Spain - Catalan Coastal Trails
These rides explore the Costa Brava (which means Wild Coast), a diverse region of natural beauty and heritage. Medieval fishing villages dot the wild coastline where secluded, rocky coves sheltered by pine covered hills alternate with beaches.
The Mediterranean Trail is a 6 night trail that combines riding across hilly pastures, mountains and the coast including two days along the beach. There are lots of trots and canters where possible. The shortest riding day is c. 4 hours in the saddle and the longest c. 7 hours, so you do need to be riding fit to fully enjoy this adventurous journey.
The Dali Beach & Coast Trail is a 7 night trail ride brings the life of the famous artist Salvador Dali closer to you by this wonderful ride through diverse countryside. Riding on the beach, through villages and across the Cap de Creus natural reserve. You ride from 3 – 6 hours on this trail.
The Pirate Trail is an adventurous trail along the Costa Brava and is the most challenging of these itineraries. You follow the coast across rocky terrain, traversing mountains on horseback and enjoy a beach canter on your last riding day. You should be fit enough for between 3 – 7 hours in the saddle. You are required to get off and lead your horse most days, sometimes for 30 minutes at a time. The ground can be rocky and uneven and the hiking will be both uphill and downhill. We therefore recommend that you ride in shoes that provide ankle support , non-slip soles that you can comfortably walk in.Please note that these trails will have a lot of riding hours in the saddle each day, with long trots and canters, often not reaching your guest house until early evening. For this reason, it’s best to be as riding fit as possible.Highlights of the trips include rides through villages, long canters along the coast and beach rides at the crack of dawn. All this is set against the backdrop of the Pyrenees.
You stay overnight in carefully chosen country guesthouses, pensions and small family-run hotels where your hosts provide you with Catalan and Spanish food.
It’s easy to see why this area was a home to some of Spain’s 20th century artists including Gaudi, Dali and Picasso. There are a number of different riding routes, some of which include visits to Dali’s home and it’s worth extending your stay to take in Gaudi’s distinctive architecture and the Picasso museum in Barcelona.
Please note that the ride operator in Spain, who provides these holidays, are not happy with air jackets being worn on their riding holidays. They are concerned that the air jacket going off will spook others horses on the trail.
The horses are mainly Andalusian and Spanish horses ridden in English or Spanish tack. You should be confident at all paces riding a forward going and responsive horse outdoors. The pace is varied and there are opportunities for long trots, canters and occasional gallops. Some of the trail rides are up to 6 or 7 hours in the saddle on some days and so you should be riding fit. Weight limit is 90kgs.
Please note that between June and September (inclusive) there is no riding close to the sea’s edge due to the number of people on the beach. Instead you ride in the sand dunes and paths beside the beach in sight of the water.
These are participatory riding holidays and you are expected to groom and tack up your horse in the morning and at lunchtime as well as make sure they are settled into their corral at the end of the day.
On the rides in Catalonia you are welcome to bring your own body protector, but please note that the Ride Operator does not permit any rider to wear an air jacket.
The accommodation includes rural guesthouses, pensions and small hotels. On most rides the horses are corralled in nearby paddocks and you walk a short distance to your accommodation for the night.
Twin and double rooms are available and in most cases these have private bathrooms, although the bathroom is not always adjoining. Occasionally some bedrooms may share a bathroom. One of the places you might stay in is a renovated old Mill which has small apartments which have a double bed on a balcony and two beds downstairs with one bathroom. This may be booked as two single rooms.
If you request a single room or end up in a single room by default, then a single supplement applies and is payable locally.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean Trail | 4 Oct 2021 - 10 Oct 2021 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,582.27 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 11 Oct 2021 - 17 Oct 2021 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,582.27 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 17 Oct 2021 - 23 Oct 2021 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,582.27 |
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Full | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 23 Oct 2021 - 29 Oct 2021 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,582.27 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 1 Nov 2021 - 7 Nov 2021 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,582.27 |
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Book | |
| Dali Beach & Coast Trail | 7 Nov 2021 - 14 Nov 2021 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $1,950.24 |
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Full | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 13 Nov 2021 - 19 Nov 2021 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,582.27 |
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Book | |
| Pirate Trail | 13 Nov 2021 - 19 Nov 2021 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,766.25 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 21 Nov 2021 - 27 Nov 2021 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,582.27 |
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Book | |
| Dali Beach & Coast Trail | 21 Nov 2021 - 28 Nov 2021 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $1,950.24 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 29 Nov 2021 - 5 Dec 2021 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,582.27 |
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Book | |
| Pirate Trail | 29 Nov 2021 - 5 Dec 2021 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,766.25 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 12 Dec 2021 - 18 Dec 2021 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,582.27 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail - New Year | 27 Dec 2021 - 2 Jan 2022 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,680.39 |
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Book |
The rides require a minimum of four people to confirm. It may be possible to guarantee a departure with fewer people on payment of a small group supplement which is payable locally. Please contact us for the price of a small group supplement for any particular week.
INCLUDES Accommodation; full board with table wine on most days (each itinerary will have at least one meal payable locally) and dinner on arrival and breakfast on departure.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT Single rooms are subject to availability and not guaranteed. If you request a single or end up in a single by default, the supplement of €30 per night applies and is payably locally.
PAYABLE LOCALLY: Entrance fees to Museums and Monuments; drinks/food in bars; alcoholic beverages and soft drinks; coffee at dinner; Lunches and dinners : €80 per person payable locally; tips (c. €35 - €50).
Mediterranean trail over New Year's Eve special meal: €45 payable locally, which includes vermouth and appetizers, a 3 course supper, wine, cava and New Year’s cake.
On the Dali Trail possible room upgrade on last night to include a sea view (please contact us for more details).
NEAREST AIRPORT Girona. Transfers also available from Barcelona.
TRANSFERS Shared transfers (set time only) are payable locally. The Mediterranean trail transfers are at €45 per person each way from or to Barcelona and €30 per person each way for transfers from or to Girona.
The Pirates trail and Dali Beach & Coast Trail cost €60 per person each way from or to Barcelona and €45 per person each way for transfers from or to Girona. If you cannot meet these shared transfer times taxis can be arranged at a cost of €80 - €120 per vehicle (one-way) from Girona or €240 - €280 from Barcelona.
NOT INCLUDED Flights to Girona or Barcelona.
There are organised transfers from both Barcelona and Girona Airports.
The standard collection time from Barcelona Airport is 17:30 (so flights should be scheduled to arrive before 16:30) and from Girona Airport is 18:30 (flights should be scheduled to arrive by 17:45). Return flights at the end of the ride should depart after 14:30 if flying from Barcelona or after 13:00 if flying from Girona.
Please note: If you need to take a Covid-19 test before travelling home, you should fly to Barcelona as there is a testing facility at the airport. At the end of the ride, return flights should depart 17:00 or later to allow time for your test results to be issued. Tests can be pre-booked here: https://trustoneapp.com/registration/eurofinsmegalab/
The transfers are at a cost of €45 per person each way from or to Barcelona and €30 per person each way for transfers from or to Girona; these are payable locally.
If the standard transfer times do not fit with your arrival or departure flights a taxi can be organised (about €80-€120 from Girona, €240-€280 from Barcelona, depending on the trail start / end points).
There are organised transfers from both Barcelona and Girona Airports.
The standard collection time from Barcelona Airport is 17:30 (so flights should be scheduled to arrive before 16:30) and from Girona Airport is 18:30 (flights should be scheduled to arrive by 17:45). Return flights at the end of the ride should depart after 14:30 if flying from Barcelona or after 13:00 if flying from Girona.
Please note: If you need to take a Covid-19 test before travelling home, you should fly to Barcelona as there is a testing facility at the airport. At the end of the ride, return flights should depart 17:00 or later to allow time for your test results to be issued. Tests can be pre-booked here: https://trustoneapp.com/registration/eurofinsmegalab/
The transfers cost €60 per person each way from or to Barcelona and €45 per person each way for transfers from or to Girona; these are payable locally to the guide at the first dinner.
If the standard transfer times do not fit with your arrival or departure flights a taxi can be organised (about €80-€120 from Girona, €240-€280 from Barcelona.
There are organised transfers from both Barcelona and Girona Airports.
The standard collection time from Barcelona Airport is 17:30 (so flights should be scheduled to arrive before 16:30) and from Girona Airport is 18:30 (flights should be scheduled to arrive by 17:45). Return flights at the end of the ride should depart after 14:30 if flying from Barcelona or after 13:00 if flying from Girona.
Please note: If you need to take a Covid-19 test before travelling home, you should fly to Barcelona as there is a testing facility at the airport. At the end of the ride, return flights should depart 17:00 or later to allow time for your test results to be issued. Tests can be pre-booked here: https://trustoneapp.com/registration/eurofinsmegalab/
The transfer costs €60 per person each way from or to Barcelona and €45 per person each way for transfers from or to Girona; these are payable locally.
If the standard transfer times do not fit with your arrival or departure flights a taxi can be organised (about €80-€120 from Girona, €240-€280 from Barcelona, depending on the trail start / end points).
These rides are in Catalonia which is the easternmost part of Spain bordering on France and Andorra.
The climate of Catalonia is typically Mediterranean, with many hours of sunshine, mild in winter and warm in summer.
I first did this ride 8 years ago, and have done many others since, but because it had such an impact on me, I thought that I would come back to re-visit it.
It certainly didn't disappoint.
The variety of the terrain, the wonderful food, the beautiful accommodation and the experience of riding through villages that have been there since the Middle Ages is hard to beat.
David, Mona Vale
Overall rating: 5/5
Your luggage is moved on for you each day but you will have to take it to and from your bedroom, so do try and pack as lightly as possible. The airline may also have a low weight limit.
In The Saddle says
Fantastic scenery on forward going horses with great Spanish food along the way.