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DE 
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NL Wild Coast Pirates Trail
Overview
Trail Route
Day 1: Coastal trail ride by the sea – the insiders' tip on the Costa Brava
Arrival in Barcelona or Girona and transfer to the starting point of our adventure trail, a little fishing village near the French border. At our first dinner, we meet our fellow riders and our guide.
Day 2: Wild Coast and pirates
After breakfast on a lovely wooden terrace we prepare our horses. Right at the beginning of the day our "new friends" climb safely over rocks and stones. Three mountain ranges make this route an adventurous experience.
Shortly before the picnic we discover the Benedictine monastery Sant Pere de Rhodes. Nestling between the Rhodes mountains the monastery is located at 500 metres altitude – safe from pirates and with a stunning view of the shiny blue sea.
In serpentines, the path twists down to the village Selva de Mar which was built in a valley hidden from pirates. The tower over the village bears testimony to the age of piracy. The terrain is demanding – we lead our four-legged and sure-footed friends by their reins.
We spend the night in a lovely hotel in the small romantic fishing town of Port de la Selva nearby.
Tiny white houses huddle against each other as if they were collectively seeking protection from the pirates.
Day 3: Trail ride to paradise!
Cove trail to the Cap – trail ride to paradise! Cap de Creus – the name itself evokes images of unspoiled nature.
The craggy peninsula descends into the Mediterranean. The sea gnaws at the Cap, has eaten into it and torn chunks out of it. Countless rocky bays remain in which the pirates found good hideouts.
Like mountain goats our „Andalusians“ negotiate the rocky terrain. In a beautiful bay, we have our picnic and go swimming - paradise!
The subsequent part of our trek also has a lot of excitement to offer. High above the sea our trail ride leads us through an untamed cliff top landscape.
Due to erosion caused by the strong Tramontana winds, mystical and bizarre rock formations adorn the Cap de Creus like ornaments.
We spend the night in Cadaques, the jewel of the Costa Brava. The whitewashed fishing village with its old crooked alleys is rightfully considered the most beautiful place on the wild coast.
The village's seclusion led to its inhabitants having to constantly defend it from pirates and their pillaging over the centuries. In the 16th century, the church Santa Maria was ransacked by the pirate Barbarossa and completely burned down.
Day 4: Great pleasure at Cap de Creus
On horseback, we ride through Cadaques. Where the village ends, a wonderful, wild coastal mountain landscape begins, covered with bushes and flowers. Ancient stone walls show us the way.
We rest in a beautiful bay with fine sandy beach and have a swim in the refreshing sea.
In steep turns the trail twists over a pass. Wild flowers decorate our path and spectacular views of the bay of Roses open up, whilst pines and cork oaks radiate Mediterranean flair. Through an old trading trail, we lead our horses down into the plain on a demanding terrain and stay overnight in a small, family wellness oasis with a heated whirlpool.
Day 5: Trail ride to the bay of Roses
Silvery green olive groves dazzle from the terraced slopes. We head towards Roses and visit the mighty citadel "La Cuitadella". This big fort was built to protect the region from pirate attacks. Behind the impressive walls we find important archaeological artefacts and the remains of the old monastery church.
Behind the battlements we walk across green fields, and amongst the impressive setting of the ruins framed by the mountains and the sea, we feel transported back through the centuries.
With a little luck, we might catch a view of the flamingos, storks, and little egrets, which are native to the wetlands we ride through.
On the boundary of the national park "Aiguamolls" our next lodge awaits us; a comfortable 19th century country cottage. The pool and the beautiful and ample garden invite us to relax after a long and adventurous day.
Day 6: Hoof marks in the sand & cliff line (*)
The waves wash over the fine sand, the horses are wide awake and want to pick up speed. Vamos Galope! Their hooves splash in the water and we draw a fresh trail across the sand. The beach gallop on "Playa Grande" is a dream for every rider.
Then suddenly all is silent. We disappear in the continental sand-dunes. The Mediterranean pine forest and its soft sandy floor absorb every hoof beat.
Leaving the woods, we encounter the most impressive cliffs on the Costa Brava. In a hidden cove we have our picnic, go swimming, and have a relaxing siesta.
Sometimes on stony, root-strewn paths, sometimes on narrow ridges high above the sea our route winds its way through the wild coastal landscape.
This is the end of our trail. After a short transfer to the accommodation, we enjoy a delicious dinner and remember the events of the last days.
Day 7: Adéu Coast of the pirates
Transfer to Barcelona or Girona. Departure or continue to another trail.
Information & Services
Character
The coastal trail ride 'Wild Coast Pirate Trail' is a very challenging trail for both horses and riders. Nature lovers and sporty riders will be delighted with this trail. To enjoy the pirate trail to the full, you should have some experience riding cross country on horseback and be able to ride at all three paces safely. A natural handling of the horses is very important on this trail ride. The Cap de Creus and the Montgri National Park are particularly challenging and some difficult passages will be covered on foot. You don´t need to have a head for heights but you should be comfortable and safe with hiking through the mountains and bring some adequate shoes.
Included services
- Riding program as described
- 7 days with 6 nights in a double room with shower and toilet, of which 1-2 nights' accommodation may be with a shared shower and toilet, 5 riding days
- Arrival day dinner included/departure day breakfast included
- 5 Riding days half board including wine
- Tax on stays in tourist establishments
- Transportation of luggage
- Local transfers during the trail
Not included services
- Flight or public transport (on arrival and on departure), taxi
- Collective airport transfer from/to Girona/Barcelona. Charge when arriving with own car (due to the distance of starting and ending point of the trail)
- Restaurant & Catering services during the ride: payable locally at the first dinner
- Entrance fees to Museums and Monuments
- Drinks/food in bars
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
- Coffee at dinner
- Tips for the team and other services
Notice
- First day: on arrival dinner is at approx. 9 p.m.
- Last day: before departure breakfast is at approx. 9 a.m.
- Due to local conditions, a route change or amendment may be necessary.
- The Pirates Trail can be ridden in both directions.
- The tour operator reserves the right to substitute the described accommodations by equivalent if necessary.
Accommodation
Single Room / Double Room / "Half Double Room"
Single rooms cannot always be guaranteed though booked. If a previously confirmed single room is not available, the guest is entitled to a refund of the price paid for those nights surcharge.
Single travellers have the option to book a "Half Double Room".
Half double rooms for bookings 60 days prior to departure can only be booked, if at that time a same-gender customer is also waiting for a roommate. If this is not the case, we will book a single room with the regular, advertised surcharge.
- Single room supplement + 30,- Euro/night
Transfer
Airport Barcelona
- Collective group transfer at 5:30 p.m., meeting point at the airport is in Terminal T1 in front of the Café TRAMOYA at the Group Meeting Point North located opposite from the "Oficina de Turisme" (after customs on the right).
- Please Note! If you arrive at Terminal T2 all five minutes a free shuttle bus brings you to Terminal T1!
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Please book your flight on the day of departure from 2:30 p.m. onwards!
Airport Girona
- Collective group transfer at 6:30 p.m. The meeting point at the airport is in front of Café CAFFRICCIO in the arrivals hall.
- Please book your flight on the day of departure from 1:00 p.m. onwards!
If the arranged transfer times do not fit with your arrival and departure times, we would be happy to organize a taxi for you (about €80-€120 from Girona, €240-€280 from Barcelona, depending on the trail start/end points). Other arrival and departure destinations provided on request.
Please Note: The transfer times can vary depending on flight arrival times/delays from other guests/traffic etc. Please be patient in these cases!
Transfers & CateringsGuaranteed departure
With a small group surcharge in case the minimum number of participants is not reached. (only on demand)
Important notice
Important notice to all customers!
All trail itineraries are general guidelines and in order to offer our customers the best riding holiday experience we make occasional changes.
Depending on the number of concurrent trails, the season, the weather and national holidays, we may make alterations to itineraries at short-notice, which could affect the number of riding hours per day, the route we take to any given destination or the use of alternative accommodation. Trails can also be ridden in both directions. All changes are at our discretion but when changes are made, we endeavour to ensure that our high standards of quality are maintained and reflected in the alternatives we choose.
(*) It is specified in the Coastal Law (Law 22/1988, of 28 July) and the regulations surrounding it (Royal Decree 1471/1989, of 1 December), that excursions operated in places of maritime public domain should not be for profit. We would like to advise that we do not charge for riding on any beach and therefore that part of any ride is free of charge.
Presentation, organization, photos and information by Rudi Stolz