Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Email: [email protected]
Catalonia – Pyrenean Foothills – 5 nights The drama of La Garrotxa
https://www.onfootholidays.co.uk/routes/catalonia-pyrenean-foothills/catalonia-pyrenean-foothills-5-nights/
Route Summary
At a glance
5-night route (4 walking days), starting in Santa Pau (so, missing historic Besalu). Maybe an extra night at the end at Vic and nights in Barcelona too.
How much walking?
Full days: 12-16 kms per day, 3¾-6 hrs. Using shortening options: 8-16 kms per day, 2¾-6 hrs using shortening options on two days.
Max. Grade:
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People have been walking the Pyrenean foothills in northern Spain for millennia and you will be following in the footsteps of carters (traginers), charcoal burners (carboners), priests, bandits, peasants and smugglers who walked these paths day and night, rain or shine. Nowadays, you are only likely to meet other walkers on the smooth-worn cobbles – although the odd shepherd might wish you the time of day – since the ancient tracks of La Garrotxa are quiet and still for most of the year, and no longer bustle with life as they once did.
This walk into unspoilt Catalonia passes through beautifully preserved medieval towns and villages (Santa Pau, Rupit), and you can enjoy the region’s unique cuisine (Cuina Volcanica), product of its rich, fertile soil. The route takes you through the heart of La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park with its numerous (now extinct) volcanoes, winding up through the beech woods to the rolling pastures of the El Cabrerès plateau. The views are over the Catalonian hills and the towering heights of Mt. Puigsacalm to the majestic Pyrenees, before an astonishing day along the cliffs of the Collsacabra, across the lake of Sau by small boat and a night in a Parador overlooking the lake – from which you should see the church tower of a long-drowned village.
Route Highlights
● Breathtaking walking in unspoilt countryside ● Extinct volcanoes and tranquil meadows ● Walking the cliff edge of the Cabrerès and Collsacabra plateaux ● Catalan cooking and fabled hospitality ● Medieval Rupit and Santa Pau ● A boat trip across the Lake of Sau ● A night in a fabulously sited Parador
We Recommend
Nights in Barcelona to see this wonderful city, and to break the journey at either end.
Grading
Full days: 12-16 kms per day, 3¾-6 hrs. Using shortening options: 8-16 kms per day, 2¾-6 hrs using shortening options on two days.
page 2/8 Hills and valleys rather than mountains, and on tracks or footpaths. Some steepish and hilly sections. Highest point on route: 1,100m.
Medium: Average cumulative uphill stretches (CUSs) 557m per day (200m - 830m)
Easy-medium: CUSs 407m per day (230m-680m) using shortening options on Days 2 and 4.
GPX file available for handheld GPS or smartphone App for complete route.
Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information.
When to go
The best months to walk: April (except over Easter time!), May, June, September
Other possible months: July, August, October
The hilly terrain of Catalonia and its proximity to the Pyrenees make for a longer walking season than you would expect so close to the sweltering costas. While spring and autumn have their natural attractions, the summer months are also 'possible', though hotel availability is less certain and early booking therefore advisable. A heatwave can also make these months over-hot to walk. Although some hotels may be quiet outside of the high season, your welcome will be warm from our charming hosts along the way.
Use the calendar below to see in more detail the best times to walk, and note that our lovely accommodation in Rupit will usually be closed on a Monday and Tuesday, so time your start day appropriately.
Please note: date ranges shown are for a 'normal' year. While Covid-19 restrictions remain, please contact us to discuss your plans and availability.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Santa Pau
Arrive in Santa Pau, an engaging medieval town cobbled streets and distinctive architecture. Explore the town before enjoying your meal at our hotel's excellent restaurant.
Day 2 - Santa Pau to Sant Feliu de Pallerols
Volcanic scenery as you wind up and over La Serra del Corb (with short possible detours to the Santa Margarida volcano and Castell del Corb) and down through the volcanoes of Fontpobre and Can Tià to Sant Feliu. ( Medium-hard: 6 hrs - add 1 hr, 2 km for detours, 16 km, CUSs 680m.
Day 3 - Sant Feliu de Pallerols to Rupit
The morning sees you climb the ridge overlooking the village of Sant Feliu and up to the forests and pastures of the Cabrerès plateau. Our route includes a splendid viewpoint, a walk along the spectacular Collsacabra ridge and a waterfall plunging down 200m. (Medium-hard: 3¾ hrs, 14 km, CUSs 200m). Alternative - travel with luggage part way (Easy: walk 2¾ hrs, 9km, CUSs 300m) or whole way)
page 3/8 Day 4 - Rupit Circuit
A gentle day spent exploring the area north of Rupit with excellent views of the surrounding countryside. ( Easy-medium: 3¾ hrs, 14 km, CUSs 200m). Alternative: Explore the village and surrounding countryside and relax in your comfortable hotel.
Day 5 - Rupit to Parador de Vic-Sau
Another remarkable cliff-edge day with dramatic views. A stiff climb at the beginning of the day to the farmhouse of Rajols, through pleasant open woodland, precedes a morning of Collsacabra cliff-top walking to the sleepy but beautifully restored village of Tavertet, where a good lunch can be found at one or other of the many restaurants. The afternoon begins with a stroll to a viewpoint at the Turo de Castell, overlooking the lake of Sau – probably the best views of the route can be had from here. The steep descent through woodland is fun, before your arrival at La Riba, a short transfer and then a boat across the lake. Your final 3 km walk on the far side takes you to one of the best positioned Paradors in Spain. (Medium: 6 hrs, 16km (14km walking), CUSs 520m).
Travel Information
ARRIVING BY AIR
The best airport generally is Barcelona, though the nearest airport to the start is Girona. Flight information can change rapidly, and not all flights run daily. Please do check for yourself with the airlines’ websites before finalising any booking with us and do not book your flights until we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.
Land by: Girona 18:30 for pre-booked taxi to Santa Pau; Barcelona 15:00 for public bus connection to Olot 3 hrs) then pre-booked taxi to Santa Pau.
Return flight earliest: Barcelona 12:00 (Girona impracticable though possible)
Flights from UK and Eire airports (G=Girona, B=Barcelona) – various days and times:
Belfast Easyjet (B, seasonal, not daily);
Birmingham Ryanair (B, not daily), Thomson (G, seasonal, not daily);
Bournemouth Ryanair (G, seasonal, not daily)
Bristol Easyjet (B), Ryanair (G, seasonal, not daily);
Cork Ryanair (G, seasonal, not daily);
Dublin Aer Lingus (B). Ryanair (B, G, seasonal, not daily);
Edinburgh Ryanair (B, not daily);
Glasgow INTL Jet 2 (G, seasonal, not daily);
page 4/8 Glasgow Prestwick Ryanair (B, seasonal);
Knock Ryanair (G, seasonal, not daily);
Liverpool Easyjet (B);
Leeds Jet2 (B, not daily), Monarch (B, not daily)
London Gatwick Easyjet (B), Monarch (B, not daily), Thomson (G, seasonal, not daily);
London Heathrow BA (B);
London Luton Easyjet (B), Ryanair (G). Vueling (B);
London Stansted Ryanair (B, G, seasonal, not daily)
Manchester Monarch (B, not daily), Thomson (G, seasonal, not daily), Ryanair (G, seasonal, not daily), Jet 2 (G, seasonal, not daily);
Newcastle Easyjet (B, not daily);
Southend Easyjet (B, not daily);
See “getting to the start of the walk” below for transfer information.
ARRIVING BY TRAIN
Nearest railway station:
Start: Girona
End: Vic
Typical rail journey from UK via Paris and Figueres:
London: London to Paris by Eurostar leaving London St Pancras at 09:17 on Monday-Fridays, 09:22 on Saturdays & Sundays, arriving Paris Nord at 12:47. Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon, just 2 stops on RER line D. Paris to Barcelona by double-deck high-speed TGV Duplex leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:07 daily and arriving Girona at 19:59, then transfer to Besalu (1 hr). Look atwww.seat61.com/Spain.htm, and follow the London to Girona link for details and tips, and www.reiseauskunft.bahn.de for full timetables.
ARRIVING BY CAR
Leave your car at the end of the route, at the Parador. Taxi back to the first night (supplement).
page 5/8 Getting to the start of the walk
The first hotel is in Santa Pau and the last at the Parador de Vic-Sau, near Vic. Transfer times and methods are suggested for Girona (Gerona) and Barcelona airports below – it is actually best (if possible) to arrive via Girona and leave by Barcelona! For train arrival transfers see below.
GIRONA AIRPORT:
Outward: Pre-booked taxi transfer from Girona airport to Santa Pau c. 1hr.
Return: Not practicable (though possible with train via Barcelona) – best to use Barcelona
BARCELONA AIRPORT:
Outward: 2 buses 4 hrs to Olot then pre-booked taxi to Santa Pau OR Pre-booked taxi transfer from airport to Santa Pau (1¾ hrs).
Return: Taxi to Vic (book locally), then train to airport, 2½ hrs OR Pre-booked taxi transfer from last hotel to airport (1½ hrs)
Outward transfer from Girona Train Station:
Pre-booked taxi transfer direct to hotel (Santa Pau)
For pre-bookable taxi costs, see “Prices”
Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers’ Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information.
Where You'll Stay
Accommodation on this route ranges from the simple but friendly through antique stylish to Parador… along the way you will be offered a fabulous range of home-made food centred on the cuisine of this area of Catalonia.
Night 1 Santa Pau – Cal Sastre (dinner, B&B)
Comfortable hotel in excellent position on edge of historic centre.
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Night 2 Sant Feliu – Fonda Finet (dinner, B&B)
Functional but friendly fonda in quiet market town.
Night 3 & 4 Rupit – Hostal Estrella (dinner, B&B)
Historic hostal in centre of medieval Rupit.
Night 5 Tavernoles – Parador de Vic-Sau (B&B)
Fabulously sited modern parador, somewhat lacking in welcome and atmosphere - instead enjoy the rooms looking out over the lake and, from June to September only, the pool.
Barcelona accommodation: In Barcelona the choice of hotel is endless and you can always book your own, but we have found a nice little B&B near the Placa Catalunya which we can book for you – the 5 Rooms
page 7/8 Prices
Price: £930
Total 5 nights – start in Santa Pau. Stay in double/twin room, all breakfasts, 4 dinners, 4 picnics, luggage transfers between all hotels on walking route; full Walkers Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support.
All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.
Please note that the minimum party size on this route is two people.
Single Room Supplement (SRS): From £170 Large Party Saving (LPS): Groups of more than 2 people (on an identical itinerary, on the same booking and booked at the same time) – discount of at least £35 per person Maximum party size: 10
Add Ons
Further B&B nights in Parador at end of holiday: Call On Foot Holidays (seasonal pricing) Taxi from Girona airport to Besalu: From £66 (1-3 people), £75 (4-6) Taxi Girona Railway station - Besalu: From £50 (1-3 people), £58 (4-6) Taxi Barcelona airport to Besalu: From £214 (1-3 people), £247 (4-6) Taxi Parador to Barcelona airport: From £155 (1-3 people) Sending Walkers Packs to addresses outside the UK: £10-£40 (per pack, location dependent)
On Foot Holidays Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Griffin House, Malthouse Lane, Email: [email protected] Salisbury, SP2 7RF, United Kingdom
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