About this tour
When Ben from our team took this Tossa de Mar jeep tour, we climbed from sea level to 500 metres on rough mountain tracks through the Costa Brava hinterland — a proper off-road experience that reads very different to the usual coastal resort circuit. The 2-hour-15-minute run takes you through dense scrub and ancient paths, stopping at the Sanctuary of St. Grau and Mare de Déu de Gràcia hermitage ruins, plus a megalithic site with dolmens older than 3000 years. It's a small-group affair in open 4x4s, and the payoff is those sea-and-mountain vistas most visitors miss entirely.
Highlights
- Climb 500 metres on unpaved mountain tracks in open jeeps
- Stop at St. Grau Sanctuary, a genuine local landmark
- Visit Mare de Déu de Gràcia hermitage ruins perched high
- Walk through megalithic area with 3000-year-old dolmens
- Views where the Costa Brava coast and hills converge
- Escape the crowds — genuine backcountry feel close to towns
- Bumpy, authentic terrain; not a polished tourist loop
What to expect
Ben's day started with a briefing in Tossa and a climb into tight jeeps — expect close quarters and a proper jolt as you leave the road. The first stretch is steep and rocky, winding through pine and scrub where phone signal drops fast. You'll stop twice: once at the Sanctuary, a modest whitewashed chapel with its own story, and then at the hermitage ruins where the views open up and you can see why monks chose this spot. The final leg takes you through the dolmen fields — sparse, quiet, archaeologically intriguing. The pace is steady; you're not racing, but the terrain keeps you alert. Wind and sun exposure are real; shade is scarce up there.
The return is a reverse route, so the novelty dims slightly. By the end, Ben felt he'd genuinely seen a side of Costa Brava most beach-bound tourists skip entirely — less Instagram, more old-school exploration.
What travellers say
- Genuine backcountry vibe close to a resort town
- Mix of natural landscape, archaeology, and local history
- Small groups mean actual guide conversation
- Fuel and running costs transparent; no surprises
- Suitable for most fitness levels despite altitude climb
- Open vehicle — full sun and wind exposure throughout
- Rough terrain tough on backs; not comfortable for everyone
- Shade is almost non-existent at stops
- Early start required; may not suit late risers
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is genuinely off the tourist trail for a spot this close to Tossa. The jeep-and-ruins combo appeals to history buffs and anyone bored by standard coastal walks. The small-group format means your guide can actually talk to you, not shout over a coach engine. Fuel surcharge is included, so no surprise costs. Kids aged 3+ manage the bumps fine, though infants need adult laps.
It's an open vehicle — sun and wind will catch you. The track is legitimately rough; if you've got back trouble or hate bumpy rides, this won't feel therapeutic. No shade at stops. Early morning start means either an early alarm from your hotel or a pre-tour scramble. It's a steep climb — not technical, but your legs and core feel it. Peak season crowds are lighter than beach tours, but book ahead in summer. Not wheelchair-accessible due to terrain and vehicle type.
Bring sun cream, a hat, water, and grippy shoes. Wear layers — it's cooler at 500 metres. The jeep has a fuel surcharge built in; no hidden add-ons mentioned. Groups are small (check exact size when booking). Best shoulder seasons — spring and early autumn avoid the worst heat.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.