Current as of: March 26, 2026 - 09:56
Catalan Classic Walk Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays, Short Breaks
- Destination: Spain
- Programmes: Walking & Trekking
-
Activity Level:
2 out of 7 - Easy & Moderate
- 5 Days: Land Only
- Ages: 12+
- Trip Code: W04CN
Trip Overview
Catalunya is steeped in culture with its traditions and festivals dating back over thousands of years. Rich in medieval villages, highlights of this region include prosperous Peratallada, peach coloured Pals and fashionable Begur. The rocky coastline is dotted with pretty fishing villages, crystal clear waters and beautiful beaches, which are all perfect to explore.
This short break holiday provides spectacular, yet relaxed walking and is perfect for people wanting to fit as much as possible into a short holiday. The route takes in the winding, sandy paths of mainland Spain’s loveliest coast experiencing frequent glimpses of dazzling aquamarine seas through the umbrella pines, as well as heading inland to discover the truly unspoilt landscape of the Catalan countryside. This is a wonderful region for bird and plant life. Over a third of the countryside is now protected under a government scheme to preserve natural habitats, which means a staggering variety of rare species: golden orioles, booted eagles, purple-shot copper butterflies and colourful wild flowers. Hidden deep in the forests are stunning natural curiosities, including the 5,000-year-old dolmens and sparkling freshwater springs which drew the first settlers to these parts thousands of years ago.
At a Glance
- 4 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation
- All continental breakfasts and 1 evening meal
- Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
- Route directions and maps
- Luggage transfers between hotels
- Walking transfers
Highlights
- Exceptionally varied walking, pretty coastal paths, lush green valleys, ancient cork and pine forest
- A fabulous mix of hotels including one night in a 4 star castle, plus swimming opportunities every day
- Stunningly rugged turquoise coast, secluded coves, hidden bays and outstanding views
- Excellent for bird-spotting
- Beautiful sandy beaches, traditional fishing ports and sun-drenched villages off the tourist trail
- Based on our popular 6 night, Catalan Classic Walk
Is This Trip for You?
Walking Conditions
Average daily distance: 15.6km (10miles). Please note that these are the distances for the shorter walks , however there is option to extend all of the walks.
No. of days walking: 3
Terrain and route: The walking is fairly gentle on well maintained paths and tracks.
Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodation, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can walk at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next.
It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The routes notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the hotels are normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.
Group
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. Your luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided. The route notes contain an emergency telephone number. In an emergency, the local hoteliers are normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service. Please note: the walking and luggage transfers included in this tour are subject to a minimum of 2 people (in total) booked on the departure. A supplement (payable in advance) to cover these transfers and sole occupancy of a room will apply if only 1 person is travelling on a departure date.
Adult min age: 12
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Calella de Palafrugell
- End City: Calella de Palafrugell
Land Only Itinerary
Arrive in Calella de Palafrugell
Arrive at your hotel where all Headwater guests are accommodated in rooms with private balcony and sea view. It’s just a 5 minute walk to the centre of town where you have so many restaurants to choose from that we’ve left evening meals here up to you. (Staying at Hotel Garbi)
Calella de Palafrugell to La Bisbal
You start with a 20-minute ride to Mont-Ras from where you have a choice of routes. Both routes take you into the Gavarres hills to visit three dolmens with fantastic views as far as Begur and the Illes Medes, before descending to the peaceful mediaeval villages of Fonteta and Vulpellac. Then it’s on to the Hotel Castell d’Emporda which has expansive views across the plain from the terrace by the pool. (Staying at the Hotel Castell d’Emporda)
La Bisbal to Begur
Gentle walking across the Emporda plain, stopping first at Peratallada, possibly the best preserved medieval village in Spain with its beautifully restored arches, arcaded passageways and lovely shaded squares. Continue through fields bright with sunflowers until you reach peach-coloured Pals, a lovely old village with Romanesque church affording stunning views. The final stretch takes you through pine forest to our family-run hotel in the old town of Begur. The food here is fantastic! (Staying at Hotel Rosa)
Begur to Calella de Palafrugell
Shaded forest paths take you to the lively seaside town of Tamariu, with a fantastic beach, where you pick up the pretty coastal path, passing rocky headlands and chic Spanish resorts en route to Llafranc, with spectacular views from the San Sebastian lighthouse. Enjoy lunch in one of the beachfront bars here, where you can almost dip your toes in the water as you eat! Then it’s back to Calella, perhaps continuing along the coastal path as far as the botanical gardens at Cap Roig, in time for a swim in the pool or a couple of hours on the beach before dinner. (Staying at Hotel Garbi)
Leave Calella de Palafrugell
Accommodation
Hotels
Our hand-picked hotels include the lovely, family run Hotel Garbi in the traditional fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell which is set on the hillside overlooking the sea. The magnificently restored 14th century castle, the charming Encís D’emporda which affords breathtaking views from its terrace and the Hotel Rosa in Begur is renowned for its food and is only 3km from the sea.
Single supplement from CAD 456
Food & Drink
Traditional Spanish food such as paella, chorizo and albondigas (meatballs) can be found on just about every menu in Catalunya, but there are plenty of tasty local specialities too. Local cuisine features plenty of fish, including world renowned anchovies from L’Escala, and botifarras (black pudding) from the mountains. A delicious starter is Pan Catalan, which is lightly toasted bread, drizzled with olive oil and topped with tomatoes and garlic. The geography of the area has developed regional cuisine mixing ‘surf and turf’; combinations such as chicken and lobster, or rabbit with prawns. Fruits also feature strongly with dishes combining chicken with figs, or pheasant and grapes. Dishes tend to be rich and hearty but there are also plenty of vegetable options for vegetarians. Catalan foods also feature sauces in many dishes, which are usually rich in flavour.
The region is also renowned for the production of Cava, around the town of San Sadurni de Noya. There is a herby, smoky, grassy flavour to some of these as a result of the grape varieties and climate. The region also produces some of Spain’s best wines. Though we do not cycle through San Sadurni de Noya, try the wine from this region if you spot it on a menu.
Weather & Seasonality
The trips runs from April through to October (except 5-23 Aug) with the early and later part of the season experiencing cooler temperatures, highs averaging 18-20°C and lows averaging 11-15°C. In the height of July temperatures will reach highs of 28-30°C so it is important to be prepared for this. There is always a chance of rain throughout the year, so it is always best to be prepared.
Weather Charts
Joining Instructions
British Airways Heathrow to Barcelona 09:35/12:45 then rail Barcelona Sants to Girona 15:40/16:15 then transfer to hotel 50 minutes. Return: Transfer to station 50 minutes then rail Girona to Barcelona Sants 12:56/13:34 British Airways Barcelona to Heathrow 18:15/19:35.
Business/club/first class seats are available on request.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Calella de Palafrugell
Location end: Calella de Palafrugell
What To Take
Essential Equipment
Walking boots
Water bottle
Daypack
Sun hat, sun cream and sunglasses
Warm jumper
Waterproof jacket
Optional Equipment
Walking poles
Swimwear
Reading List
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Barcelona and Catalonia
Homage to Catalonia: George Orwell
Practical Information
Visa
Spain
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Spain. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/spain
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/spain
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Spain.html
Vaccinations and Health
Spain
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus and rabies. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Local Time
Spain's time zone: Europe/Madrid (UTC +01:00)
Electricity
Spain's electricity: Plug type F (two round pins) – 230V, 50Hz
Money
Spain's currency: Euros (EUR)
ATM Availability
ATMs are widely available, but we recommend taking some Euros cash with you in case you can’t get to a bank at the start of the trip.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
You will need money for two dinners, all lunches, snacks and drinks and entry for any sites you wish to visit. Depending on your choice of restaurant dinners will range in price, we suggest allowing approximately €15-35. Lunches can be inexpensive if you buy produce from local markets or shops and make up a picnic. However, if you stop at a café you can easily spend €15. We would recommend budgeting for €5-15 for lunches and allow an additional €10 a day for any extras.
Bikes are available on the rest days. Please call for details and prices.
Sustainability and Impact
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
Important Information
Your Safe Participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call us and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
Seatbelts
All vehicles used by us should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by us based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.
Travel Safety
For additional information please have a look at the travel safety advice page on our website.
How to Book
Speak to our friendly team of experts to plan your adventure:
- Check availability: our website shows real-time availability of our guided group tours, or contact our team by phone, email or live chat.
- Hold a space: You can provisionally hold a space on any guided group tour to give you time to finalise your travel plans.
- Confirm your booking: Payment of a deposit will complete your booking and secure your place on the trip.
After booking
You will receive a confirmation document and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements. Our dedicated Customer Operations team will help you with any pre-travel questions or arrangements and can easily add extensions or extra accommodation to your booking. Final Joining Instructions will usually be sent out two to three weeks prior to departure.
Adding transfers to your booking
If you have arranged your own flights and would like to add transfers to your booking, please provide your arrival and departure details to our Customer Operations team around four to six weeks before departure.
- Where free transfers are included, they are available for any flight but can only be added to your booking once we have received your flight schedule.
- Where group arrival and departure transfers are available, these operate at fixed times. You will need to arrive in time to meet the scheduled transfer. If the timings don’t align with your travel plans, our team can arrange private transfers once they receive your flight schedule.
Trip Note validity
Trip notes may be updated after booking; if any updates significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary you will be advised in writing. A link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes will be sent out with your Final Joining Instructions before departure.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes, and occasionally it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
