The best MTB trails around Tordera

Església de Sant Llop d'Hortsavinyà El document més antic on s'esmenta Hortsavinyà és del 1101, i el primer de l'església, del 1301, si bé la primitiva esglesiola podria ser del segle IX o X. La major part de l'edifici actual és del segle XVIII. Sant Llop n'és el patró (1 de setembre), i per això se celebra la festa major en aquestes dates, coincidint amb el primer diumenge del mes. I si sant Llop és el patró de l'església, santa Eulàlia ho és del poble, i pels volts del 10 de desembre se celebra la festa major petita d'Hortsavinyà. Tradicionalment, sant Llop fou l'encarregat, en la fe cristiana, de guarir el mal de coll i l'afonia, i se'l relacionava amb alguns comportaments dels llops. Tot això ens porta a cercar els seus orígens en un personatge precristià, el pare Llop, un home que convivia amb un ramat de llops a les muntanyes. Una vegada a l'any baixava a les masies a cobrar un tribut, que calia pagar si es volia evitar l'atac dels llops al bestiar i a les persones. També era creença general, segons podem llegir als bestiaris medievals catalans, que si un home veia un llop abans que el llop a ell, la bèstia restava muda per sempre més, però si era el llop qui el veia primer, qui perdia la veu era l'home. Això darrer es produïa per l'ensurt que patia la persona en trobar-se el llop. D'aquí ve la relació de sant Llop amb l'afonia. Font: XPN

Capella de Mare de Deu de l'Erola Prop de Santa Eulàlia (o Sant Llop) d'Hortsavinyà, seguint amunt pel camí GR-92, trobem l'ermita de la Mare de Déu de l'Erola. És un petit oratori de parets blanques que segons la tradició, servia de guia als pescadors que, en mirar les muntanyes, hi veien una petita taca blanca. L'edifici, molt senzill, és de planta rectangular amb volta semicircular. Al seu interior hi ha una fornícula amb una imatge de la Mare de Déu. Font: Pobles de Catalunya

Dates from the 18th century.... Built in honor of the only person who did not get sick during the smallpox outbreak that made everyone else sick. Erola, the name of the girl who did not get sick, and dedicated herself to healing all the sick. Believing that what this girl did was a miracle, they built this Hermitage for her.... Mara de Déu de la Erola. To this day, perfectly cared for and clean. The name Erola.... means..... Small esplanade at the top of the Mountain ⛰️😃

Right on the border between the river and human settlement: it wasn't placed randomly, but on a high, safe point when the Tordera River frequently overflowed. From here, fields and roads could be watched, and that's why the surroundings feel open and strategic. A good place to slow down: the terrain is more inviting for observing the valley than for pedaling hard.

A Mediterranean river, riparian forests, gravel, orchards, and wetlands that change with the seasons. This stretch showcases how nature and human activity have coexisted for centuries. A good place to stop for a moment and take in the landscape before continuing your leisurely ride, because here the river always takes precedence over the road.

Not only did it serve as a watchtower, but it also served as a rapid transmission point between castles and fortified farmhouses in the area, before regular messengers existed. It also acted as a retreat point during episodes of the French War, taking advantage of its elevated and discreet access. The base and part of the walls remain of the construction, enough to understand its strategic function in such a busy historical corridor. The place is quiet and easy to identify on route.

Beyond the usual features, what's interesting is that it wasn't just a parish church, but a key crossroads between isolated farmhouses and forest trails. For centuries it also served as a meeting place for the foresters, who used the porch to exchange warnings about snowfalls, fires, or lost livestock. Inside, remnants of badly worn mural paintings were found, indicating that it was once more important than it appears today. The surrounding area retains that secluded and remote atmosphere that has always characterized Sant Llop.

The hermitage dates back to the 16th century, although the current building is from the 18th century. It boasts breathtaking views that extend as far as Montnegre and even Blanes.