Catalan High Pyrenees (Grade 3)

Overview

Holiday Overview:

Why choose a Catalan High Pyrenees Self Guided Walking Holiday?

The Catalan Pyrenees are dramatic and unspoiled, dotted with stone villages clustered around Romanesque churches. This is magnificent walking country, enjoying the warmest climate of all the Pyrenean range, and our route continues to delight walkers with its combination of superb walking through unspoiled mountains and welcoming inns. Watch short-toed and booted eagles soar above as you walk along ancient paths, and look out too for griffon vultures, choughs, wild boar, chamois and fire salamanders.

You cross the Pyrenees on two occasions and spend one night in the French town Prats de Molló. This used to be the territory for bandits, smugglers and fugitives. The district of Camprodon is a well known destination for biking, hiking and winter sports but largely unknown to foreign travelers. You walk between 500m (Beget) and up to 2.800 on your hike to Núria. The heart of the Núria valley is the sanctuary of the same name and a popular place of pilgrimage. Located at an altitude of almost 2000 meters and only accessible by a rack railway, it provides not just a natural shelter among the high peaks, but also a spiritual oasis whose history can be traced back to ancient origins and traditions.

This walking route is more challenging than our Catalan High Pyrenees (Grade 2) Holiday, we believe this is one of the best areas in the Pyrenees to walk and we’re sure with the spectacular mountain scenery, great mountain walks, fantastic accommodation and delicious Catalan cuisine, you will have a fantastic mountain adventure!

Itinerary

Itinerary:

Catalan High Pyrenees Walking Holiday (7 Nights)

“A beautiful self-guided high mountain walking holiday in the Catalan Pyrenees”

Nights: 7
Grade: 3 (click here to see our walking grades)
Terrain: farm tracks and mountain trails

Day 1 (Arrival): Arrive at Ripoll by train from Barcelona or by bus from Girona, you will then be transferred to the charming mountain village of Camprodon which lies at the confluence of the rivers Ter and Ritort, Camprodon has a lovely centre with a beautiful 12th century footbridge. Take your time exploring the alleys and squares and enjoying the local produce such as delicious sausages and cured cheese from the local shops. Accommodation in Camprodon.

Day 2: Start your trip with a great walk into the high Garrotxa, initially taking you up through lush pastureland. Then a long descent through woodland and valleys passing abandoned and sometimes renovated farmhouses brings you to the medieval village of Beget with its beautiful Romanesque church. Accommodation in Beget. (4 hrs, 15 km)

Day 3: This is the longest walk of the tour and you should get an early start today. You start by walking through the lovely valley of the Rocabruna river crossing bridges and humid Mediterranean forest, the mill of “Molí de Sorolla” and the Rocabruna castle. Take some time to admire the XIIth century Romanesque church in the village of Rocabruna. The path ascends towards the border with France passing some abandoned mines. Descend to Prats de Molló, a pleasant walled town with a maze of narrow cobbled streets and medieval architecture. If you don’t mind the extra effort there is a covered walkway that leads to the impressive fort. Accommodation in Prats de Molló. (6hrs, 22 km)

Day 4: You leave Prats de Molló and follow the route between pine and beech forests towards the mountain pass Coll d’Ares (1.511m), a pass you have to climb to get back to Spain on the other side of the Pyrenees. Your path “Cami de la Retirada” is an old route used by the Spanish Republicans to escape to France at the end of the Spanish Civil War. There are impressive views over Prats de Molló and the Canigó massif. Finally a long descent to Molló with a beautiful Romanesque church from the XIIth century. Accommodation in Molló. (3hrs 30mins, 14 km)

Day 5: Today you have a spectacular walk over two mountain passes with impressive panoramic views: to the West, the dramatic Pyrenean peaks, and to the East, the warm, wooded hills of the Garrotxa. You start with a long, moderate climb the Fembra Morte Pass (1.728m) and remain high up as you continue to Lliens pass (1.864m) (a good picnic spot). You continue across the northern flank of the Puig de les Agudes before descending through great landscape to Setcases. Accommodation in Setcases (3hrs 15mins, 13km)

Day 6: In the morning a car will take you up the valley to the beginning of the hiking route to the mountain refuge on Ulldeter, just below the skiing resort Vallter 2000 you start the spectacular crossing from the Camprodon valley to the Núria valley. Follow the path up the valley to the spring of the river Ter and the Marrana Pass (2.529m) with dramatic views to the Bastiments peak (2.883m). On clear days you can see the blue waters of the Mediterranean from here. Climb further until you reach the Tirapits Pass and walk along the ridge: now you’re at the top of the Pyrenees! Enjoy wonderful mountain views before descending from the Noucreus Pass (2.808m) to the Núria valley and its sanctuary (1.960m). From Nuria you take the scenic rack railway for the dramatic journey to Ribes de Fresser (not included in the price). An optional walk down the valley to Queralbs would add another 2,5 hours (rack railway stops here). Accomodation in Ribes. (4 hrs 30mins, 13 km)

Day 7: Free day to enjoy this nice village or to take the rack train up to Núria. There is time to climb above the monastery to admire the breathtaking views and do some circular routes which are marked. An optional walk down the valley to Queralbs would add another 2,5 hours (rack railway stops here). Another option is to take the train to Ripoll and visit the Romanesque Monastery of Santa Maria, the cradle of the Catalan Nation. Accomodation in Ribes. (13 km)

Day 8 (Departure): You can either take a train from Ribes de Freser to Barcelona or if you are travelling to Girona you can take the bus from Ripoll. (Optional transfer from Ribes de Freser to Ripoll bus station, €28 or £25)

What your holiday includes:

Seven nights’ B&B accommodation
Transfer from Ripoll to Camprodon
Transfer on day 5 from Setcases to Ulldeter
Moving of luggage between accommodations
Detailed route notes and maps
Personal information pack including information about local history, culture, traditions, restaurants, shops and local attractions etc

Optional Extras:

Transfer from Ribes to Ripoll for bus back to Girona (€27 or £25)
Half Board (€112 or £101)
Supplement single room (€135 or £122)

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 is Grade 3:

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:

The simplest way to get here is to fly to Barcelona.

Once you arrive at Barcelona airport you would need to take the shuttle train to Barcelona Sants train station (approx 20 mins), then change trains and take a train (approx 2hrs) to Ripoll. You can find the train times here http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/cercanias/barcelona/index.html (you will need to copy and paste this link into a browser). You will then be transferred to your accommodation in Camprodon.

If travelling from Girona you can take a bus from Girona to Ripoll, you can access the bus times here http://www.teisa-bus.com/web/horaris/L2.pdf

At the end of the holiday you can take the train from Ribes de Freser back to Barcelona or take the optional transfer (€27 or £25) to Ripoll to take the bus back to Girona.

Travelling via Barcelona will give you the opportunity to explore this exciting city, perhaps you could spend a couple of nights there before or after the holiday.

Availability and Prices

Prices and Availability:

Prices 2013:

GBP & Euros per person based on 2 in a double/twin room	GBP	Euros

1st May to 30th June	£ 684	€ 760
1st July to 31st Aug	£ 747	€ 830
1st Sept to 31st Oct	£ 684	€ 760

What your holiday includes:

Seven nights’ B&B accommodation
Transfer from Ripoll to Camprodon
Transfer on day 5 from Setcases to Ulldeter
Moving of luggage between accommodations
Detailed route notes and maps
Personal information pack including information about local history, culture, traditions, restaurants, shops and local attractions etc

Optional Extras: