Riudarenes – Culture, Nature and Trails

Riudarenes is home to the Església de Sant Martí de Riudarenes. The present building dates from the 16th and 17th centuries, while its bell tower dates from the 18th century.

Culture and History

On 3 May 1640, the Església de Sant Martí de Riudarenes was burned down and ravaged by soldiers of the Terç de Moles during the uprising; this uprising sparked the Reapers’ War. The present building was constructed in the second half of the 17th century.

The building’s history can be read in several surviving details. The square granite entrance portal belongs to the Baroque design, while the building inscription bearing the year 1730 preserves another clearly dated trace of the building.

At the site of Castell d’Argimon, the remains of a square, eight-metre-high tower and the original 11th-century chapel have been preserved. It is a Romanesque chapel with two naves, a semicircular apse and remnants of wall paintings.

Castell d’Argimon thus brings together surviving architectural elements of various kinds: the tower survives as a square remnant, while the chapel retains its Romanesque plan with two naves and the apse. Remnants of the wall paintings have also survived.

Nature

The protected area of the Riera de Santa Coloma, together with the agricultural use of the flatter areas, forms a landscape of significant natural importance.

Riudarenes lies on a migration route used by white storks.

The landscape therefore includes both the protected Riera de Santa Coloma and the agriculturally used flatter areas. Its location on the white stork’s migration route adds another specifically identified feature to this natural environment.

Trails

The Camí dels Segadors is 17 kilometres long, linear and classified as easy. It connects the first foothills of the Guilleries near Santa Coloma de Farners with the La Selva plain near Vidreres. Its route passes through Riudarenes, Sils and Vidreres.

Riudarenes also has a network of health-promoting trails with short, medium and long routes.

The Parc Urbà de Salut de Riudarenes (Centre Cívic) is designated as an urban health park in Riudarenes.

The local trails complement the linear connection of the Camí dels Segadors with routes of varying lengths. The Parc Urbà de Salut is designated as a separate urban health park, while the trail network includes short, medium and long health-promoting routes.

Castell d’Argimon is located on Argimon Hill in the western part of the municipality of Riudarenes and can be reached from the hamlet of l’Esparra via an easy, well-maintained forest track.

Castell d’Argimon has a viewpoint offering wide-ranging views across the entire La Selva region.

The Centre a la Selva mountain-bike circuit is part of a regional trail network. This network is considered to be well maintained and properly signposted. The route can be started in any municipality along its course.

The mountain-bike circuit is therefore documented as being integrated into the regional trail network and as having the maintenance and signage described above. Its route can also be joined from any municipality participating in this network.

Other places: Celrà, Vilanant, Vilanova de la Muga, Juià, Les Olives, Ultramort, Sant Miquel De Fluvià, Amer

To the main travel overview: Girona.