4×4 Tossa Tour review: discovering tossa’s hidden secrets

If you travel East, following the rugged Costa Brava coastline from Barcelona for 90 minutes, you will find yourself in the tiny, but perfectly formed, medieval town, Tossa de Mar. Whilst most head to the town to explore its romantic alleys and relax on the seafront, there is another, fascinating side to Tossa that many never experience.

For those who venture beyond the seafront bars, snorkel masks and bus tours, and head into the hills of the Cadiretes massif surrounding Tossa de Mar, there is a different side of the town to discover: lush mountain scenery, incredible views, and an area steeped in history and stories.

Our family of five tried the 4×4 Tossa Tour. This is our review of what it entails, and why it should be firmly on your list of things to do in Tossa de Mar.

While you’re exploring the Catalan Coast, check out our 3-day family itinerary for Barcelona and our review of the fantastic Runner Bean family tour of the gothic quarter for more inspiration.

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What is the 4×4 Tossa Tour?

The 4×4 Tossa Tour is a guided excursion through the mountains surrounding Tossa de Mar (part of the protected Tossa de Mar biosphere), in a vintage yellow Land Rover. Each tour begins at the bus station in Tossa de Mar before heading up into the hills.

The tours are run by local firefighters, who are your expert local guides with an in-depth knowledge of the area’s history, culture, flora and fauna.

There are two options of tour available, the shorter 1 hour tour which climbs to about 300m, or the longer 2 hour tour, which we highly recommend.

1-hour tour includes:
– Local tour guide
– History of Tossa de Mar
– Flora and fauna of the national park
– Historical ruins at Mare de Déu de Gràcia, 300m above sea level

2-hour tour includes:
– Everything in the 1-hour tour
– More spectacular viewpoints (up to 500m)
– An unmissable stop at Sant Grau and insight into Bronze Age history

Important safety note: We would not recommend the Tossa Tour for pregnant women or very young children. While the experience is fantastic, the route covers very bumpy mountain roads and there are no seat belts.

What to expect: Our 4×4 Tossa Tour review

Our experience on the 2-hour 4×4 Tossa Tour.

We wait at Tossa de Mar bus station for our tour to begin. The kids’ eyes light up when they spot a canary yellow 4×4 Land Rover heading towards us. Our guide, Andreas, dries the seats from the morning’s storm and we climb aboard. This is a rustic workhorse, not a luxury vehicle, which only adds to the sense of anticipation.

We head off through town, the children waving enthusiastically to local dog-walkers and day-trippers disembarking the Moventis coach from Barcelona. Whilst the children are excited from the get-go, it takes me a few minutes to adjust to taking my children in a vehicle with no seat belts.

We soon turn into the quiet Parc de Sa Riera, a nature reserve on the banks of Tossa’s river. Instantly, all sounds are muted by the lush greenery; the only noise is the engine chugging away.

Andreas navigates up a rutted mountain path, somehow managing to drive expertly whilst turning to point out various plants along the route. Throughout the forest, we see wizened cork trees, carefully stripped of bark for the first metre or so. Andreas explains that local artisans value cork wood for the superior flavour it gives to wine, and that harvesters rotate through different areas of the forest, allowing the trees eight years to recover between harvests.

He casually steers, one hand on a gear stick patched up with red duct tape, as we climb higher and higher into the Cadiretes massif. Every rut and pothole is accompanied by squeals of delight from the children.

Amongst the cork trees, a veritable carpet of Mediterranean flora thrives in the dry soil. Lavender and rosemary bushes scent the air, mixing irresistibly with the coconut-scented flowers of spiky gorse, as yellow as our chariot. Delicate pink-purple sweet pea flowers and dark pink penstemon provide pops of colour and a feast for pollinators.

We continue through the landscape, climbing ever higher. We hear about the wild boar that roam the area and have become a pest, destroying vegetation. Within this designated biosphere, a recent project has begun trialling the reintroduction of wolves to the area.

Thirty minutes later, we reach the mid-point of our tour and the hermitage of Mare de Déu de Gràcia. The site was once used as a sanctuary for local residents hiding from passing pirates. We admire the views of sloping green forest meeting the turquoise sea, stretching along the coastline from Tossa to Giverola.

Having opted for the 2-hour tour, we continue on, passing a large wooden cross, Sa Creu de Fusta, where Andreas explains the religious tradition of barefoot pilgrimage in the area. We then continue upwards, joining a short section of road to arrive at our destination, Sant Grau d’Ardenya.

The town and church have a fascinating history and remain the end point for an annual pilgrimage every October, the only time the chapel is used.

On our visit, the chapel was closed. However, with a broad grin, Andreas beckoned us to follow him to a huge arched doorway, whereupon he produced a large set of keys and opened a tiny hidden door within the larger one. Ducking through, we are met with a treat.

Inside is a courtyard and a small restaurant, open only at weekends. We follow our guide into the chapel, which we admire whilst listening to Andreas’ stories. Being the only visitors feels like stepping into a secret world we are briefly allowed to glimpse.

From here, the tour continues along the road to the highest point in the area before descending the mountain paths towards Tossa. On the journey back, we stop at several huge rocks set into the mountainside—Stone Age dolmens and menhirs—which prompt us to wonder about those who walked these lands thousands of years ago.

One final incredible viewpoint marks the end of the adventure, before we return to the bustle of town.

Top tip: Remember to bring water as there are no facilities on the route.

Alternatives to the Tossa Tour

If you’re travelling with younger children, you may prefer some gentler activities around Tossa de Mar. There are plenty of family-friendly alternatives in the area, from coastal boat trips to guided town tours.

Check Availability & Alternative Tours in Tossa de Mar

For more inspiration, try our family guide to Tossa de Mar, which is packed with the best things to do in the area.

Short on time? If you only have one day, visiting Tossa de Mar from Barcelona is totally doable as a day-trip. Either DIY using the Moventis coach, or try a guided tour.

My final thoughts: Is the 4×4 Tossa Tour Worth it?

he Tossa Tour was our favourite experience in Tossa de Mar and a highlight of our visit.

During our tour, Andreas told us why they began the company: “We want to show people there is more to the area than pleasure boats and fish dinners.” Without this tour, we would have missed so much of what makes this part of the Catalan coast so special.

Tossa’s population swells from a mere 5,000 during the winter months to over 50,000 in peak summer. Visiting the mountains with an expert local guide is not only a fantastic way to learn more about the area, but also a welcome respite from the heat, amongst the greenery of the mountainous forest.