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.
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.
These trails will have a lot of riding hours in the saddle each day, often not reaching your guest house until early evening.
It’s easy to see why this area was a home to of 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 Pirate Trail is the most challenging of these itineraries and 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.
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) we do not ride close to the ocean’s edge due to the number of people on the beach. Instead we may 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.
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 are willing to share but end up in a single room when on your holiday, then a single supplement is payable. An exception is made if you book more than two months in advance of the date of your holiday and then, if you are willing to share, but end up in a single room on one or more nights, no single supplement is charged.
It is possible to request a single room but they are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean Trail |
|
29 Oct 2018 - 4 Nov 2018 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,067.63 |
|
Full |
| Mediterranean Trail |
|
12 Nov 2018 - 18 Nov 2018 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,067.63 |
|
Book |
| Pirate Trail |
|
12 Nov 2018 - 18 Nov 2018 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,067.63 |
|
Book |
| Dali Beach & Coast Trail |
|
18 Nov 2018 - 25 Nov 2018 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,238.10 |
|
Book |
| Mediterranean Trail |
|
18 Nov 2018 - 24 Nov 2018 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,067.63 |
|
Book |
| Pirate Trail |
|
18 Nov 2018 - 24 Nov 2018 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,067.63 |
|
Book |
| Mediterranean Trail |
|
26 Nov 2018 - 2 Dec 2018 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,067.63 |
|
Book |
| Pirate Trail |
|
26 Nov 2018 - 2 Dec 2018 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,067.63 |
|
Book |
| Mediterranean Trail |
|
10 Dec 2018 - 16 Dec 2018 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,067.63 |
|
Book |
| Mediterranean Trail |
|
16 Dec 2018 - 22 Dec 2018 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,067.63 |
|
Book |
| Mediterranean Trail - New Year |
|
29 Dec 2018 - 4 Jan 2019 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,229.13 |
|
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 If you are in a single room then a single supplement is payable of £26.92 per night. An exception is made if you book more than two months in advance of the date of your holiday and you are willing to share but end up in a single room on one or more nights then no single supplement is charged. Single rooms are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Entrance fees to Museums and Monuments; drinks/food in bars; alcoholic beverages and soft drinks; coffee at dinner; Mediterranean Trail - one lunch; Dali Trail - lunch or dinner on three days; Pirate Trail - two dinners; (cost of restaurant meal from €10 - €20); tips (c. €35 - €50). On the Dali Trail possible room upgrade on last night to include a sea view (supplement of €25 per person payable locally).
NEAREST AIRPORT Girona. Transfers also available from Barcelona.
TRANSFERS Shared transfers (set time only) are payable locally at €30 per person each way from Girona and €45 per person each way from Barcelona. 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 €200 - €250 from Barcelona.
NOT INCLUDED Flights to Girona or Barcelona.
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 have been on many trails and this was one of the bests. We were up at the mountains and also on the beach. Cantering at the beach in the early morning was the highlight. My horse was brilliant and very enjoyable to ride. Niki and Dani were amazing to organize everything so well. Our group was excellent and we had a lot of fun.
Heidi ,Helsinki
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.
Claire says
Fantastic scenery on forward going horses with great Spanish food along the way.