Pyrennean Sea Trail

Introduction
Catalonia Spain
From the highland of the Pyrenees to the wild beaches of Costa Brava.

We start our trail at Girona Pyrenees, where we enjoy the beautiful mountain landscapes and then enter into the leafy forests of Garrotxa. Our ride then continues through the Empordà, formerly known as the ground of wine and olive grove. Finally, we arrive to the beach where we can admire the beauty of the coast and spend some time relaxing by the Mediterranean Sea.

Along the way, food-enthusiasts will be able to feast on Pyrenean veal, fish and seafood from the Costa Brava all marinated as usual, accompanied by delicious local wines.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride so you will be staying in different locations each night.

Description
The accommodations while out on the trail are in charming local inns and small hotels, specially selected for their character and comfort as well as for their cuisine.
Each room comes with a private bathroom and free Wi-Fi access.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel in Setcases
Night 2: Forn de Beget in Beget
Night 3: Bungalows in Camping Bassegoda Park
Night 4: Cal Rajoler in Perelada
Night 5: Hotel Beri in Llançà
Night 6: Hotel El Ranxo in Cadaques


Hotel La Cabanya in Setcases
This small hotel offers simply decorated rooms with private facilities, TV and a great view over the surroundings. There are 15 double rooms, 2 quadruple rooms and 2 rooms that can cater to bigger groups or large families.



Guesthouse in L’Abella
The proper is a former manor house dating from 1730 with classic rural architecture. It was fully restored in 2002 and converted into a charming and quiet residence. Today it has 4 independent apartments. Each are fully equipped with one double bedroom, one triple bedroom, one bathroom, a living room, a fully equipped kitchen, TV, and fireplace.


Forn de Beget in Beget
Located in the wonderfully preserved village of Beget, this hotel offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. With no Internet, you will really be able to unwind and let time flow smoothly.


Bungalows in Camping Bassegoda Park
Next to the river Muga, the campsite is ideal to enjoy nature and its surroundings. The bungalows contain a bedroom with two single beds and a bathroom, TV, and covered porch.

Cal Rajoler in Perelada
This house full of history features a unique architecture and charming surroundings. Each room is simply decorated and equipped with free Wi-Fi, a patio with garden views and a private bathroom with shower.

Hotel Beri in Llançà
Hotel Beri is perfectly situated between the Mediterranean Sea, the Albera Natural Site, and the Cap de Creus National Park. Spacious rooms with two single beds or with a double bed equipped with private bathroom, fan, WIFI, and TV. There is a pool onsite.


Hotel El Ranxo in Cadaques
This small hotel offers 11 rooms decorated in a simple Mediterranean style. Each room features air conditiooning, heating, a TV, free Wi-Fi access and private facilities.

Room Occupancy
Single supplement is not charged for those willing to share.


Meals
All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7.

The meals on this trip represent the great delights of the Catalan cuisine and include some spectacular local wines! 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.

Lunches will vary, sometimes you start early and return in time for lunch or you will picnic along the way. 

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to dietary restrictions if given prior notice.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Tack
The tack is English and trekking style and most horses are ridden in snaffles. Saddle bags are provided to carry items required during the day and for picnic lunches.

Horses
The horses used are well schooled Spanish, Hispano-Arabians, Arabians, Anglo-Arabian, and Quarter horses. 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.
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 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.

Pace
There are many opportunities for long gallops, canters and trots. On average, we spend 6-8 hours in the saddle per day, covering 20-40 km daily. We will be riding for 5 days.

Guides
The main guide will be Xavi, an experienced and talented rider, always accompanied by an English speaking back up guide.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
You will arrive to Setcases, in the Pyrenees, a typical and small Catalan village in the middle of the mountains with stone houses. Before dinner, we will go over the week's program. You will be told about the special characteristics of our Andalusian trail horses. You will be given an introduction to the week´s program with an opportunity for a one-to-one conversation designed to find every rider their perfect horse. Then, you can enjoy a fantastic dinner!
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Setcases

Day 2 (Monday): From the Pyrenees
The trail will start from our stables in L'Abella, going into the Pyrenean direction to Salarsa valley characterized with large-scale landscapes and plenty centenarian oaks. We will descend to Sant Valenti de Salarsa church with captivating Romanesque work and continue downhill in a valley to the road between Beget and Oix.
Riding: 6-8 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Forn de Beget in Beget

Day 3 (Tuesday): Up to the highest Peaks
Today we saddle up and ride out through the mountains. During the morning we pass through the scented oak forests above beautiful ravines that so characterize this mountainous region known as the Alta Garrotxa. We will ride towards Vall d’Hortmoier, passing some gorges that will allow the riders to have a bath. We will cross the Llerca Riover and continue up to the Talaxà peak, a picturesque place with an old quarter from where we will be able to see the route of the day before and to enjoy a snack. From this point, we will start the descent to Vall de Sadernes, where we will have to walk for 1 kilometer. We will arrive to the Sant Aniol River where we will be able to enjoy a bath (without the horses). We will go back up to Coll de Bassegoda. After half an hour, we will enjoy our picnic in a 1.200 m height plain. We will continue on the top of a mountain range and will descend to Albanyà through dense holm-oak woods, steep mountains, and amazing views of la Garrotxa. Tracks and paths will lead us to the Muga River, which we will cross to arrive at Albanyà, a land of orchards, forests and hunting.
Riding: 6-8 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Bungalows in Camping Bassegoda Park

Day 4 (Wednesday): Swimming with the horses
Route with walks, trots, canter and enough gallops. A day of lively riding and excitement, because we are going to swim with the horses in a lake. An unforgettable experience! Meeting for breakfast and preparing the route will be as usual. We will leave Albañá and go down along the Muga River. We will stop at Boadella Lake surrounded by a breathtaking mountainous scenery for a refreshing swim with the horses. Always a pleasure for both people and horses! Afterwards we get back to our route, this time we cross the GR2 with its typical landscape of Alt Empordà full of vineyards and olive groves as well as the vegetation of Albera Natural Park. This natural area is perfect to observe the pass from the mountain range and the most typical landscape to the Mediterranean metamorphous rocks made of schist and clay shale, both of these essences grow in a special terrain. We will arrive at Perelada, a gorgeous medieval village, famous because of its “cava” (sparkling wine). We will be able to stroll around Perelada and even to try our luck at the village’s Casino.
Riding: 6-7 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Cal Rajoler in Perelada

Day 5 (Thursday): L’Albera and coastal vineyards
Today we leave the mountains and ride through the Albera and the coastal area of Costa Brava towards the sea. From Peralada we will head to Llançà, a nice little historical village built close to the sea but quite hidden inland so it was easier for the inhabitants to protect themselves back in the 9th century! The medieval ages church and tower are the two characteristic monuments to be seen anywhere from the village. Our hotel is in the old city center and a nice 20-minute stroll to the beach. Llançà has the great amount of 23 beaches so you will sure find one you will love.
Dinner and accommodation.
Riding: 6-8 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Beri in Llançà
 
Day 6 (Friday): To the sea!
Today, we will ride out of Llança in order to take our horses to a cute little bay where we can enjoy a nice swim with the horses. Then, we are going to enjoy an amazing ride along the wild coast to reach the Lighhouse, the most oriental spot of the entire country.
We will be transferred by car to Cadaqués, a picturesque fishing village and a meeting point for some of the most famous Boehme artists such as Salvador Dalí, Paul Eualrd, Pablo Picasso and many others.
Free time, farewell dinner and accommodation.
Riding: 6-7 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel El Ranxo in Cadaqués

Day 7 (Saturday): Departure
Breakfast and optional transfer to Barcelona.
Optional visit of Port Lligat and Dalí Museum.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Pyrennean Sea Trail

Dates Note: Custom dates possible in July and August for groups of 4+ pax

Other Info
Meeting: Abella
Airport: Barcelona
Transfer: Barcelona airport

Climate:
                                                Girona area