2009 Itinerary
DAY 1:
Transfer from Barcelona to Sant Jaume de Llerca and up a narrow winding track through thick forest and Mediterranean "jungle", perched high up on top of a ridge, we come to our destination. An 11th-century stone farm house with a commanding view over miles of forests and mountains to the snow capped peaks of the Pyrenees. Here you will meet the family, the guide, the cook and of course, the horses that are stabled here. At dinner the guide will go over the week’s program, you will be told about the special characteristics of our Andalusian trail horses. And then people can discus their riding experience and the sort of horse that they would like to ride.

Day 2:  SANT FERRIOL THE NAME OF THE ROSE
Today the pace is varied and exhilarating. You will enjoy the canters and the pretty mountain tracks. Today’s destination is a beautiful monastery. This is from the 16th century, a jewel of Romanesque architecture built by Cistercian monks, that conjures up scenes and the spirit of the book” the Name of the Rose”. From here we have panoramic views over the Ampurdan region out to the Mediterranean coast. After a delicious picnic lunch, we will have a pleasant ride along the ridge and back to our comfortable mountain lodge.

Day 3   BESALU THE ANCIENT CAPITAL
Our destination is the ancient capital of the Alta Garrotxa, Besalú, a medieval fortified village. A full days ride. A jewel of Romanesque architecture set between two rivers. The squares, stone cut pillars and cool shady arched passageways are a wonder to behold. Not to mention the cut glass of its churches. Here we will stop for tapas in Besalu. Ice cold beers and rich full red wine in Manolo´s bar at the village square. We will have some time to explore the village. Today's riding is quite lively with some long canters along the banks of the river Fluviá. In the evening we will ride back along the ridge for a refreshing swim in the pool at followed by another delicious dinner.

Day 4:  SAN SYLVESTRE DE LOS MIL AMORES
Today we will ride along the valley of la Miana, where it is not unusual to disturb a resting eagle and to be able to watch it soar gracefully beneath us in the valley.
We will take a break high up on a mountain at the ruined chapel of San Silvestre, a spectacular piece of Romanesque architecture.
This morning we ride through forests that are probably trodden by as few as three people in one year, a magnificent opportunity to see wild boar and deer.
Then we arrive at Can Jou for a late Spanish lunch a delicious paella and, of course, a siesta.
After lunch we will drive you down to visit Girona. The capital of the region, this little city has wonderful shady streets, beautiful architecture, the widest cathedral in Europe and great shopping.  Or you can take it easy and relax by the pool.

Day 5:  COGULERAS, THE HIDDEN VALLEY
Our destination is Coguleras, a mountain valley that reaches almost up to the hieghts of Sant Juliá del Mont at 1.000 m. We ride quietly down through a forest alongside a mountain stream, to the flood plains by the little village of Sant Jaume de Llierca. Here there are some majestic farm houses built by the nobility in the 12th century. Today you will really appreciate the strength, agility and stamina of your horse in this varied terrain. They climb like mountain goats, and fly across the the flood planes like gazelles. For lunch we climb up to the ridge of Sant Julia. Here we eat a delicious picnic in a meadow beneath a shady tree, before riding home.

Days 6 & 7:  THE TWO DAY SMUGGLERS TRAIL RIDE – to the Sadernas gauge
This is a circular ride that covers over 60kms in two days. You will ride over the immense mountain ridge of Sant Julia del Mont down to the valley of Santa Pau, this is the heart of the Garrotxas volcanic region
From the lush forests of the lodge this is a big contrast to the gently cultivated valley, dotted with small unspoilt villages untouched by the passing of time.
We will ride through the little village of El Torn set by the meandering river Ser. Having had a wander around the little alleyways and squares and admired a few old doors and a look at the church, we continue on to the picnic site by the river where we can swim and have a siesta.
Today’s destination is, the spectacular church of Sant Frutós.
Here we take care of the horses and leave them to graze in a meadow and we are driven back for a delicious super.

The Trail Continues
The next day we cross over the mountain ridge and on to the planes of the Fluvià, one of Catalonia’s biggest rivers. We ride through the picturesque village of Tortella with its magnificent church dominating the village square. Now the landscape is large open stretches and we can enjoy some more long canters and gallops to Sadernas. This is the entrance to a rocky gorge, that leads high up into the Pyrenees, the beginning of one of the most famous smuggling routes between Spain and France, an area famous for its bandit stories. Amidst this dramatic mountain scenery there is an immense Romanesque bridge over a large river pool. This is perfect for a refreshing swim before the picnic lunch. In the evening our lodge is a welcome sight at the end of the day. Here we attend to the horses and leave them happily grazing in the meadows. Then we have a farewell dinner and the cava flows, a fitting end to a fantastic week.

Day 8:  Departure after breakfast.

2010 Itinerary

DAY 1:
Transfer from Barcelona to Sant Jaume de Llerca and up a narrow winding track through thick forest and Mediterranean "jungle", perched high up on top of a ridge, we come to our destination. An 11th-century stone farm house with a commanding view over miles of forests and mountains to the snow capped peaks of the Pyrenees. Here you will meet the family, the guide, the cook and of course, the horses that are stabled here. At dinner the guide will go over the week’s program, you will be told about the special characteristics of our Andalusian trail horses. And then people can discus their riding experience and the sort of horse that they would like to ride.

Day 2:  SANT FERRIOL THE NAME OF THE ROSE
Today the pace is varied and exhilarating. You will enjoy the canters and the pretty mountain tracks. Today’s destination is a beautiful monastery. This is from the 16th century, a jewel of Romanesque architecture built by Cistercian monks, that conjures up scenes and the spirit of the book” the Name of the Rose”. From here we have panoramic views over the Ampurdan region out to the Mediterranean coast. After a delicious picnic lunch, we will have a pleasant ride along the ridge and back to our comfortable mountain lodge.

Day 3   TO THE SADERNAS GORGE
We ride through the picturesque villages of Argelaguer and Tortella with its magnificent church dominating the village square. Now the landscape is large open stretches and we can enjoy some more long canters and gallops to Sadernas. This is the entrance to a rocky gorge, that leads high up into the Pyrenees, the beginning of one of the most famous smuggling routes between Spain and France, an area famous for its bandit stories.
Amidst this dramatic mountain scenery there is an immense Romanesque bridge over a large river pool. This is perfect for a refreshing swim before the picnic lunch.

Day 4:  THE SANTA MAGDALENA RIDGE RIDE – GIRONA – TAPAS and WINE
Today we will ride along the ridge of the Santa Magdalena chapel with its medieval watch tower overlooking the Llierca valley. We ride through some very interesting forests with excellent views where it is not unusual to disturb a resting eagle and to be able to watch it soar gracefully beneath us in the valley. Then we arrive at the lodge for a late Spanish lunch, a delicious paella.
After lunch we will drive you down to visit Girona. The capital of the region, this little city has wonderful shady streets, beautiful architecture, the widest cathedral in Europe and great shopping.
Or you can take it easy and relax by the pool.
Tonight you are going to discover the typical Spanish tapas. But what will tapas be without some good wines? So we will make sure that you can taste some of the most special local wines with this delicious food. Guaranteed a memorable night!

Day 5 and 6:  THE TWO DAY TRAIL RIDE – follow the river Fluvia to medieval Besalu
This is a circular ride that covers over 35 miles in two days. During the morning we ride through the valleys of La miana and we pass the spectacular church of Sant Frutós. We are leaving the mountains. When we get to the river Fluvia, one of Catalonia’s biggest rivers. We travel along the south bank of the river Fluvia, where we stop for a picnic.
We continue through scenery of rolling hills and pine forests were it is very likely to meet herds of sheep or wild boar. At dusk we arrive at our destination, the charming village of Vilert, where we leave our horses to graze and rest. We will be driven back to Can Jou for a welcome meal with our popular house wine.
The next day we ride through walnut groves to the lovely village of Crespia. We follow the north bank of the fluvia where we can enjoy the spectacular fluvial scenery with lots of different bird species. We cover many miles in a short time through sunflower fields, open meadows and forest.
We stop in Besalu where we have a delicious picnic lunch by the river. Besalu, the ancient capital, is a jewel of Romanesque architecture set between two rivers. The squares, stone cut pillars and cool shady arched passageways are a wonder to behold. Not to mention the stained glass of its churches. You have some time to wander around and absorb the unique atmosphere of this ancient medieval village with its spectacular bridge and Romanesque architecture.
In the afternoon we ride through the scented oak forests above beautiful ravines that so characterise this mountainous region known as the Garrotxa. The views are superb with the Pyrenees in the distance to the north and the Meditranean coast to the south.
After some long canters we see the lodge, a welcome sight as we arrive in the late afternoon..
A glass or two of Cava on the terrace overlooking the mountains followed by a delicious meal is a perfect end to a marvellous journey.

Days 7:  COGULERAS, THE HIDDEN VALLEY
Our destination is Coguleras, a mountain valley that reaches almost up to the heights of Sant Juliá del Mont at 1.000 m.
We ride quietly down through a forest alongside a mountain stream, to the flood plains by the little village of Sant Jaume de Llierca where we have coffee or a sherry in the local bar. Here there are some majestic farm houses built by the nobility in the 12th century.
Today you will really appreciate the strength, agility and stamina of your horse in this varied terrain. They climb like mountain goats, and fly across the the flood plains like gazelles. For lunch we climb up to the ridge of Sant Julia. Here we eat a delicious picnic in a meadow beneath a shady tree, before riding home.

Day 8:  Departure after breakfast.

Subject to change

Introduction to Natural Horsemanship
During some weeks in February and November you can also participate in a Natural Horsemanship Clinic during your stay. Learn about and practice natural horsemanship and ´join-up´ with the horses.
This is an optional extra within the normal Catalonia Explorer Ride.
Monday evening 19.30-20.30 an introduction. The theory: How to aply this in a daily relation with your horse incorporating; educating, training, handling and communication.
Wednesday morning (instead of short ride) theory and practice of ´join-up´
With the horse that you are riding during the week.