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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.