Spain & France

Ruta Trabucaires - montaña y costa

Spain & France

2.090 € p.p
+ servicios adicionales

Resumen

Descripción resumida

The Trail of Outlaws is a border-crossing Catalonia-trail, between France and Spain, from the peaks of the High Pyrenees to the Mediterranean. This 200 km trail leads us to a diverse and wild landscape. It is a challenging ride for experienced trail-riders.

History:

The Catalan Pyrenees along the French-Spanish border used to be the refuge for legendary bands of outlaws, the so-called ‘Trabucaires’.

The ‘Trabuc’ is a firearm with a trumpet-shaped muzzle. It is a dangerous and very effective weapon that was loaded with powder and tiny pieces of iron. Those bandits who were wearing the ‘Trabuc’ were called Trabucaires.

Duración

  • 8 días / 7 noches / 6 días de equitación

Personas

  • 4 - 12 Personas

Paisaje

  • Montaña y Mar
  • Zona costera del Mediterráneo

Puntos destacados y hechos

  • Long Catalonia Trail over 200 km
  • Two countries, France and Spain
  • Albera Nature Park
  • Abandoned medieval castle in the dense forest
  • Beach gallop in the bay of Roses
  • Most challenging round Trail of Catalonia

Nivel de equitación

  • 3 herraduras o más (Intermedio)

Recommendation

Good footwear is very helpful for Catalonia's longest round trip. In the mountains, often we must walk and lead the horses.

Itinerario

Day 1: Border-crossing mountain and coast trail

We start our Catalonia trail in the foreland of the Pyrenees, 150 km north of the capital Barcelona.

When arriving at the horse riding farm, we can rest after our travels. At dinner, we meet our guide who tells us about the horses and the trail.

Day 2: Trail to the Mountains

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 foreland of the Pyrenees with its vast extent is a wonderful destination for our trip in the saddle. 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!

In a cosy schoolhouse, Clara’s and Jordi’s family await us. They offer us a lovely accommodation with a pool.

Day 3: Garrotxa – the impassable Highland

Mountains of the Garrotxa: The trail changes from rocky and steep to downhill and soft. Next to freshwater is a perfect place for a break. The water runs like silver-coloured fibres, flowing over the marginal flat rocks where we can sit down. We jump in this natural pool. The ‘pool bar’ is open!

We enter a silent mountain landscape. After a steep descent, we reach a medieval village. Our friend and ‘gourmet chef de cuisine’ welcomes us in his little hostel at the river.

Day 4: Catalonia Trail between France and Spain

Durmast oaks and cork oaks determine the vegetation on our ride to the lake. The climb is serene, but we are rewarded at the lake!

Just one more gallop, until we discover the picnic.

Every hoof print brings us closer to France. A rustic path takes us over the border. This pass was used as an escape route both by the outlaws and the Catalan Republicans in the Spanish Civil War in the 19th century. A thick forest of beech trees and chestnuts cover the mountains.

The Hostal de Trabucaires was once a meeting point for the outlaws. Today we stay in this simple but cozy hospice.

Day 5: The Albera Mountains – a transnational natural park

At 2,700 m above sea level, the Canigo massif is the highest point in the North. The peak of Canigo is considered sacred in Catalonia.

With the calming sound of the horses’ hooves, we pass the Albera Mountains and return to Spain. Between mountains and valleys covered with woods, a powerful castle rises from inside the natural park. Even today the former use of the castle remains a mystery. Mesmerised we feel as if we are in the land of knights while we have lunch in a rustic restaurant.

At the foot of the Albera mountains, the lowlands of the Emporda open up. From the African-like grasslands, we glance to impressive rocks of sandstone until we catch sight of the Mediterranean coast with its shiny, blue water.

After a very long riding day, our horses look forward to their delicious food.

Day 6: The Emporda – lowlands between Mountains and Sea

With our horses, we trek through a landscape of grasslands. Later, large estates and rich medieval villages built of natural stone are waiting for us. Goods originating here were often stolen during transportation to France by the Trabucaires in the 19th century.

Further south, we get to a wetland. With a jaunty gallop through the paddy fields, we reach the coast. We find cosy accommodation for the night at the country house of Anna and Miguel close to the sea, as well as ‘good Catalan cuisine’.

Day 7: Trail riding on the beach! (*)

We just can’t get up early enough today to go to the beach on horseback. With the first rays of sunlight we get to the sea. The surf crashes on the fine sandy beach and we let our horses fall into a wonderful gallop. Miles of sandy beach are ahead of us!

The back country awaits us with a lovely landscape of hills and fields. Impressive ‘Castillos’ and villages of natural stone line our path back to the horse riding farm, the starting point of our journey.

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.

> Important notice to all customers!

Información & Servicios

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
Traslados y catering

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 + 40,- 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!
  • 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 LAVAZZA 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!

Traslados y catering

Guaranteed 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

Reserva

Disponible los meses

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Calendario/Fechas

Desde: hasta: Precio Reservar ahora
dom, 14.04.2024 dom, 21.04.2024 2.090 € *
dom, 12.05.2024 dom, 19.05.2024 2.090 € *
dom, 15.09.2024 dom, 22.09.2024 2.090 € *
dom, 13.10.2024 dom, 20.10.2024 2.090 € *
dom, 03.11.2024 dom, 10.11.2024 2.090 € *
* Precios más servicios no incluidos

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