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 2 days along the beach. There are lots of trots and canters where possible. The shortest riding day is around 4 hours in the saddle and the longest is around 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 which brings the life of the famous artist Salvador Dali closer to you through diverse countryside. You ride on the beach, through villages and across the Cap de Creus natural reserve. You ride from 3 – 6 hours each day on this trail.
The Pirate Trail is an adventurous 6 night 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 each day. 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 and have non-slip soles that you can comfortably walk in.
The horses are mainly Andalusian horses ridden in English 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 gallops. Some of the rides are 6 or 7 hours long so you do need to be riding fit.
Weight limit is 90kg.
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 making sure they are settled into their corral at the end of the day.
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. One of the places you might stay is a renovated old mill which has small apartments. These 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 | 11 Dec 2022 - 17 Dec 2022 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,837.73 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail - New Year | 27 Dec 2022 - 2 Jan 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,511.50 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 6 Feb 2023 - 12 Feb 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,837.73 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 12 Feb 2023 - 18 Feb 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,837.73 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 19 Feb 2023 - 25 Feb 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,837.73 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 26 Feb 2023 - 4 Mar 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,837.73 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 5 Mar 2023 - 11 Mar 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,837.73 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 12 Mar 2023 - 18 Mar 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,837.73 |
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Book | |
| Dali Beach & Coast Trail | 19 Mar 2023 - 26 Mar 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,598.92 |
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Book | |
| Pirate Trail | 26 Mar 2023 - 1 Apr 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $2,055.21 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 1 Apr 2023 - 7 Apr 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,837.73 |
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Book | |
| Pirate Trail | 10 Apr 2023 - 16 Apr 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $2,055.21 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 23 Apr 2023 - 29 Apr 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,837.73 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 1 May 2023 - 7 May 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,837.73 |
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Full | |
| Dali Beach & Coast Trail | 7 May 2023 - 14 May 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,598.92 |
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Book | |
| Pirate Trail | 11 Sep 2023 - 17 Sep 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $2,055.21 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 17 Sep 2023 - 23 Sep 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,837.73 |
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Book | |
| Dali Beach & Coast Trail | 24 Sep 2023 - 1 Oct 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,598.92 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 1 Oct 2023 - 7 Oct 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,837.73 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 7 Oct 2023 - 13 Oct 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,837.73 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 5 Nov 2023 - 11 Nov 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,837.73 |
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Book | |
| Dali Beach & Coast Trail | 12 Nov 2023 - 19 Nov 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,598.92 |
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Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 19 Nov 2023 - 25 Nov 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,837.73 |
|
Book | |
| Pirate Trail | 19 Nov 2023 - 25 Nov 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $2,055.21 |
|
Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 26 Nov 2023 - 2 Dec 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,837.73 |
|
Book | |
| Pirate Trail | 26 Nov 2023 - 2 Dec 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $2,055.21 |
|
Book | |
| Mediterranean Trail | 10 Dec 2023 - 16 Dec 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,837.73 |
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Book | |
| Pirate Trail | 10 Dec 2023 - 16 Dec 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $2,055.21 |
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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; all meals are provided with a glass of wine. There is a cash contribution which must be paid locally to the guide.
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 payable locally (2022). The single supplement for 2023 is €40 per night payable locally.
PAYABLE LOCALLY: Entrance fees to museums and monuments; drinks (alcoholic and soft) and food in bars; coffee at dinner; single supplements; airport transfers; contribution towards meals EUR 90 payable locally; tips (€35 - €50). For 2023, the contribution towards meals is €150-180.
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 (2022 only).
NEAREST AIRPORT Girona. Transfers also available from Barcelona.
TRANSFERS Shared transfers (set time only) are payable locally.
The Mediterranean Trail: For 2022, €45 per person each way for Barcelona and €30 per person each way for Girona. For 2023, €60 per person each way for Barcelona and €45 per person each way for Girona.
Pirate Trail and Dali Beach & Coast Trail: For 2022, €60 per person each way for Barcelona and €45 per person each way for Girona. For 2023, €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.
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/
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.
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/
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.
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/
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.
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/
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 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.