In the morning, we continued our journey from Andorra towards the Spanish coast, chasing warmer weather. The route took us through stunning mountain passes and past ancient castles, standing majestically on rugged hilltops. The road was narrow and winding, but the Grand California navigated it effortlessly – as long as we observed the speed limits and concentrated on driving.
Tunnel Height Test
However, en route, we encountered a moment where despair nearly set in. One of the narrow roads on our route passed under an arch-shaped railway tunnel, whose sign indicated a maximum height of 2.8 meters. This was a problem – our vehicle's height was 3.1 meters, meaning it shouldn't fit through.
We pulled over to the side of the road to assess the situation. We had been driving on this small road for hours, and if we couldn't get through the tunnel, the alternative route would prolong our journey by about four hours. Unfortunately, navigators don't have information about tunnel heights, so we couldn't be sure if we'd face the same problem on another route.
We decided to try. Jessika walked ahead, observing as the car slowly glided through the tunnel. Eventually, we made it through to the other side without issues – there was still plenty of space between the roof and the tunnel. Apparently, the stated height was measured from the edges of the tunnel, where the space was lowest due to the arch.
Empuriabrava – a Deserted Coastal Destination
As we descended from the mountains, we hoped to finally reach t-shirt weather. We chose the nearest coastal destination from the map and pre-booked a campsite, as the fresh water in the car was running low and other tanks needed servicing. The advantage of Spain is that many campsites are open all year round, prices are reasonable, and at this time of year there's plenty of space – no advance bookings needed.
Our chosen destination was Empuriabrava, a coastal town that seemed like a promising place to relax. However, upon arrival, we noticed that the weather wasn't quite what we had hoped for – the sun was shining, but the temperature remained cool.
We walked around town and on the beach, but everything was closed. The town was clearly built for the bustling summer holiday season, and now in winter, hotels and restaurants were shut. Even the locals seemed to have disappeared somewhere.
Fortunately, the motorhome offered us complete self-sufficiency – we cooked our own meals and enjoyed the evening in our own privacy. Since there wasn't much to do in town, and the temperature wasn't pleasant enough yet, we decided to continue our journey along the coast towards Valencia the next morning, seeking more sun.
Towards Chulilla
The next morning, we continued our journey as planned. I had searched Google Maps for interesting nature destinations we could visit next. We decided to skip Barcelona – we had been there before and now craved the tranquility of nature rather than the bustle of a big city.
Additionally, there are risks associated with overnighting in a motorhome near large cities. Information I found online indicated that break-ins into motorhomes are quite common, especially near large cities in southern Spain. For this reason, we preferred a more secluded destination where we could explore nature and relax in peace.
Our chosen destination was Chulilla, a small mountain village near Valencia. The place seemed perfect for wild camping, and it boasted several stunning hiking trails. Chulilla is also known as a popular climbing destination, so we expected to find magnificent landscapes and rugged cliffs.
Along the way, we also had a lovely moment. We saw a local shepherd guide a huge flock of sheep across the road while we waited. It was fascinating to observe traditional shepherd culture up close – it served as a strong reminder of how different rhythms of life can intersect on the same road.
Chulilla Canyon Wild Camp
We arrived in Chulilla via the road running through the village. Immediately in the village, we noticed that the atmosphere was lively – unlike in the previous coastal town, all shops and restaurants were open here. The climbing season was clearly in full swing, and restaurants were filled with climbers and tourists.
After the village, we drove for a few more minutes to a wild camping spot we had found in advance on Park4Night. Upon arrival, the view was breathtaking – the camping site was right next to the canyon, and its rugged cliffs towered around us. This was definitely one of the most magnificent wild camping spots we had ever stayed at.
There were already many other motorhomers there, most of them clearly climbers. Although our Volkswagen Grand California was not four-wheel drive, we managed to drive it effortlessly across the dry sand to the very edge of the parking area – to the highest point, which offered the best possible view.
After parking, we prepared dinner and enjoyed our meal, admiring as the sun slowly began to set below the horizon. The evening was magical – Spanish wine, perfect silence, and the breathtaking scenery unfolding before us made the moment unforgettable.
