NOTE: Beach rides are not possible during the high season (July to September). However, we can always enjoy ocean views on our horse, and we can walk on the beach without the horses.
No riding on Sundays!
Sample Itinerary - subject to changes
Day 1: Arrival
In the afternoon, arrival at our rural farmhouse. It is located in the heart of Baix Empordà, in the middle of nature. Before enjoying dinner, we will review the program of the week. We will talk about our horses and have the opportunity to talk one by one to find the perfect horse for each rider (this individual conversation can also take place on the next day in the morning). Then, you can relax and enjoy a fantastic welcome dinner!
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at the Farmhouse in Llabià
Day 2
It is time to meet our equine companion and to get acquainted with him or
her. Today our route takes us to the sea, we will have an active morning and
afternoon, with many trots and gallops.
We will start crossing cultivated fields, until we find the Ter river, the longest
river in Catalonia that starts in the Pyrenees, we will ride in the last section
until its mouth in the Mediterranean Sea, a very flat area, which will allow us
to enjoy good gallops until you reach the fine sandy beach, where just 2
kilometers inland, are the famous Medes Islands, 7 islands, one of the best
Marine Reserves in the Mediterranean.
From here we will return, passing through the Empordà Wetlands, a coastal
natural reserve of marshes and dunes, with areas for bird watching, it is an
important refuge for migratory birds especially in spring and autumn.
We will continue our route through the agricultural flat where we will stop to
eat and rest; Along the way, we will cross some of the imposing fortified
“Masías” farmhouses, typical houses of this area that served to defend its
inhabitants from pirate attacks in the late Middle Ages.
Once back at our accommodation, we can relax on the terrace with a drink.
Day 2: Medieval Villages
Our goal for today is to discover places with history and a lot of charm. We will be passing through Fontanilles and Palau-Sator, two small towns of ancient Roman origin and medieval history from the 9th century.
On the way to the village of Peratallada we enjoy a good canter on soft paths. Peratallada is one of the most important and best preserved village of medieval Catalan architecture (8th to the 13th centuries). With beautiful streets carved in stone, here, time seems to have stopped. We will have the possibility to have a drink and walk through its streets.
On the way back home, we will make a stop in the village of Canapost, to see the well-preserved necropolis.
When we arrive at the farmhouse, we will unsaddle the horses, shower them and give them a ration of food before releasing them in the field. Then, you can enjoy the pool or a cocktail on the terrace.
Riding approx. 20 km
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at the Farmhouse in Llabià
Day 3: Ter River
Today our route takes us to the beach. We will have an active ride, with long and flat paths, allowing us to trot and canter. We will ride along the entire bank of the Ter river until we reach its meeting with the sea. “La Gola del Ter” is a beautiful beach of fine sand, close to the delta of the Ter river. The combination of fresh and salt water and the small marshes and wetlands that form, offer a very rich environment of fauna and flora. We will have time to enjoy and feel this privileged natural setting.
We will then return to home, once again by the river bank, with a feeling of tranquility.
Riding approx. 39 km
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at the Farmhouse in Llabià
Day 4: Historic Ride
After breakfast, it is time to prepare our horses and get back in the saddle. We will ride along the old lake of Ullastret, composed of sediment deposits brought from the Pyrenees by the Ter river. From here we will have a panoramic view of the island of Reixac and the Sant Andreu hill, at the other end of the lake, where important Iberian settlements were established. We will ride to these Iberian sites, where we will take a well-deserved time to visit the ruins and the interesting museum, discovering how its ancient inhabitants used to live.
Along the way we will stop to observe an ancient olive tree with a trunk of more than 4.5 meters in perimeter.
And from the past to the present, we return to our accommodation, where we will let the horses rest and enjoy a delicious meal.
Riding approx. km
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at the Farmhouse in Llabià
Day 5: Vital Artery
Today's ride will allow us to discover the places that surround the medieval villages on the left and right banks of the Ter River. We will be in continuous contact with water: river, irrigation systems and mills.
The landscape is dotted by small towns, such as Gualta and its medieval bridge from the XVI-XVII century, or Torroella de Montgrí where we will cross the river.
Heading west, towards Canet de la Tallada, we will find a republican anti-aircraft bunker from the Spanish civil war, where there was also an airfield, now transformed into a farm field. From here, we can see Canet Island, a protected reserve for wildlife, especially seabirds.
We will continue riding until we reach the village of Verges, famous for the Catalan singer-songwriter Lluis Llach and for the procession of "The Dance of Death" during Holly Week. Here, we will cross the river again.
Once at the farmhouse, we will take care of our horse and relax.
Riding approx. km
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at the Farmhouse in Llabià
Day 6: Empornadet
This morning, we will discover the so-called "Empordanet", the name that the locals give to the area of small towns in the interior of the Costa Brava. We will enjoy calm and controlled gallops on the paths of the feudal lords.
We make our way towards the village of Llabià, located on top of a hill, so we can see in advance the entire route of today. From here, we will descend to the flat agricultural area, and we will ride through fields of cereal and olive crops to Ullastret, a fortified medieval town. We will continue our route on horseback along paths and trails, forests and fields. We will also ride by Castell d'Empordà, a small town where an impressive 13th-century castle is preserved.
On the way back to the stable, we follow the Daró riverbed.
Riding approx. 30 km
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at the Farmhouse in Llabià
Day 7: Empordà
For our last riding day, we go on a ride with panoramic views of the sea, offering us extensive views of the Costa Brava. We will enjoy a quiet day with small trots and canters.
We will ride near the village of Fontanilles, with its Church as the central point and only vestige of previous times, since the Castle has disappeared over time. Riding on, we will cross Fontclara, a small and charming village surrounded by orchards, a typical image in this area. We then continue our route on horseback through quiet paths, towards St Julià de Boada, another tiny village with one of the oldest churches (10th century) of the entire region.
On the way back we will be able to go through two farms of local producers, the Ros-Roca winery of the Can Bach Restaurant and the Mooma cider house, where we will try to meet the owners, in order to taste their products.
Riding approx. km
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at the Farmhouse in Llabià
Day 8: Departure day
Breakfast and departure.... We hope to see you soon again! (Or why not continue with another week trail in the mountains?)
Meals included: Breakfast
Non Riders
Non-riding companions are welcome to join this trip. It is best to have a car in order to do some sightseeing while the rest of the group explores on horseback.