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NL Mountain & Coast Outlaw Trail
Overview
Trail Route
Day 1: Border-crossing mountain and coast trail
We start our Catalonia trail in the foreland of the Pyrenees, 120 km north of the capital Barcelona.
The stresses and strains of the journey fall away when we arrive at a mill in a marvellous riverside location. Our host's South American-style garden is a wonderful place to relax! At dinner, we meet our guide who tells us about the horses and the trail.
Day 2: Catalan jungle
We get to know our horses and set off. The path soon gets lost in a thick forest. Mind your head! Some branches are pretty low here in the ‘Catalan jungle’.
The trail moves in loops through the hills, circling fields and leading us to lovely villages built of natural stone. The crossing of a river turns our ride into an adventure! Happy and satisfied, we arrive at our accommodation and look forward to a delicious dinner.
Day 3: Trail to the Mountains
We set off early! At first, the flat countryside invites us to trot and canter. During a short stop in a quaint village bar, we treat ourselves to a refreshment on horseback. Then, we immerse ourselves in the first foothills of the Catalonian Pyrenees! We continue to a hidden picnic spot by a peaceful mountain stream.
In the afternoon, our Spanish horses climb diligently and sure-footedly over a pass with a magnificent panoramic view of the high peaks of the Pyrenees. We spend the night in an impressive former monastery, where our guest house was built more than 300 years ago.
Day 4: Let's go to the lake!
Stone and cork oaks dominate the vegetation on today's ride. The ground becomes increasingly sandy and suddenly we see turquoise-coloured water shining through the trees. The view of the lake, nestled between deep green mountains, is breathtaking! A delicious picnic is already waiting for us on the sandy beach.
We cross the mountains to reach a centuries-old estate. Over dinner, the hosts tell us gruesome tales of the Trabucaires, which have been passed down in their family for generations.
Day 5: In the land of outlaws
Today we ride deep into the wilderness of the Pyrenees. Hoofbeat by hoofbeat we approach France. A dense forest of cork and holm oaks now cover the mountains. While the horses spend the night near the border, we savour a delicious outlaw’s feast in the restaurant of the mountain village and return to our historic "Masia".
Day 6: Day of the 3 castles - a journey through time
Early in the morning, we sneak across the Spanish-French border. The rustic path to the border served as an escape route to France for bandits in the 19th century and for Catalan republicans during the Spanish Civil War. A majestic beech forest awaits us there, which seems like a tunnel to a journey through time. We pass a 2,000-year-old fort from the era of the Roman Empire. A former border defence fortress brings us closer to the present. Then, suddenly, an impressive medieval castle rises out of the forest! Here we have a beautiful lunch.
On the last few kilometres before our destination, we travel far back into prehistoric times. Between dolmens and menhirs, ancient burial and cult sites, the route leads us to a charming wine-growing village. We end this eventful day with a glass of red wine.
Day 7: Picnic by the sea
On our last day of riding, we follow the foothills of the Pyrenees until they sink into the Mediterranean. Our four-legged partners skillfully climb higher and higher. The deep blue water glistens to our right and left. At the foot of the mountains, the Empordà plain opens up like an African-style steppe. Behind us, the Canigó massif towers at a good 2,700 metres.
After roaming through the mountains like outlaws over the last few days, we look forward to a panoramic picnic in a spacious bay with a view of the crystal-clear sea. What a great end to this varied trail ride!
Day 8: Adéu France and Catalonia
After breakfast, our stay in Catalonia comes to an end – but the memories of this adventurous trail will stay in our minds for a long time!
Transfer to Barcelona or Girona.
Information & Services
Character
Exhausting but beautiful: The 'Trail of Outlaws' is very challenging for horse and rider! In 6 days you ride 200 km, of which 50% is in the mountains and 50% in the lowlands and on the beach. On all 6 riding days, 5-6 hours in the saddle are the minimum. On one day, you will even be in the saddle for 8 hours. Nature lovers and experienced riders are likely to be enthusiastic about this trail. To make this trail a real pleasure for you, you should be experienced with horses in open country and feel absolutely safe at all paces. A natural handling with the horses is necessary on this trail. In the Garrotxa Mountains and the Albera natural park, we have to dismount and lead the horses at points where the route is particularly challenging. You don't need to have a head for heights, but you should definitely feel safe being in the mountains and wear proper shoes for riding and walking.
Included services
- Riding program as described
- 8 days with 7 nights in a double room with shower and toilet, of which 1-3 nights' accommodation may be with a shared shower and toilet, 6 riding days
- Arrival day dinner included/departure day breakfast included
- 6 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
- 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 Trabucaires Outlaw 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