Kayaking along the impressive cliffs of Lloret de Mar, which cannot be reached on foot

Cala Canyelles (Lloret de Mar)Did you know that some of the most impressive cliffs on the Costa Brava are hidden on the northern coast of Lloret de Mar? They are those of Can Juncadella, between Cala Canyelles and Cala Morisca, a relatively unknown gem due to the lack of a coastal path that runs along them, unlike other places on the Girona coast. However, there is an even better way to discover them little by little, entering an area of great biodiversity where you can see the nesting peregrine falcon, sea tomatoes, and Posidonia meadows. And that is by kayak. From Cala Canyelles, you can book guided tours of the cliffs around the mountain of Can Juncadella, a large estate that has only had three owners, which has kept a large part of the area undeveloped.

The route will take us, taking an hour each way, to the limits of the Tossa de Mar coastline. Large stone walls with pine trees forged by the inclement weather surround us. Crystal-clear waters invite us to dive in and discover the posidonia meadows at the end of the route, on Portopí beach.

We set off from the Cala Canyelles Yacht Club, where Kayak Adventure Lloret has its base of operations. It's the small guiding and rental company run by Narcís Fors, a Greenland kayak enthusiast who specializes in showcasing the area's biodiversity. Although the Can Juncadella area is more affected by the passage of boats in the summer, during the rest of the year it's an oasis that never ceases to amaze.

Cala Canyelles is already a relatively unknown gem, where you shouldn't be distracted by the summer, as there's little parking. The northernmost area, delimited by a large rock, opens the door to a small paradise where the only trace of construction is one of the houses owned by Can Juncadella, used to store the boats. We are immediately greeted by cliffs and narrow passages between rocks, surrounded by sea tomatoes.

The first stop is at the Cueva de las Falsías, as the swallows are also known. It is explained that it was once common to find them. It is a space about six meters deep where it is possible to enter with the kayak to discover it. The rest of the route to Cala Morisca is rocks and more rocks where anywhere you want to jump into the sea. In one you can imagine the shape of a horse, in another the shape of an eagle... Let your imagination run wild.

At the end of the municipality of Lloret we find Cala Morisca. You have to look carefully because it is a small inlet in the land. It seems incredible that this small idyllic spot, a cove only 40 meters long and 10 meters wide, with grainy sand and no services, where you can only access on foot after going down some steep stairs, was in 1988 the epicenter ofone of the largest anti-drug operations on the Costa Brava.

A drug trafficker, Jacques Antonine Canavaggio, who at one time became known as the "hashish baron," created two underground tunnels—one 40 meters long and the other 50—with roots and a metal wagon, which served to transport the heavy objects to a large storage cave from which trucks had to be loaded.

Now, only memories remain of this past. Visiting the area on foot is complicated. The Can Juncadella coastal path remains blocked due to a dispute with the property owner that is currently being resolved, according to sources from Lloret de Mar Town Hall. Meanwhile, the coastal path heading south from Platja Gran has been perfectly renovated for a year and allows us to walk to the pristine beaches of Lloret de Mar that border the municipality of Blanes.

Back in Cala Canyelles, the Gammarús Restaurant & Beach Club offers an ideal place to relax and recharge. They specialize in rice dishes, seafood, fish, and cocktails. You can also book a table at their pool. They also offer van transfers so you don't have to worry about finding parking. If you go, don't forget to enjoy their magnificent "cascara" dish, perfect for nibbling on while surrounded by plants on their terrace overlooking the sea.