Cau del Duc

Cau del Duc is a prehistoric rock shelter set on the southern slope of Santa Caterina hill, part of the Montgrí massif, right above the town of Torroella de Montgrí. Its wide opening, visible from the town center, sits roughly 200 meters above sea level, just a short climb below the summit ridge.

What will you find inside?

Cau del Duc is a rock shelter rather than a sprawling cave system, and its significance lies in what it reveals about the deep past rather than in its size. The site was first inhabited around 300,000 years ago, during the Lower Paleolithic, making it one of the oldest known traces of human presence in Catalonia. Groups of hunter-gatherers used it as shelter and as a base for hunting animals from the massif and the neighboring Baix Ter plain — mainly horses, though archaeologists have also uncovered bones of elephant, rhinoceros, bear, and lynx. Stone tools and charred animal bones found at the site show that its early inhabitants already knew how to control fire.

The first paleontological excavations took place in 1922, led by Lluís Pericot and Matías Pallarés, who recovered around fifty stone tools now kept at the Archaeological Museum of Barcelona. Further research in the 1970s, carried out by the Archaeological Association of Girona, confirmed the site dates to the Middle Pleistocene. Cau del Duc is today listed in Catalonia's Inventory of Archaeological and Paleontological Heritage.

The name comes from "duc," the Catalan word for eagle owl — a bird of prey once common across the Montgrí massif but now almost entirely gone from the area.

How do you get there?

A hiking trail starts in Torroella de Montgrí and climbs the steep slope of the massif toward the Santa Caterina summit. It's part of the network of popular Montgrí walking routes and is often combined with a visit to the nearby Castell del Montgrí. The round trip typically takes between an hour and a half and two hours, depending on pace and fitness. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended, since parts of the path are rocky and uneven.

When should you visit?

Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions, with mild temperatures and clear views over the Baix Ter plain and the Costa Brava coastline. In summer, the exposed, south-facing slope can get very hot, so an early morning start is advisable. Winter brings quieter trails, which suits visitors who prefer solitude on the way up.

Frequently asked questions

Can you actually go inside the cave? Cau del Duc is an open rock shelter accessible from the outside — it's not an enclosed cave system requiring caving gear.

Do you need a guide? Not necessarily — the trail is well marked, though local guides in Torroella de Montgrí occasionally run themed walks focused on the prehistory of the Montgrí massif.

Are there other attractions nearby? Yes — the medieval Castell del Montgrí sits closest to the site, and the historic center of Torroella de Montgrí is well worth exploring once you're back down from the trail.

Is the hike suitable for children? The approach is fairly steep, so it's worth judging a child's stamina beforehand — older kids used to hiking should have no trouble with it.