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Mediterranean Coastal Hike into Catalonia
Catalonia
Spain
A special walking holiday for the outdoor and adventure enthusiast crossing the border between France and Spain, into Catalonia where the foothills of the Pyrenees fall into the beautiful Mediterranean sea. The Vermilion Coast (C´te Vermeille) and the Costa Brava form the most dramatic part of the Catalan coastline; stretching from Perpignan in France to Tarragona, just south of Barcelona in Spain. Set against terraced vineyards on the surrounding hillsides, turquoise waters ebb and flow in small rocky coves & sleepy little ports that once thrived on sardine and anchovy fishing. The harbor towns of Collioure (the birthplace of Fauvism painting), Banyuls, Port de la Selva and Port Creus, are some of the highlights in this region where the kings of Mallorca once had their summer residences. Walking on a route we have carefully selected, you will experience all the region has to offer by way of sun, sea, mountains and the lovely fragrances of the Midi. For 7 days you will follow the coast, allowing you the chance to swim the warm Mediterranean waters every day. Welcome to the land of Catalonia,
well-known for its plethora of festivals; where locals dance the
“Sardane”, hand-in-hand in the streets wearing handmade canvas
espadrilles. The undulating hills protecting these ancient port towns
still respect a long wine-growing tradition, producing a lively peppery
wine that delights the palate and compliments the unique Catalonia
seafood dishes. This is also the region in which Dali grew up, and as
you progress in your walk, you too will discover the landscapes that
inspired him and see the house in which he was born. In addition, you
have the opportunity to visit two museums dedicated to his life and
works. On all days and nights of the trip, you are guaranteed maximum comfort and excellent gastronomy. Unwind, relax and enjoy!
- Stroll along the magnificent Catalonia coast, passing sleepy fishing villages & idyllic sandy coves.
- Witness the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Monastery of St Pere de Rhode.
- Discover 2 cultures in one trip; French and Spanish!.
- Relax and enjoy some of the region’s culinary offerings.
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Walking Tour
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Meeting:
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Collioure, ends in Cadaques
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Airport:
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Girona, Barcelona
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Transfer:
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
Max
12 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF) 
Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2012
Rates include:
Accommodations in hotels and guesthouses with private bath. Breakfast and most dinners. Luggage transferred from hotel to hotel. Detailed Walking Notes. Map.
| A | 2012 | 7 day hike, MAP | 7d / 6n | €765 | $1025 |
| Single supplement | €165 | $225 |
| Small group supplement (1 only) | €75 | $100 |
| Additional nights along the route pp (dbl) | €85 | $115 |
| Additional nights along the route Single | €110 | $150 |
Group Leader goes FREE with group of 8+
Transfer Option:
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2012
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Meeting in Collioure (France) - trip ends in Cadaques (Spain)
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Trip starts in Collioure (France) and ends in Cadaques (Catalonia, Spain)
Fly into Girona or Barcelona and take the train to Collioure. At the end of the trip take the bus back to Girona.
Tour Dates for 2012
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| A |
2012
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01/01
- 06/30
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7d / 6n
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7 day hike, MAP
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2
/12
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Reserve
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| A |
2012
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09/01
- 01/11
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7d / 6n
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7 day hike, MAP
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2
/12
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Reserve
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Rates do not include:
Lunches, first and last night dinners, drinks. Airport transfers.
We have carefully selected a route from the Vermilion coast in France to the Costa Brava in Spain that offers sun, sea, mountains and the lovely fragrances of the Midi. At each stage, you are guaranteed maximum comfort and excellent gastronomy. Every evening, you can relax in a friendly and comfortable hotel, typical of this region. Unwind, relax and enjoy!
Day 1 – Coming to Collioure*
After your flight to Girona or Perpignan, you will travel to Collioure – a picturesque old fishing village. We will book you into our specially selected 2-star hotel in the heart of town, close to all facilities and 5 minutes from the sea. You may witness the boisterous local card game of “belotte” here!
Town (France): Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: 2* hotel with character in the centre of the town, en-suite. A/C. Close to the beach.
Day 2 – Tour Madaloc.
Today you have 2 options:
Option 1 -- Madaloc [6h, 15km, +/-656m]. It is a long ascent to the Tour Madeloc (656m), but there are plenty of places to have a break and admire the beautiful “Cote de Vermeille” (Vermilion Coast). Coming down along the famous GR10 (a long-distance trail that crosses the Pyrenees), you can admire the small creeks, hidden beaches and turquoise waters.
Option 2 -- Cap Bear [6h, 15km, +/-230m]. First we climb to the old “Fort Sant Elme” to admire the coastline. Then it’s a rocky walk along the cliffs of the Cap Bear to the massive light house. The rest of the walk is through the vineyard. In Banyuls, a village at the foothills of the Pyrenees, don’t miss the aquarium, the local sweet wine and of course a swim!
Town (France): Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: 2* hotel “Logis de France”, 5mins from the beach. The restaurant has an excellent reputation & it has 2-star Michelin rating. Room en-suite. A/C.
Meal: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 3 – The border [5h, 13km, +437m -437m].
From our village at sea level, we walk up to the Pic Joan (437m), for a magnificent view of the coastline. Here we are only a couple of metres from Spain! Going down through the vines and scrub, we arrive in Portbou in the afternoon, just in time for a swim in the clear Mediterranean waters! Not to be missed in Portbou – the “@rt Cafe” to drink freshly squeezed orange juice!
Town (Spain): Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: 2* hotel overlooking the sea. The Manager, Montserat, has a very impressive collection of masks from Bali. They are exhibited in the hall. Room en-suite. A/C.
Meal: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 4 – The Coves [5h, 12km +202m, -202m]
Today is probably one of the most enjoyable days of the trip. We start by ascending to Colle de Frare (202m), to get a clear view of the Spanish coastline with its white, sandy beaches. First we follow a balcony trail, then descend to the lovely beach of Colera where you can stop for a drink. From here it’s an easy walk under the pine trees past little sandy coves with azure waters!
Town (Spain): Llanca; Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: Family-run 2* hotel, the friendliest place in all of Catalonia! Great port-side restaurant. Room en-suite. A/C.
Meal: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 5 – St Pere de Rhode [5h, 12km +570m,-570m].
A fantastic walk up to the Monastery of “St Pere de Rhode”, dominated by San Salvador peak (670m). Descend along the scenic ridge of Serrat de la Gerra – the shade of the trees overhead will keep you cool! Tonight will be spent in the very relaxing Port de la Selva. Note: It’s also possible to shorten the day by walking along the coast [2h]
Town (Spain): Internet, ATM, shop, all facilities.
Hotel: Excellent 3* hotel in the heart of the town, close to the beach. Room en-suite. A/C.
Meal: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 6 – Cap Creus [6h30, 22km +210m,-210m]. Today we walk in the “Cap Creus Natural Park”, through rugged maquis scrubland. You will have plenty of chances to stop for lunch & for a swim later! En-route you will pass close to the house of Dali in Port Lligat. Tonight we stay in the lovely fishing village of Cadaques, the most pleasant place to stay in the Northern Costa Brava.
Note: it’s possible for you to shorten the day by taking a taxi from Cap Creus directly to Cadaques [16km, 5h45, around €20]
Town (Spain) : Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: Modern & comfortable 3* hotel with outdoor pool, large garden and tennis court. Located in heart of the town, close to the beach. Rooms en-suite.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 – Cadaques. End of the adventure*.
After breakfast we bid you farewell. You will have plenty of time to visit the beautiful bay of Cadaques today, and the Oliguera peninsula, or you can also visit the Dali Museum in Figueres before going back to the airport.
Meal: Breakfast
--Subject to changes!
Luggage is transported by us from hotel to hotel. During the walk, you only need to carry your day pack!
Meeting:
Collioure, ends in Cadaques
Airport:
Girona, Barcelona
Train station:
Collioure train station
Trip starts in Collioure (France) and ends in Cadaques (Catalonia, Spain)
Fly into Girona or Barcelona and take the train to Collioure. At the end of the trip take the bus back to Girona.
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Tack:
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--
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Horses:
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--
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Pace:
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Level:
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(2
to
3
out of 5) Moderate
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
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Max
12 riders
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Unspoilt Nature & Inspiring Paths
The route you’re about to embark upon will take you through the most beautiful landscapes and panoramic viewpoints of the region. This route has been selected based on walking interests, together with special interests such as cultural features along the way. Once you have begun your walking holiday, you will very quickly realise that walking is an amazing way to discover an area, getting up close to its flora and fauna, with all your senses awakened in the fresh air. You’ll feel healthier from the very first day!
Take the time to wander along a sinuous path at your own pace, with as many breaks as you like. Breathe deeply, feel the wind, taste the air and smell the aroma of adventure.
Your luggage will be transported for you
Every day, we take care of your luggage so it will be waiting for you when you arrive at the next hotel.
During the day, you can comfortably walk with a day pack of about 4 kg. We believe that walking with a light pack provides you with a level of comfort that ensures you really enjoy your walk.
If you reserve the picnic option, your hotel will provide you with a picnic lunch before you set off on your walk that morning. You can stop at your own leisure to eat a well-deserved and substantial meal. You can then continue at your own pace, indulging in a siesta or perhaps going for a swim, before arriving at your next hotel.
What happens in case of emergency?
The most important thing is your Safety and we are committed to that. We
give you an emergency phone number that is available 24/7.
What kind of walking notes do you provide?
3 weeks before the
departure date of your trip, we’ll send you a Holiday Pack. This pack
contains all the information about your holiday, including the walking
notes and maps. These walking notes are extremely detailed, describing
the route on a “step-by-step” basis. Our notes are checked regularly and
updated accordingly. In addition, we welcome customer feedback on our
walking notes.
Maps are the best available on the market in terms of design and visual
bearings. Their level of detail is usually 1/25000 or in some case
1/50000, which are excellent scales for walking.
Will I get Lost?
For Self Guided trips, we provide you with a
detailed dossier, walking notes together with a map, usually at the
1/25000 scale, or else at 1/50000. Therefore it is virtually impossible
to get lost! Our routes follow mostly marked paths. If the choice of
path is not obvious at any one time, we encourage our customer feedback
and amend our walking notes accordingly.
How heavy will my day pack be?
Your backpack during the day
will be very light, consisting only of water, a packed lunch, sun
glasses, sun cream, rain gear and a warm jumper (plus any extra items
that are at your discretion, like binoculars for example). When you
arrive at your hotel, your luggage will be waiting for you and you get
the chance to freshen up before an excellent meal in the restaurant that
evening. In summary, we believe that the comfort you gain by walking
with a light pack (only about 4kg) enables you to take more pleasure
from the day, enjoying the views, breaking easily to contemplate the
flowers or the animals. Also, this makes walking holidays possible for
people who can’t or don’t want to carry heavy loads.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
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 onl. more
 Average Temperaturs in C  Average Rainfall
This is a guideline only:
Essentials Luggage – the baggage allowance is one item (maximum 20kg) per person.
Daypack (15-20 litres)
Good walking shoes with ankle support
Plenty of spare pairs of socks – hiking socks for walks and regular socks for evenings
Appropriate pants for hiking, i.e. not jeans
Light shoes (for evening)
Long pants for hiking
T-shirts or short sleeved shirts
Long sleeved shirt
Polar fleece
Warm hat and sun hat
Sunglasses
Toiletries – toothbrush, toothpaste, soap etc
Water bottle
Sun cream (preferably sweat/water resistant and of a high factor)
Plastic bags
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
..view other reports for different trips
Comfortable accommodation & traditional food...
After your day’s walk, what better than to arrive in a warm and welcoming hotel? We select hotels and other accommodation based on their comfort, facilities and character.
Usually, you will arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon, giving you plenty of time for a rest, a refreshing shower, a visit to the local village etc.
You can enjoy all the things that make for a relaxing holiday and top it off with a traditional meal in your hotel, prepared with the best fresh, regional products. We always give preference to hotels with their own restaurant and chefs, and those awarded with a quality label and/or recommended by recognized guidebooks. Obviously, hotels and restaurants are dependent on local infrastructures and the above applies to the vast majority of our holidays. Sometimes we even arrange the route so that it passes by a hotel that we particularly like. However, it could happen that on a particular walking holiday or a specific stage, the accommodation, while clean and friendly, will be more basic.
If the hotel described is
not available, we will provide you with alternative lodgings of the same
standard and price.
Meals
are on a half board basis. Lunch can be either taken in a restaurant
along the way or picnic lunches can be purchased in the local food shops
in the villages. Either way, we recommend that you take some food with
you during your walk!
Day 1 – Collioure
Town (France): Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: 2* hotel with character in the centre of the town, en-suite. A/C. Close to the beach.
Day 2 – Banyuls
Town (France): Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: 2* hotel “Logis de France”,
5mins from the beach. The restaurant has an excellent reputation &
it has 2-star Michelin rating. Room en-suite. A/C.
Meal: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 3 – Portbou
Town (Spain): Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: 2* hotel overlooking the
sea. The Manager, Montserat, has a very impressive collection of masks
from Bali. They are exhibited in the hall. Room en-suite. A/C.
Meal: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 4 – Llanca
Town (Spain): Llanca; Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: Family-run 2* hotel, the friendliest place in all of Catalonia! Great port-side restaurant. Room en-suite. A/C.
Meal: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 5 – Port de la Selva
Town (Spain): Internet, ATM, shop, all facilities.
Hotel: Excellent 3* hotel in the heart of the town, close to the beach. Room en-suite. A/C.
Meal: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 6 – Cadaques
Town (Spain) : Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: Modern & comfortable 3*
hotel with outdoor pool, large garden and tennis court. Located in
heart of the town, close to the beach. Rooms en-suite.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 – Cadaques. End of the adventure*.
Meal: Breakfast
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Tack:
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--
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|
Horses:
|
|
--
|
|
Pace:
|
|
|
|
Level:
|
|
(2
to
3
out of 5) Moderate
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
2 riders
|
Max
12 riders
|
|
Unspoilt Nature & Inspiring Paths
The route you’re about to embark upon will take you through the most beautiful landscapes and panoramic viewpoints of the region. This route has been selected based on walking interests, together with special interests such as cultural features along the way. Once you have begun your walking holiday, you will very quickly realise that walking is an amazing way to discover an area, getting up close to its flora and fauna, with all your senses awakened in the fresh air. You’ll feel healthier from the very first day!
Take the time to wander along a sinuous path at your own pace, with as many breaks as you like. Breathe deeply, feel the wind, taste the air and smell the aroma of adventure.
Your luggage will be transported for you
Every day, we take care of your luggage so it will be waiting for you when you arrive at the next hotel.
During the day, you can comfortably walk with a day pack of about 4 kg. We believe that walking with a light pack provides you with a level of comfort that ensures you really enjoy your walk.
If you reserve the picnic option, your hotel will provide you with a picnic lunch before you set off on your walk that morning. You can stop at your own leisure to eat a well-deserved and substantial meal. You can then continue at your own pace, indulging in a siesta or perhaps going for a swim, before arriving at your next hotel.
What happens in case of emergency?
The most important thing is your Safety and we are committed to that. We
give you an emergency phone number that is available 24/7.
What kind of walking notes do you provide?
3 weeks before the
departure date of your trip, we’ll send you a Holiday Pack. This pack
contains all the information about your holiday, including the walking
notes and maps. These walking notes are extremely detailed, describing
the route on a “step-by-step” basis. Our notes are checked regularly and
updated accordingly. In addition, we welcome customer feedback on our
walking notes.
Maps are the best available on the market in terms of design and visual
bearings. Their level of detail is usually 1/25000 or in some case
1/50000, which are excellent scales for walking.
Will I get Lost?
For Self Guided trips, we provide you with a
detailed dossier, walking notes together with a map, usually at the
1/25000 scale, or else at 1/50000. Therefore it is virtually impossible
to get lost! Our routes follow mostly marked paths. If the choice of
path is not obvious at any one time, we encourage our customer feedback
and amend our walking notes accordingly.
How heavy will my day pack be?
Your backpack during the day
will be very light, consisting only of water, a packed lunch, sun
glasses, sun cream, rain gear and a warm jumper (plus any extra items
that are at your discretion, like binoculars for example). When you
arrive at your hotel, your luggage will be waiting for you and you get
the chance to freshen up before an excellent meal in the restaurant that
evening. In summary, we believe that the comfort you gain by walking
with a light pack (only about 4kg) enables you to take more pleasure
from the day, enjoying the views, breaking easily to contemplate the
flowers or the animals. Also, this makes walking holidays possible for
people who can’t or don’t want to carry heavy loads.
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
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No/2 |
| Canadian |
No/2 |
| USA |
No/2 |
| Other EU |
No |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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Mediterranean Coastal Hike into Catalonia
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