Catalan Classic Walk

Activity Level

Easy & Moderate

Activity

Walking & Trekking

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.

Key Information

Trip Code: W04CN
Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays, Short Breaks
Countries: Spain

What's Included

All 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

3 days of Walking & Trekking

Terrain:

The walking is fairly gentle on well maintained paths and tracks.

Day 2: 17 km / 10.6 miles
Day 3: 16 km / 9.9 miles
Day 4: 14 km / 8.7 miles

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

Itinerary

First Destination: Calella de Palafrugell
Next Destination: Calella de Palafrugell

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:None

First Destination: Calella de Palafrugell
Next Destination: 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)

Meals included:Breakfast

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)

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

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)

Meals included:Breakfast

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)

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

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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.

Essential Information

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.