remnants of a wall near the kiln - perhaps originally part of a larger building that encompassed the kiln. |
| Font Musquerra - an old spring that was probably used as a well for water. |
Here is an example of the remains of the wall that marks the boundary between Celrà and Juià. Also, in the foreground, is one of the trail markers. As you can see, the trail is well marked!
| Here is another view of the boundary wall looking upward. |
In the middle of the woods I came upon a field with smaller trees and lots of grass and sunshine. It was like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
| Just past that first field above, I found one of the farms: Mas Espolla |
| This is the Forn de Calç de Can Gich. |
| Here is my shadow as I stand in the doorway of the kiln. |
