A fantastic trail, where we are going to ride our horses from the mountains to the Mediterranean Sea. We will start our trail at Girona Pyrenees, where we can enjoy the beautiful mountain landscapes and will enter into the leafy forests of Garrotxa. It has a quite mild climate; therefore, we pass the landscapes of Empordà, former the ground of wine and olive grove. At this point, we arrive to the beach where we can behold the beauty of the coast and spend some time there enjoying the Mediterranean ambience as it has plenty of beaches.

The gastronomical variety of our country is guaranteed, as we offer Pyrenean veal with fish and seafood at the Costa Brava all marinated as usual, accompanied by some very great vines in every meal.

 PROGRAMME

 Day 1. Arrival. Welcome to L’Abella

You will arrive to L’Abella on the Pyrenees, a typical and small Catalan village in the middle of the mountains with stone houses. Before dinner, we will go over the week’s program. You will be told about the special characteristics of our Andalusian trail horses. You will be given an introduction to the week´s programme with an opportunity for a one-to-one conversation designed to find every rider their perfect horse. Then, you can enjoy a fantastic dinner!

 Day 2. From the Pyrenees

6-8 hours riding

The trail will start from l’Abella going into the Pyrenean direction to Salarsa valley characterized with large-scale landscapes and plenty centenarian oaks. We will descent to Sant Valenti de Salarsa church, Romanesque work, and continue downhill in a valley to the road between Beget and Oix, where we will find Pont de Bolassell, a Romanesque cottage. In this picturesque and quiet place, we will have our picnic.

We will continue on horseback on and uphill narrow but comfortable path in a dense forest until Coll de Salomó where we will reach the highest peak of the day (850 m). We will continue on a hill for 6 or 7 kilometres to Sant Andreu de Bestacrá, and then on a descent where we will be able to see a hundred-years-old holm oak stuck between rocks. We will continue downhill to Oix, full of natural areas of incredible beauty. Accommodation in a rural house.

Day 3. Up to the highest Peaks

6-8 hours riding

Today we saddle up and ride out through the mountains. During the morning we pass through the scented oak forests above beautiful ravines that so characterise this mountainous region known as the Alta Garrotxa. We will ride towards Vall d’Hortmoier, passing some gorges that will allow the riders to have a bath. We will cross the Llerca Riover and continue up to the Talaxà peak, a picturesque place with an old quarter from where we will be able to see the route of the day before and to enjoy a snack. From this point, we will start the descent to Vall de Sadernes, where we will have to walk for 1 kilometre. We will arrive to the Sant Aniol River where we will be able to enjoy a bath (without the horses). We will go back up to Coll de Bassegoda. After half an hour, we will enjoy our picnic in a 1.200 m height plain. 

We will continue on the top of a mountain range and will descent to Albanyà, through dense holm-oak woods, steep mountains and amazing views of la Garrotxa.

Tracks and paths will lead us to the Muga River, which we will cross to arrive at Albanyà, a land of orchards, forests and hunting.

 Day 4. Swimming with the horses

6-7 hours riding

Route with walks, trots, canter and enough gallops. A day of lively riding and excitement, because we are going to swim with the horses in a lake. An unforgettable experience!

Meeting for breakfast and preparing the route will be as usual. We will leave Albañá and go down along the Muga River. We will stop at Boadella Lake surrounded by a breath-taking mountainous scenery, for a refreshing swim with the horses. Always a pleasure for both people and horses!

Afterwards we get back to our route, this time we cross the GR2 with its typical landscape of Alt Empordà full of vineyards and olive groves as well as the vegetation of Albera Natural Park. This natural area is perfect to observe the pass from the mountain range and the most typical landscape to the Mediterranean metamorphous rocks made of schist and clay shale, both of these essences grow in a special terrain.

We will arrive at Perelada, a gorgeous medieval village, famous because of its “cava” (sparkling wine). We will be able to stroll around Perelada and even to try our luck at the village’s Casino.

Day 5. L’Albera and coastal vineyards

6-8 hours riding

Today we leave the mountains and ride through the Albera and the coastal area of Costa Brava towards the sea. From Peralada we will head to Llançà, a nice little historical village built close to the sea but quite hidden inland so it was easier for the inhabitants to protect themselves back in the 9^th century! The medieval ages church and tower are the two characteristic monuments to be seen anywhere from the village.

Our hotel is in the old city centre and a nice 20-minute stroll to the beach. Llançà has the great amount of 23 beaches so you will sure find one you will love ;). Dinner and accommodation.

Day 6. To the sea!

6-7 hours riding

Today, we will ride out of Llança in order to take our horses to a cute little bay where to enjoy a nice swim with the horses in an amazing landscape. We will ride to the Natural Park of Albera and then back to Llançà.

Free time, farewell dinner and accommodation.

 Day 7. Departure

Breakfast and optional transfer to Barcelona.

ACCOMMODATION

Appartments L’Abella L’Abell www.hipicvalldecamprodon.com

Forn de Beget,Beget www.elforndebeget.com

 Albanyà,Camping Bassegoda, www.campingbassegoda.com

Perelada,Cal Rajoler,www.cal-rajoler.com

Hotel Beri (2 nights),Llançà www.hotel-beri.com

FURTHER INFORMATION

Dates: From Monday  to Sunday (see dates for Pyrenees to Sea)

Pace: trail with long gallops, canters, trots.

Hours a day: 6-8 hours a day

Group:  Minimum group: 4 riders/Maximum group: 10 riders

Guide: the guide will be Xavi Pastoret, an experienced and talented rider, always accompanied by an English speaking back up guide.

Horses:  Spanish, Hispano-Arabians, Arabians, Anglo-Arabian, Quarterback

PRICE

Price: 1199€ including taxes, and full board accommodation.

Single Room: 245€

High Season supplemenet: 185€ from June to October

Transfer  from / to Barcelona :

• Group transfer 150€ return*
• Privat transfer: 250€ per way  up to 4 people

*Group transfers arriving before 17h on the first day  and departing after 13h on the departure day.

• Pick up time on arrival : 18h
• Pick up time on departure: 9h

DATES 2019

18-24 March

25-31 March

1-7 April

8-14 April

22-28 April

6-12 May

20-26 May

3-9 June

17-23 June

16-22 September

7-13 October

21-27 October

4-10 November