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

Overview

Holiday Overview:

Our Catalan guided walking holiday is perfect for those who enjoy the camaraderie of a group, want to meet other like-minded walkers or prefer to walk with a knowledgeable guide.

Itinerary

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival. Arrival at Girona Airport or Figueres Train Station , where you will be transferred to your accommodation. Once settled in, you will have a welcome meeting to discuss the week’s itinerary.

Day 2: Cap de Norfeu 6 hours. Ascent 280m. Today will start with one of the most wonderful coastal walks in the region. This is a beautiful trail that we believe fulfils every walker’s hopes and dreams. This stunning coastal walk starts at Cala Montjoi and traverses the coastal slopes to Cala Joncols. We make an excursion on the way to the Cap de Norfeu, a rocky promontory reaching far into the sea.

Day 3: Sant Quirze de Colera 6 hours. Ascent 700m. Today we have an outstanding mountain and valley walk around the cloister of Sant Quirze de Colera. This Romanesque cloister is situated in a broad valley basin where the waters of numerous mountain streams collect. This circular walk along the ridge between Coll del Teixo and the Coll de Banyuls shows the many differing features of this section of the Serra de I’Albera nature reserve, and offers outstanding sweeping views as far as the Canigou Massif.

Day 4: The Zona Volcanica 6 hours. Ascent 400m. Today we head inland towards the Pyrenees. Only a few kilometers from the central axis of the Pyrenees, our walk today takes us around a geological curiosity, a volcanic area with numerous volcanic domes, in the excellently preserved natural park “Zona Volcanica de la Garrotxa”. The Garrotxa National Park is one of the highlights of inland Catalonia.

Day 5: Rest day. Today you can have an optional rest day, relax around the village of Castelló d`Empuriés or explore on your own the surrounding countryside. For those wanting something just a little different maybe you can try a tandem skydive! Our guide is also an instructor.

Day 6: Punta del Cap de Creus 5.5 hours. Ascent 150m. Today another glorious hike. A fantastic walk along an old trail from Cadaqués to the lighthouse located on the easternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula, the Cap de Creus. Most tourists drive there and miss out on the austere beauty of the scenic seaboard and its rich variety of flora. We’ll arrive at the absolute tip of the Punta del Cap de Creus, with nothing left but the open sea in front and the fantastic formations of the ravaged cliffs behind.

Day 7: Monestary Sant Pere de Rodes 4.5 hours. Ascent 680m. Today a fabulous last walk before your departure tomorrow. Beautiful flowers and bewitching views over the northern Cap de Creus await you. We start in the village of El Port de la Selva and make our way along a lovely trail which offers numerous opportunities for fantastic views of the coast, cliffs and mountains of the Northern Cap de Creus. We arrive at the spectacular Monestir Sant Pere de Rodes,

then make our way up to the Castell de Sant Salvador de Verderra with its beautiful views over the bay of Roses.

Day 8: Departure. Today after breakfast we shall arrange transfers back to Girona airport. Say goodbye to your new friends and start your trip home.

Other Info

Other information (what to bring etc):

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.

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 will need to take the shuttle train to Barcelona Sants train station from the airport; the shuttle trains leave every 30 minutes and take approx. 20 minutes. You then change trains at Sants and take a train to Figueres, trains leave approx. every 40 minutes and take between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours depending on the train you take, the price is between 8 Euros and 12 Euros per person. The private transfer from Figueres train station to your first accommodation takes approx. 15 minutes.

Travelling via Barcelona will allow you the opportunity to explore this exciting city by spending a couple of nights there at the beginning or end of the holiday.