Vall de Sant Daniel — The Green Valley Behind the Old City
Walk through the Portal de Sant Cristòfol gate in Girona's city walls and within five minutes you're in the Vall de Sant Daniel, a lush green valley of oak and pine that feels utterly remote yet begins literally at the edge of the medieval city. It's Girona's best-kept open secret and the locals' favourite escape.
The Valley Walk
The main path follows the Sant Daniel stream for about 3 km to the 11th-century Benedictine Monastery of Sant Daniel, still home to a community of nuns who produce and sell honey and liqueurs at the monastery door. The walk is flat, shaded and suitable for all ages; the monastery church is open for visits most mornings.
Along the route you'll pass old stone farmhouses (masies), ancient plane trees and small stone bridges. In spring the valley floor is carpeted with wildflowers; in autumn the oaks turn copper and the air smells of damp earth and pine resin.
Extending the Walk
From the monastery, a steeper trail climbs through oak forest to the Rocacorba ridge, where a communications tower marks the highest point of the immediate area. On a clear day the view takes in the Pyrenees to the north and the glittering Mediterranean to the east — a 360-degree reward for about 90 minutes of climbing.
The full Vall de Sant Daniel to Rocacorba circuit is around 14 km return and rated moderate. Bring water as there are no facilities beyond the monastery. Trail maps are available at the Girona tourist office on Rambla de la Llibertat.
More of Girona
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Girona →
