Transfer Option:

Day 1: ARRIVAL
Pick up from the airport in Barcelona at 6:30 PM. After a 1.5 hr drive north you will be driven up a winding track to the riding center, an 11th century Farmhouse perched high up on a ridge overlooking the Pyrenees. Here you will meet the family, the guide and the team. At dinner the guide will go over the week’s program and you will be  taught about the special characteristics of our Andalusian trail horses. You will have an opportunity for a one-on-one conversation designed to find every rider their perfect horse. Finally you will discover how to play the ´Champagne Rules’ which is that when anyone is found guilty of holding up the ride at any point, they will have to buy a bottle of local cava for the group that evening, making for lively dinners!

Day 2:  THE JOURNEY BEGINS
Having tacked up we set off down into the valley of the river Fluvia, Girona´s largest river, and following a gushing stream we canter across the plains and into the spectacular gorge of Sant Aniol. This is the beginning of a historic smuggling trail between France and Spain. We stop for our picnic next to a big river pool, underneath an impressive Romanesque bridge. Excellent for a refreshing swim before lunch. This spectacular scenery is the gateway to the region of the Alta Garrotxa, one of the region's most beautiful natural parks. High up in the mountains surrounded by huge oaks, we stable the horses and return to the inn for a delicious dinner and a well earned rest.

Day 3:  BEGET
In the morning we leave the gorge with its sculptured rock formations and we ascend higher into the mountains. We ride through Talaxa, a typical mountain village with an impressive Romanesque church. From here we have spectacular views of "La Costa Bona", our goal for this journey, Queen of the Pyrenean peaks and which we can discern in the far distance. After a walk down into the next valley we eat a delicious picnic next to a little river. This is an ideal spot to swim with your horse. In the evening we arrive at Beget, a beautiful mountain village, nestled amidst the gentle mountain scenery. This village maintains all of its original charm, famous for its Romanesque church, original tower and its Black Madonna, a gem of Romanesque architecture. Our hotel for the night is El Forn, once the village bakery it is now a well known restaurant in the region! Famous for the nouvelle cuisine of the local Catalan dishes and the local mountain wine is excellent!

Day 4:  UP TO THE HIGHEST PEAKS
Today after the best breakfast you have ever had we continue our journey riding through  the beech forests and meadows carpeted in wild flowers. The local farmhouses are huge constructions build by the local aristocracy and wealthy Barcelona merchants in the 16th century. Again the Catalonian's Romanesque architecture is ever present in the arches, doors, windows and churches of this region, making for wonderful photography!
Our destination is the village of Espinavell, another small smugglers village untouched by the passing of time, just 5 kilometres from the French border. We stay in a family run mountain hotel with the beautiful presence of "La Costa Bona" in the background. The specialty of this restaurant is its delicious Jamon Serrano and Ratafia, the home made local liquor!

DAY 5:   WHERE THE EAGLES FLY
Today we will be riding up into the highest mountains of our journey. After an early start, we begin to climb a winding track alongside a river. Soon we leave the track- up here it is only rolling mountain meadows and wild flowers where we enjoy some very nice canters and gallops! The views are immense and breathtaking and the light is that of the Pyrenees. We pass herds of cows and horses grazing up here for the summer. Up here it is very common to see eagles, vultures and herds of wild goats and deer.
After days of riding in the countryside it is nice to arrive in Camprodon, a lively market town, favored by the Catalan aristocracy in the past. A great opportunity to do some shopping and visit the local bars. The hotel is situated right in the center and the restaurant is famous for its meat and fish dishes. The best paella you have ever eaten with a wonderful mixture of mountains and sea- meat and fish together!

Day 6:  THE MEDIEVAL VILLAGE OF OIX
The journey continues… we sadly leave Camprodon with its lovely squares and art nouveau buildings. Following a river we pass by the local textile factories that have seen former days of glory and up onto the ridges. Here we go onto spectacular mountain plateaus, where the views are immense and the terrain is good for galloping. On a good day you can see kilometers upon kilometers of coast.
In the evening we will arrive in the village of Oix, another charming mountain village, with a magnificent castle, narrow winding streets and lovely cafes.
Here we will settle the horses for a well deserved rest after a long and rewarding day. We will go by car to the home base for another delicious diner.

Day 7:  RETURN
The peaks of the Alta Garrotxa are all around us. The air is poignant with the smell of wild herbs and Mediterranean fragrances. In the far distance we can make out the inn, our final destination of this journey! Today the riding is lively! The strong Andalusian horses are still full of stamina, so the gallops are long and steady as we ride out across the plains, dotted with small local villages, leaving the Pyrenees behind us. Today we are happy to see the home base again after 6 days of adventure and excellent riding and good company. Finally we will have a delicious farewell dinner and toast our faithful horses and new found friends and say ¨hasta la proxima¨

Day 8:  ADIOS AMIGOS
Breakfast and departure and we hope to see each other again soon!
(Or why not continue for another week with a trail down to the sea?) 

    Subject to change

Add on a City Tour
Interested in a city tour with a local on your arrival or before coming back?
Our partners "Urban Adventures" offer half day or full day city tours with a difference!
In just a few hours they get under the skin of the city you're visiting - so you know it like a local!
Hidden Trails clients get a 10% Discount off all city tours, just use the promo code "HIDDENTRAILS" when booking your tour.


Barcelona City Tours

We recommend wearing jodhpurs, as these protect your legs from soreness of jean seams, and you will find a light-weight, cotton pair the most comfortable during the summer months.  You may want to bring two pairs.

Your riding boots should have a sole with a safe tread and be comfortable for walking, as you are certain to lead your horse on some occasions.  Paddock boots and half-chaps are the most flexible combination for comfort and leg protection than tall riding boots.

A long-sleeved shirt is recommended for protection against the sun and against scratches when riding through undergrowth. A light cotton scarf can help to avoid breathing in too much dust in dry areas. Bring sunglasses, also to protect your eyes from dust.

We strongly recommend bringing a water-bottle which can be refilled en-route; these can be carried in the saddle-bags provided.

Rain gear suitable for riding should be carried along, particularly during the months from November through April. It is essential that you bring good wet weather gear.  Although it rains very little, when it does it is normally a heavy downpour, consequently a jacket or cape and waterproof trousers are a good idea.

Good sun protection - gloves, sunscreen, and hat with a chin strap, sunglasses with straps!

A swimsuit, towel, shorts, and a windbreaker should also be taken. 

A belt pack in which to carry your camera and other small valuables during the ride is handy.

Attire on the ride daytime and evening, is strictly informal throughout, though if you are planning to visit other cities on your own later you may wish to bring dressier evening clothing.

Regular film can be obtained locally, but special sizes may not be available - bring plenty.  And make sure you have plentiful batteries.

It is a good idea to bring your own soap, since not all the hotels supply it. There will be NO  opportunity to have laundry done while on the ride.

It is best to pack in soft sided luggage rather than suitcase styles.  It is much more efficient for the staff to handle and transport!

The accommodation while out on the mountain trail is in charming local inns and small hotels, specially selected for their character and comfort as well as for their cuisine.

For the first and last nights of the trip you will stay at the horses' home-base property in the 11^th century stone farmhouse which has been lovingly restored into a rural  inn for international travelers from all walks of life.  It is tucked away in the Catalonian hills with breathtaking panoramic views over the Catalan Pyrenees.  It offers the warmest climate of all the Pyrenean range, an almost unknown corner of Spain, but once discovered  it is never forgotten.  Dating back to AD 1000, the farm draws drinking water from its own well, while electricity is generated by a solar power system and a generator.

The meals on this trip represent the great delights of the Catalan cuisine and include some of the spectacular local wines!  All meals each day are provided for you on and inclusive in the price.  Lunches will vary, sometimes you start early and return in time for lunch or you will picnic along the way.

CATALAN CUISINE: Catalonia produces an extraordinary variety of foodstuffs: wild mushrooms and game from the Pyrenees, the trinity of olives, grapes and wheat from the hilly heartland, all manner of fruits, vegetables and nuts from the irrigated lowlands, rice and fish from the river deltas and a great variety of fish and shellfish from Catalonia's 500 km of coastline.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		English, Spanish some Western
Horses:		Spanish
Pace:		Moderate with canters, some steep mountain trails with occasional leading your horse on foot, min 5 hrs per day - 18 miles per day. | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3 to 3 out of 5)    Intermediate
Riders:		Min 6 riders	Max 10 riders

Circular progressive trail. Pyrenean mountains up to 2000m. Family hotels, interesting food, spectacular scenery, no scary bits on cliffs! Steady, varied active, some walking on foot.

HORSES AND TACK
The horses used are well schooled pure or crossbred Andalusians. They have all been carefully chosen and most are between 14.2hh (150cm) and 16hh (165cm) and are of a medium build. They are sure-footed, fit, forward going, responsive to ride and well adapted to the requirements of the sometimes rough terrain.
The horses are all trained using natural horsemanship techniques which helps to create an enthusiastic, good natured horse that is keen to collaborate with its rider, and really enjoys its work.
The tack is English and trekking style and most horses are ridden in snaffles. We use English saddles and trekking saddles. Saddle bags are provided to carry items required during the day and for picnic lunches.
A great deal of time has been spent selecting and training the horses for these trekking routes. Not too boisterous to be difficult for lower level riders, yet with enough spark to make an enjoyable ride to experienced riders. The majority of the horses used are Andalusian and Andalusian crosses, interspersed with other various beautiful Spanish breeds.
The horses live outside all the year round in a herd to helps to create a psychologically balanced animal well adapted to the necessities of trail riding and group riding. The herd of horses naturally adapts well to the rhythm of a trail ride, traveling up to 30km a day from place to place as a wild herd would do when looking for food and water.
Daily return to the center at the trail's end. Varied scenery, ride to rural villages, swim in the river pools, mini trail taster, tapas. Local culture, trip to Girona, the old city.

Full inventory of our rides in Catalonia: Catalonia Rides Comparison

THE RIDING AND PREPARATION
As with all rides, to participate in these trips you must be a reasonably competent rider (English style). You should be well balanced, comfortable and secure in the saddle and able to control a well-schooled horse outside at all paces. Riders are expected to be able to cope with a variety of different going and different types of terrain. All the rides are aimed at reasonably capable riders, who are also fairly fit and riding regularly.
Participants are expected to ride regularly in the months before they go to ensure they can cope with the hours in the saddle. There are also places on the rides where you will need to dismount and lead your horse - if the ground gets rough or steep, and for a short time to warm the horses up and cool them down each day. Riders are expected to groom and tack up their own horse each day in preparation for rides.
Your guide will go over the week's program when you first arrive (usually at dinner on the first night), explaining the special characteristics of the Andalusian trail horse and of the tack used, then discussing each rider's ability, experience and their preference as to the kind of horse they would like to ride.

As the rides on some days are up to 6+  hours in the saddle, we highly recommend that you ride regularly for at least 2-3 months before your departure, and that in the fortnight beforehand you go on at least two or three longer rides of 3 or 4 hours in length. Try also to get yourself in a state of reasonable general fitness.

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Passports held by EU nationals need only be valid upon entry to and exit from Spain. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
Spain is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Visas
Not required by nationals of EU countries regardless of purpose and/or length of stay; 2. not required by nationals of other countries referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.
Visa Note
Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements