Spain - Catalan Coastal Trails
These rides explore the wild coast of Catalonia. It is a diverse region of natural beauty with its own heritage and culture that sets it apart from the rest of Spain.
The Coast Trail is a seven night ride which includes non-riding activities such as an afternoon visit to a vineyard, castle and stud farm. You explore the coastline with its medieval fishing villages, rocky coves, pine covered hills, and long sandy beaches.
The Dali Beach Trail is another seven night ride on which you learn more of the famous artist, Salvador Dali. You ride on the beaches, through villages and across the Cap de Creus natural reserve. You have the chance to visit the Dali museum and to see his well-positioned house right on the coast.
The Mediterranean Trail is a six night circular route that combines all Catalonia has to offer. Ride through Mediterranean forests, farmland, rice fields, mountainous paths and along the coast including two days on the beaches.
The Pirate Trail is an adventurous six night trail along the coast across rocky terrain, traversing mountains, cliff paths, hidden coves and head along the beach on your last riding day.
The horses are mainly Andalusian horses ridden in simple English bridles and locally designed trail saddles. They are forward going, responsive, and know their job.
You need to be physically fit as well as riding fit, and have good experience of being around horses. You must be able to correctly mount your horse unassisted from a rock or slightly raised ground.
The pace on all the rides is varied and there are opportunities for long trots, canters and gallops.
The Mediterranean Trail is the faster of the itineraries, with trots and canters lasting many minutes at a time.
On both the Mediterranean Trail and the Pirate Trail, you should expect up to seven hours in the saddle per day. Some of the morning rides are up to four hours long to reach the lunch stop. Some of the riding is technical so you need to be experienced in how to help your horse over tricky terrain. You have long distances to cover some days so you need to be fit and capable.
On the Dali Beach Trail and the Coast Trail, you can expect to be riding up to six hours. You have some shorter days of around three hours riding which allow for the non-riding activities.
On the Pirate Trail and the Coast Trail, you will be required to dismount and lead your horse on foot for some sections of rocky terrain. We highly recommend that you ride in shoes that provide ankle support and have non-slip soles that you can comfortably walk in.
The weight limit is 90kg on all the trails.
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 trails and you are expected to fully care for your horse. This includes grooming, tacking up, tethering to trees, feeding, untacking and anything else during the trail. Your guide will give clear demonstrations on everything on the first riding day, and will be on hand to help throughout the trail.
Please note that the Ride Operator does not permit any rider to wear an air jacket. However, normal body protectors are welcome.
The accommodation includes rural guesthouses 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.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pirate Trail | 10 Apr 2023 - 16 Apr 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $2,134.45 |
|
Full | |
| Coast Trail | 16 Apr 2023 - 23 Apr 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,699.12 |
|
Full | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 23 Apr 2023 - 29 Apr 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,908.58 |
|
Full | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 1 May 2023 - 7 May 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,908.58 |
|
Full | |
| Dali Beach Trail | 7 May 2023 - 14 May 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,699.12 |
|
Full | |
| Pirate Trail | 11 Sep 2023 - 17 Sep 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $2,134.45 |
|
Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 17 Sep 2023 - 23 Sep 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,908.58 |
|
Book | |
| Coast Trail | 24 Sep 2023 - 1 Oct 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,699.12 |
|
Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 1 Oct 2023 - 7 Oct 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,908.58 |
|
Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 7 Oct 2023 - 13 Oct 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,908.58 |
|
Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 5 Nov 2023 - 11 Nov 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,908.58 |
|
Book | |
| Dali Beach Trail | 12 Nov 2023 - 19 Nov 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,699.12 |
|
Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 19 Nov 2023 - 25 Nov 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,908.58 |
|
Book | |
| Pirate Trail | 19 Nov 2023 - 25 Nov 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $2,134.45 |
|
Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 26 Nov 2023 - 2 Dec 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,908.58 |
|
Book | |
| Pirate Trail | 26 Nov 2023 - 2 Dec 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $2,134.45 |
|
Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 10 Dec 2023 - 16 Dec 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,908.58 |
|
Book | |
| Pirate Trail | 10 Dec 2023 - 16 Dec 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $2,134.45 |
|
Book |
The rides require a minimum of four people booked to confirm to run. 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; riding; a glass of wine with lunch and dinner. There is a restaurant and catering fee which must be paid locally to the guide on the first night.
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 €40 per night applies and is payable locally.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Entrance fees to museums and monuments; drinks (alcoholic and soft); food in bars; single supplements; airport transfers; restaurant and catering fee (€150-180 cash); tips.
NEAREST AIRPORT Girona, then Barcelona.
TRANSFERS Shared transfers (set time only) are payable locally to the guide on the first night in cash.
The Mediterranean Trail: €60 per person each way for Barcelona and €45 per person each way for Girona.
Pirate Trail; Dali Beach Trail and Coast Trail: €75 per person each way for Barcelona and €60 per person each way for Girona.
If you cannot meet the shared transfer times, taxis can be arranged at a cost of €80 - €120 per vehicle (one-way) from Girona or €240 - €280 (one-way) from Barcelona.
NOT INCLUDED Flights to Girona or Barcelona.
There are organised transfers from both Barcelona and Girona Airports.
Flights to Barcelona should be scheduled to arrive before 16:30 and arrive by 17:45 to Girona. Return flights at the end of the ride should depart after 14:30 from both Barcelona and Girona.
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: 4/5
Your luggage is moved on for you each day but consider taking a bumbag with you each day for your essentials (suncream, sunglasses and camera).
In The Saddle says
Spend your days with long hours in the saddle on forward going horses, and indulge in great Spanish food along the way.