Holiday Overview
This unspoiled part of the Catalan coast is a well-kept secret and makes an ideal region for a week of leisurely discovery on foot.
This gentle route, a perfect first walking holiday, shows the magnificent contrasts of this part of the Catalan coast. Discover medieval villages and pine-clad hills, small quiet coves and the wide sandy beaches for which the area is renowned. There are plenty of opportunities to relax by the sea and to linger over a leisurely evening meal in an authentic Catalan restaurant, a regional cuisine which is justly renowned throughout the whole of Spain.
The wonderful climate ensures many warm sunny days from spring through to autumn.
Itinerary
The Rugged Catalan Coast (7 Nights)
A beautiful coastal walk along the famous “Caminos de Ronda”
Nights: 7
Grade: Easy/Moderate (Grade 1 & 2), some short ascents and descents (check out our walking grades)
Terrain: coastal paths and trails
Day 1 (Arrival)
Arrive at Girona Airport/Centre or Figueres Vilafant Train Station (if travelling from Barcelona) where you will be transferred by one of our guides to your accommodation in Begur. Once there you will have a welcome meeting with our guide to discuss the weeks itinerary.
Begur with its numerous colonial-style houses, narrow streets and alleyways of the old town along with the fishermen’s huts that still remain in the coves testifying to a long and intense history in which pirates, sailors, coral gatherers, fishermen and multiple generations of Begur townspeople have populated these lands, which despite all the inevitable transformations, have not lost their roots or identity with the passing of time. Oh an don’t forget to visit the medieval castle overlooking the town offering some spectacular views over this region, a great place to start your Catalan Adventure!!
Accommodation: 3* Hotel, Breakfast, Begur.
Day 2
Circular route to Sa Tuna: Today you will take a beautiful circular route to Sa Tuna and Cala d’Aiquafreda through the beautiful Catalan countryside, Sa Tuna and Cala d’Aiquafreda are situated in beautiful bays with lovely beaches and surrounded by pine trees. 9.6km (6 miles), 3 hrs walking time
Accommodation: Same as above.
Day 3
Begur to LLafranc: Today you leave Begur behind and head along a stunning coastal trail, you’ll pass the beautiful seaside village of Tamariu with a spectacular sandy beach, then onwards around the La Musclera Headland and the bay of Cala Pedrosa, finally you’ll reach the San Sebastián lighthouse with incredible views out over the Mediterranean and the majestic high Pyrenees, finally after a superb walk you’ll arrive in Llafranc. 13.7 km (8.5 miles) 4 hrs walking time
Llafranc with its tangle of narrow streets is animated even out of season. This beautiful white-washed seaside town was frequented by film stars and artists, including Salvador Dalí, throughout the 20th century. The Fishermen’s cottages, with boat houses on the beach which stretch around its coves will not fail to seduce you.
Accommodation: 3* Hotel, Breakfast, Llafranc
Day 4
Llafranc to Calella de Palafrugell: Today you head inland giving you the opportunity to experience the beautiful Catalan interior. You will pass through the historic market town of Palafrugell (the market is every day apart from Mondays). What was traditionally a cork manufacturing town, has been transformed into a popular tourist area, a great place for couple and families. Palafrugell combines culture and commerce. It has a pedestrianised area where you can wander around the walls and the church with plenty of restaurants, bars, shops and museums. Then onwards to the beautiful white-washed seaside town of Calella de Palafrugell. 9.8km (6.1 miles), 3 hrs walking time
Calella de Palafrugell is spread along a half dozen beautiful sandy coves interspersed with pink-hued rocks. With fishing boats lying on the sands, and cafés and restaurants under the arches of pastel-coloured buildings, it is difficult to think of a prettier Spanish resort and the reason Calella Palafrugell has been voted one of the prettiest Spanish seaside resorts by many publications over the years, quite simply you’ll have to tear yourself away when it’s time to move on, however as most of our customers have said at the end of the tour, you will most likely want to make a plan to return here in the near future.
Accommodation: 3* Hotel, Breakfast, Calella de Palafrugell.
Day 5
Free Day in Calella de Palafrugell: Time to relax in this beautiful sea-side village, perhaps a long lazy botanic gardens at Cap Roiglunch and some time on the beach along with some snorkelling maybe be in order or a visit to the botanic gardens at Cap Roig. In 1927, Colonel Woevodsky and Dorothy Webster bought the land of this estate in Cap Roig where they began building a castle and a magnificent park. The works continued until 1974. The garden runs down in terraces from the castle to the sea. The first ones (Nuns’ Terraces, El Bassin Terrace, Lovers’ Garden) are connected by the Cypresses Staircase, and have a marked architectural character. From there on, the paths descend gently towards the coast. This area is home to the Spring Garden, Cactus Garden and Geranium Walk with stunning flowering seasons.
Accommodation: Same as above.
Day 6
Calella de Palafrugell to La Fosca: Today you’ll reluctantly leave Calella de Palafrugell behind and carry on along a very scenic coastal trail with many beautiful secret coves, you’ll then head inland across fields and through hills clad in pine, olive and oak trees, you’ll pass the protected fishing hamlet of S’Alguer and finally arriving at La Fosca. 8.5km (5.3 miles), 3 hrs walking time
La Fosca is a lovely small village/urbanisation on the seafront, it has a really nice sandy beach and the perfect place for a swim to cool off.
Accommodation: 3* Hotel, Breakfast, Palamós/La Fosca.
Day 7
La Fosca to S’Agaró: Leaving La Fosca behind you head towards Palamós, you travel along the promenade at Palamós before picking up the beautiful Cami de Ronda coastal path, this is a lovely scenic route along the coast with the Mediterranean sparkling in the sun on your left and pine clad hills on the your right. You’ll pass the harbour at Playa de Aro and cross the sandy beach at Sa Cuenca Bay and finally onwards to your final destination, S’Agaró. 17.5 km (10.9 miles), 4 hrs 30 mins walking time
The elegant resort town of S’Agaró was made famous by movie stars during the golden age of Hollywood, but, unlike them, it has weathered the time between then and now with a bit more panache. Originally the area was a private resort, but now anyone can come and spend their weekend here. S’Agaró has several main attractions, the most important of which is the beach side walkway that houses much of the city’s most important architecture. Also not to be missed is the Sant Pol Beach. A great place to end your Catalan Adventure!
Accommodation: 3* Hotel, Breakfast, Sant Feliu de Guíxols.
Day 8
Departure: Today you say goodbye and we’re sure you will have some great memories from your Catalan adventure!
What your holiday includes:
- Transfer from Girona Airport/Centre or Figueres Vilafant Train Station (if travelling from Barcelona) to your first accommodation
- Welcome meeting with local English speaking guide
- 24/7 local support
- 7 nights’ B&B accommodation
- Moving of luggage between accommodations
- Detailed route notes/maps
- GPS files
- Personal information pack
Prices 2023
| Dates | Price (2 people sharing a twin/double room) | Single supplement | Single supplement (2 + people) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Mar to 3 April | €786 | €526 | €288 |
| 4 April to 10 April | €855 | €564 | €314 |
| 11 April to 13 May | €786 | €526 | €288 |
| 14 May to 27 June | €855 | €564 | €314 |
| 01 Sept to 11 Sept | €855 | €564 | €314 |
| 12 Sept to 30 Sept | €805 | €539 | €296 |
| 1 Oct to 21 Oct | €786 | €526 | €288 |
Prices 2024
| Dates | Price (2 people sharing a twin/double room) | Single supplement | Single supplement (2 + people) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Mar to 25 Mar | €874 | €584 | €320 |
| 26 Mar to 1 April | €950 | €628 | €350 |
| 2 April to 13 May | €874 | €584 | €320 |
| 14 May to 27 June | €950 | €628 | €350 |
| 01 Sept to 11 Sept | €950 | €628 | €350 |
| 12 Sept to 30 Sept | €895 | €599 | €328 |
| 1 Oct to 21 Oct | €874 | €584 | €320 |
Optional Extras
Private transfer from the last accommodation in S’Agaro to Girona Centre/Airport: €115, max 8 people
Private transfer from the last accommodation in S’Agaro to Barcelona Centre/Airport: €270, max 8 people
Supplement for half board: € 195 per person
Room Upgrades
Upgrade to sea-view room on night 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7
2 people sharing a twin/double room: € 190 per person
1 person in a double/twin room (solo occupancy): € 246 per person
What your holiday includes
- Arrival transfer from Girona Airport/Centre or Figueres Vilafant Train Station (if travelling from Barcelona) to your first accommodation
- Welcome meeting with local English speaking guide
- 24/7 local support
- 7 nights’ accommodation
- 7 breakfasts
- Moving of luggage between accommodations
- Detailed route notes/maps
- GPS files
- Personal information pack
Travel Options
Arrival Girona Airport
There are regular flights from many European cities to Girona airport, the closest airport for this holiday, most of which are operated by Ryanair & Jet2. The transfer from Girona airport to your first accommodation takes approx. 1 hour.
Arrival Barcelona Airport
There is a wider choice of airlines flying into Barcelona see here. 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. 1 hour.
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. €22. You can buy the tickets at the station before you board the train. https://www.renfe.com/es/en.
Departure
There is an optional (see price and availability section) transfer back to Girona or Barcelona Airport, however you can also make your own way by bus with Sarfa from Sant Feliu de Guìxols bus station (Sant Feliu de Guixols, Estacio). The bus station is a 10 minute taxi ride (pay locally) from your last accommodation and costs approx. €25.
There are several buses a day from Sant Feliu de Guíxols to Barcelona Centre and Barcelona Airport, starting at 07.05, they take 1 hour 30 minutes to Barcelona Centre (Barcelona Estacio Nord) and 2 hours to Barcelona Airport (T1 & T2) and cost between €15 and €18 per person. https://compras.moventis.es/online/
There are 3 buses a day from Sant Feliu de Guíxols to Girona Bus Station, starting at 07.35, they take 2 hours 5 minutes and cost €9 per person, you then need to take a bus or taxi (approx. €30) if you want to go Girona Airport. The optional transfer from your last accommodation to Girona Centre or Girona Airport for €95 is the best option.
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.
Our Grades (this is a grade 1 tour/holiday)
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.
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