On the way to Cala Nans lighthouse we’ll discover the southern shore of Cadaqués Bay, unspoilt and less crowded, in the typical rocky landscape of Cap de Creus. We’ll find Sa Sabolla beach, the lighthouse and the wonderful sights of the bay at the tip of Cala Nans.
The sun shows up on the warm horizon. Scattered clouds float in a magical magma. The beam of the lighthouse has shone upon the darkness of this cape since 1864 and shows us the way along the dark path. We are literally heading towards the light.
Starting from the right side of Sa Conca beach, the little path winds up and down the rocks, weaving towards the sea and away from it, intermittently like the light that guides us. We go down to the sea. On the rocky bare cliffs we can see wild flowers and plants growing, almost like a miracle, so delicate in their strength.
The lighthouse building appears minimalist, perched on a big rock swallowed by the vastness. It reminds us of the traffic of men, mules and boats coming from Cadaqués carrying all kind of materials for its construction. We can see Cadaqués now kissed by the rising sun, still asleep, peaceful, sheltered by the mountains from the rest of the world.
And then we discover the path dotted with little groups of people walking to the lighthouse. It’s wonderful to share this experience with other people. We walk in silence for an hour, listening to the soft whistle of the wind, until the sound of the waves hitting the rocks and the scream of seagulls tell us that we are getting closer to our destination. Cala Nans is a privileged place. Surrounded by steep cliffs, closed in itself yet open to constant northerly winds and currents. According to the book ‘The Merchant Navy in Cadaqués’, Cala Nans was very popular among the lighthouse keepers, who would take the job as an early retirement. At the beginning of the xxth century Cala Nans was abandoned due to the loss of its strategic value. Then, in 1982, the public pressure stopped its demolition and prompted its complete renovation.
On this beautiful morning, warmed up by the sun, Sa Sabolla beach invites us to dive into its transparent still waters. Fresh and stimulating, the swim renews our vital fluids, our ideas and passions. We relax for a while looking for little moons among the stones, walking along the path that surrounds the beach, staring at the changing light… After a little snack we head back, taking with us this little patch of Paradise and loving every unforgettable moment we’ve spent there.//
Height of the spotlight above sea level: 35’30 metres
Shape of the lighthouse: Cylindrical tower on top of a white house
Beam: White light. 4 + 1 glitters every 25 seconds
Length of the beam: 8 miles. Currently operative, monitored and fed with photovoltaic panels
Location: 42.27008650º latitude, 3.2864090º longitude
Time and distance from Sa Conca beach, round trip: 5 km, 2 hours slow walking.
Difficulty: Low. It is perfect for a family walk or for running
Season: All year
You can’t miss:
The stone path around Sa Sabolla beach.
The little chapel in the honour of Pius V, the pope whose reign ended with Turkish piracy (Lepant battle, 1571) after Redbeard had attacked and burned Cadaqués.
The view of Cadaqués from the lighthouse.
