Horseback Riding in Spain

Catalonia Coast Trail

Overview

Catalonia is a region of diverse landscapes, mild climate and complex cultural history, and the Catalonia Coast Trail opens the wild side of this region to you. On the three shorter riding days, you visit the castle of Perelade, a bodega and cathedral, as well as enjoy a wine tasting and visit the oldest P.R.E Stud in Catalonia.

The pace of this horse riding trip in Spain is moderate so you can savor the rich sensory impressions and also enjoy the gracious accommodations that await you each evening.

Lodging is planned in small and very comfortable village and rural hotels, providing twin-bedded rooms and en-suite baths.  When available, places with character and history have been chosen.  Rooms on most nights have en-suite facilities, though they may be small in size.  Single accommodations can be arranged at an additional charge of 40 Euro per night.

A support vehicle will follow the riders during the entire trip, meeting for meals and at night. Breakfast, aperitifs and most meals are included while on the trek. The local cuisine is excellent and much consideration is taken when planning the meals to provide riders with a sampling of the many different dishes produced in the area. 2 dinners and 1 lunch are not included in the cost and there is a 180 Euro fee payable locally in cash to the outfitter at the first dinner to cover those 3 restaurant meals.

  • Overview:
    The horses are Andalusian and Spanish horses, typically mountain bred, and range in height from 15 - 16 hh. They are selected for their good nature and endurance, and are well-suited to the terrain and safe in difficult areas, quick and powerful in canter and gallop, intelligent and reliable, and are fun to ride. Occasionally you will be riding on rural paved roads and on cobblestone streets through villages. English trekking saddles and Spanish saddles are used. Saddle bags are provided
  • Horse Breeds:
    Andalusian and Spanish horses
  • Trip Pace:
    moderate
  • Tack:
    english trekking
  • Weight limit:
    200 lbs

This is not a recommended option for non-riders.

Barcelona or Girona. You will be met at the Barcelona International Airport at 5:30pm or the Girona airport at 6:30pm on the first day of your ride. You will be returned to Barcelona airport at about 1:00pm, or Girona airport at about 11:00am, on the last day of the ride.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Pickup in Barcelona late afternoon ( 5.30 from the airport) and transfer to a Catalan country house which dates back to the 17th century. The rooms are tastefully furnished with views over meadows, forests and the surrounding horse pastures. What a place to start your horse riding holiday

Day 2

A short vehicle transfer takes you to the farm of Mas Alba, a typical Catalan farm which has been run by the same family for over 500 yrs. Here you will meet the horses and get ready for the ride.

Today’s ride passes through deep stone oak and pine forests as you are leaving the village behind and head towards the river Fluvia. Sunrays break through the deep green of the seemingly tropical jungle. Bamboo trees border the path, and high up creepers and vines grow around the trees. You are in Spain but the atmosphere reminds of Costa Rica. At the river a picnic lunch is prepared for your arrival. Enjoy various Catalan delights including fresh salads, Manchego cheese, home-made goat cheese, fruits such as figs, peaches and cherries complete this fantastic lunch. In the afternoon, ride to the outfitters friend Bogi. The South American style garden is a wonderfully relaxing paradise. What a great way to end the first day’s ride.

Day 3

Lonely paths are winding through the green flood plains along the river and a pleasant tranquillity surrounds you. As you ride through the Catalonian natural stone villages the hooves of the horses echo through the narrow streets and alleys. Enjoy another tasty picnic lunch by a lake and later in the afternoon enjoy a long canter towards the coast. Depending on the season we spend the night in a beautiful beach hotel by the sea or in a mill from the 16th century close to the beach.

Day 4

Wake up very early this morning to the murmuring sounds of the waves. You can smell the coast, the wind and the salty air. Enjoy the early morning hour as you are galloping along the sandy beach at sunrise. After the beach ride follow the river Fluvia and wind your way through fruit orchards. Ahead is the open expanse of ride fields amid which you find the impressive accommodations for the night at Catalonia’s oldest P.R.E stud. Wonderful horses and charmingly furnished rooms await you. A picnic lunch will be served and you’ll have the afternoon to explore the Stud Farm. In the evening a chef will prepare a delicious paella with seafood and fresh vegetables.

Day 5

Canter and gallop across sunflower and corn fields until you reach the medieval village of Castello with its magnificent cathedral. From here ride through the marsh of Aiguamolls which is a refuge and hatchery for many birds. Crossing grazing land you ride speedily and pass fields of vines and sunflowers on the way to Perelada where you arrive at the guesthouse of Fina and Pere where you spend the night. The beautiful garden and the swimming pool are perfect for relaxing. Enjoy another delicious picnic lunch before visiting Perelada castle and the local bodega. Learn about Cava and have a tasting of it as well. Salud

Day 6

Today pass wild cane, cork oaks and intricate stone terraces with age-old olives trees lining the path. The oil from this area plays an important role in the Catalan cuisine. Follow the path of the river Llobregat and ride through the wild landscape at the foot of the Albera Mountains. Cork and stone oak forests are now dominating the landscape and vineyards occasionally interrupt the landscape. Visit a family owned vineyard and taste some of the best wines of the lowlands. Spend the night at Emilia’s country house in the village of Garriguella which lies in the wine growing district. The tasteful furnishings, the whirlpool and a nice ambience are perfect for relaxing. Emilia is well-known for her delicious Mediterranean cuisine which you can enjoy extensively.

Day 7

Ride along the wild coast to the Gulf of Lion today. Diligently the horses climb over the coastal mountains, the last foothills of the Pyrenees. Having reached the crest, a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire Gulf of Lion up to the mysterious mountain Canigo is awaiting you. After a picnic on the beach travel back to Emilia’s country house and enjoy a wonderful farewell dinner.

Day 8

After breakfast, transfer to Barcelona or Girona.
You will be returned to Barcelona airport at about 1:00PM, or Girona airport at about 11:00 AM, on the last day of the ride. Please make flight arrangements no earlier than mid-afternoon on that day.

Itinerary Addendum

The itinerary is flexible. Changes may occur at the guide's discretion based on weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

Trip Map

Trip Dates & Pricing

Departure Dates

Trip Starts
Trip Ends
Feb 18, 2024
Feb 25, 2024
Mar 10, 2024
Mar 17, 2024
Apr 7, 2024
Apr 14, 2024
May 5, 2024
May 12, 2024
May 26, 2024
Jun 2, 2024
Sep 22, 2024
Sep 29, 2024
Oct 6, 2024
Oct 13, 2024
Oct 20, 2024
Oct 27, 2024

Pricing & Options

  • Base Price
  • $2,990

  • Pricing Variation
  • Restaurant & catering fee: 180 Euro payable during the first dinner
  • Single Supplement
  • 40 Euro per night per person, depending on availability, payable in cash locally.
  • Transportation
  • Group transfers are 75 Euro each way per person from Barcelona, 60 Euro each way per person from Girona.
Additional Pricing Information:
Prices are based on the dollar/euro exchange and are subject to change. Ride price is set, guaranteed, and final at the time deposit is paid.


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Contact Biggi Hayes

The outfitter is excellent.  His level of organization was superb.  It’s hard to imagine another outfitter being up to his exacting standards.  I was very impressed.  His care of horses and tack was extraordinary and I realized how important that was to me.  The overall organization put into the planning and timing of all the aspects of the ride is nothing short of impressive.  The ride leader was the most wonderful young man I could ever hope to accompany me on a five day ride.  I cannot praise him enough – he’s an absolute jewel.  Thank you so much for one of the greatest experiences of my life and I’ll certainly be back.

Priscilla Friedberg, March 2011