3 Night Self Guided Catalan Coast & Mountain Walking Holiday (Grade 1/2)

Overview

Holiday Overview:

From the coast to the mountains, from sea to crag, from sandy beach to shady Mediterranean forest – the diverse and changing natural landscapes in Catalonia exert a powerful attraction to walkers.

As self guided walking holidays go, this has got to be one of the best, you will:

• Walk along the “wild coast” with its miles of golden beaches and secluded coves.
• Walk along stunning mountain trails offering spectacular views sweeping far into the Pyrenees.
• Discover Romanesque and Gothic buildings and the region’s acclaimed gastronomy.
• Discover medieval villages.
• Visit the beautiful whitewashed coastal town of Cadaquès and the famous Salvador Dali house museum and much more......

Itinerary

Itinerary:

Catalan Self Guided Mountain and Coast Walking Holiday (3 Nights)

Nights: 3
Grade: 1-2 (click here to see our walking grades)
Terrain: farm tracks, coastal paths and mountain trails

Day 1: Arrive at Girona airport or Figueres train station where you will be transferred to your accommodation in Castello D´Empuries. Castello D’Empuries is a beautiful traditional medieval village steeped in history. There are many historical buildings to visit; however the landmark of the village, visible from afar, is the Parish Church of Santa Maria which is often called the “Cathedral of the Empordà” because of its size and Gothic influenced architecture.

Accommodation: Guesthouse, Breakfast, Castello D’Empuries. Located in the heart of the town, built on the ruins of the former home of the Count of Castello, each of the uniquely designed rooms are fitted with fully reversible air conditioning.  All have en-suite bathrooms and offer lovely views of the village.

Day 2: You will be transferred to Platja Canyelles. You will head east along the coast following a spectacular coastal trail that is destined to fulfill every walker’s hopes and dreams. You will pass many secluded beaches and coves with ample opportunities for a dip in the crystal clear sea. Eventually you will cut inland through hillsides packed with tiers of old olive groves, and finally onto Cadaqués.

Cadaqués was a favourite of both Picasso and Salvador Dalí, where Salvador Dalí once famously said in 1920: “I have spent a delightful summer, as always, in the perfect and dreamy town of Cadaqués. There, alongside the Latin sea, I have been quenched by light and colour”. (16km, 6hrs)

Note: Cadaqués is a great place for eating out; it has a good selection of restaurants ranging from small Mediterranean family run restaurants, to fresh fish restaurants, pizza cafes and tapas bars. We would recommend you try the seafood during your stay in Cadaqués – it’s always very fresh and delicious when washed down with a bottle of chilled Catalan white wine.

Accommodation: Hotel, Breakfast, Cadaqués. Very close to the beach and the centre of Cadaqués this family run hotel is simple, clean and friendly. All the rooms have en-suite.

Day 3: Leaving Cadaqués you make your way north through the heart of the famous Cap de Creus National Park. You will follow a deeply rural path with beautiful views of the Catalan countryside before arriving at El Port de la Selva.

El Port de la Selva is outstanding for its varied landscapes, its beaches and its mountains. The first historic references to the settlement go back to 974, although it did not become a fully-fledged village until the 18th century, with the construction of its first church. The village retains the charm of a small fishing village and a great many monuments and historical buildings remain, such as the Taballera Dolmen, the Serra de Rodes medieval site, made up of Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery, Sant Salvado Castle (13th century), Santa Elena Shrine, the village of Santa Creu and Sant Fruitós Church. The village has some of Catalonia’s best beaches. (12Km, 4hrs 30mins)

Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel, Breakfast, El Port de la Selva. The hotel is an old manor house from 1864 made with stones from the Cap de Creus. It’s been a hotel since 1960 and was totally refurbished in 2005, and is just a few meters from the beach. It has two restaurants (one of them in front of the sea) and a panoramic lounge.

Day 4: Pick up and transfer to Girona airport or Figueres train station.

What your holiday includes:

• Transfer to and from Girona airport or Figueres train station
• Welcome meeting with local English speaking guide
• 24/7 local support
• Three nights’  B&B accommodation
• Two evening meals (optional extra)
• Moving of luggage between accommodations
• Detailed route notes and maps
• Local maps (to be returned)
• Personal information pack including information about local history, culture, traditions, restaurants, shops and local attractions etc

What’s not included:

• Flights
• Holiday Insurance
• Beverages during evening meals (optional evening meals)
• Lunch

Other Info

Other information (what to bring etc):

What to bring:
With regards to equipment to bring, your most important item is of course a pair of comfortable walking boots with ankle supports if possible and soles that grip, as some of the terrain can be rugged at times. And, just in case . . . a waterproof, we hope you won't need it, mostly you will be walking in dry warm weather, so casual, comfortable walking clothes will generally suffice. A hat and sun protection cream is essential and a small rucksack for carrying lunch and water is also recommended, and you might consider a walking stick, as some of the ground is a little rough.

This holiday has 1 x Grade 1 walk and 2 x grade 2 walks :

Grade 1
Walks: 3-6 hours
Ascent: 50-600m
Paths: Good paths, not too steep.

Walks have a relaxed pace with time to take in the views and surroundings. If you’re a fit and active person these walks will be perfect for you.

Grade 2
Walks: 5-8 hours
Ascent: 450-750m
Paths: Good with some steeper sections

Slightly longer walks than grade 1 with routes still on good paths and at a relaxed pace although there are a couple of steeper sections.

Grade 3
Walks: 5-10 hours
Ascent: 700-1200m
Paths: Rockier, steeper paths

For those that like longer days in the higher mountains. Routes are steep in places and a good standard of fitness is required.

Grade 4
Walks: 6-10hours
Ascent: 700-1400m
Paths: Steep!

High mountain paths that may require the use of crampons during certain months of the year. Previous hiking experience in the mountains and a very good level of fitness essential.

Travel Options

Travel Options:

There are regular flights from many European cities to Girona airport, the closest airport for this holiday, most of which are operated by Ryanair. The transfer from Girona airport to your first accommodation takes approx. 1 hour.

There is a wider choice of airlines flying into Barcelona including Ryanair and Easyjet. You need to take the shuttle train to Barcelona Sants from the airport; they leave every 30 mins and take approx. 20 mins. You then change trains at Sants and take a train to Figueres or Figueres Vilafant depending on the train you catch. The transfer from Figueres or Figueres Vilafant to your first accommodation takes approx. 20 mins.

The fastest train is the AVANT from Barcelona Sants to Figueres Vilafant , there are approx 9 trains a day, take 53 mins and cost approx. 20.20 euros each way. You can buy the tickets at the station before you board the train.

The other option is to take a Regional or MD (Medium Distance) train from Barcelona Sants to Figueres, there are approx. 20 trains a day, they take between 1 hr 50 mins and 2 hrs 10 mins and cost between 11.20 euros and 15 euros each way. Tickets can be purchased at the station before boarding the train.

Availability and Prices

Prices and Availability:

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What your holiday includes:

• Transfer to/from Girona airport or Figueres train station
• Welcome meeting with a local English speaking guide
• 24/7 local support
• Three nights’  B&B accommodation
• Moving of luggage between accommodations
• Detailed route notes and maps
• Local maps
• Personal information pack including information about local history, culture, traditions, restaurants, shops and local attractions etc

 Optional Extras:

• 2 x evening meals, the accommodation for the night in Cadaquès does not provide evening meals (€46 or £40)
• Supplement single room (please ask)

from £378 Book Now

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