Volcano and Castle Trail - Catalonia

Explore the wild and remote region of the Garrotxa Volcanica a spectacular region of Catalonia, experience the sensation of stepping back in time as mountain villages, medieval castles, abbeys and churches steeped in history, perch on the edges of the sculptural rock with fortified walls and stone cobbled roads, banishing vehicles in favor of horses. Discover the hidden valleys of La Miana and Santa Pau through dense oak forests providing a fast start to this trail some long trots and canters past gushing waterfalls. Encounter some of the most intriguing villages Catalonia has to offer, Santa Pau, a spectacular walled medieval village, built out of volcanic rock. Rupit undoubtedly one of the most picturesque villages in all of Spain, where the houses seem to grow out of the hillside itself and Cabrera, a sanctuary at 1300 m. a 300 m² platform with a church in the middle, quite rightly named home of the gods by the locals. Venturing through the Garrotxa Volcanica on horse is the ultimate way to discover this lunar landscape, the terrain is soft volcanic gravel, excellent for long trots and fast gallops to Santa Margarita, the biggest and most spectacular volcanic crater of the area. Castles are in abundance with the 13th. Century castle of Sant Salvador and Finestres, offering breathtaking views of the volcanoes and from the heights of Santa Julia del Mont we admire the Pyrenees on one side and the Mediterranean on the other. Here you have the sensation that nobody has trodden this mountainside for years and the view is yours alone. The Volcano and Castle trail a truly unforgettable journey.

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Included: 7 nights accommodations in hotels and country inns, all meals, 6 riding days
8 days/ 7 nights  $ 1,375
  Low Season $ 1,195
               Single: +$230 if requested
-- based on € 965 / 845   Single  €160   
2008 Dates:
02/24-03/02    03/30-04/06     04/13-04/20
05/11-05/18    05/25-06/01    06/08-06/15
06/29-07/06    07/20-07/27    08/31-09/07
10/05-10/12    10/19-10/26    11/02-11/09 

  check availability

Meeting: Sant Jaume de Llerca
Airport:  Barcelona or Girona
Transfer: Barcelona at 6:30 PM
or Girona 7:30 PM   $115  (€ 79)
Level:     Intermediate+ riding level
Tack:    English trekking,  some Spanish
             and Western
Horses:  Spanish & Andalusian cross
Pace :     Moderate with nice canters
               and gallops, 4-6 hours a day
Min/Max Riders: 6-10
Note:      Some steep mountain trails
Non riders (accommodations, breakfast and dinners) deduct $350  (€ 260)  -  best to rent a car for all non riders.

DAY 1:
Transfer from the airport in Barcelona to Sant Jaume de Llerca and up a a narrow winding track through thick forest and Mediterranean "jungle", perched high up on top of a ridge, we come to our destination - a mountain lodge. An 11th-century stone farm house with a commanding view over miles of forests and mountains to the snow capped peaks of the Pyrenees. Here you will meet the family, the guide, the cook and of course, the horses that are stabled here. At dinner the guide will go over the week’s program, you will be told about the special characteristics of our Andalusian trail horses. And then people can discus their riding experience and the sort of horse that they would like to ride.
DAY 2: The Volcano Trail
After meeting our horses and tacking up, we begin our journey riding down the hidden valley of La Miana, through dense oak forests. Over the crest we enter the Santa Pau valley, another world of small family farmsteads and little villages, here we will make a welcome stop in a local bar, and drink a glass of wine under the shade of a grape vine. We will have a swim and eat our picnic by a waterfall. Santa Pau is a walled medieval village, built out of volcanic rock, presided over by the central castle. It is surrounded by volcanic cones, that are now dormant, there we will settle the horses for the night, take a walk in the village, have a drink, a "tapa" and home to Can Jou, for dinner and more delights of the Catalan cuisine.
Day 3 - Castles & Volcanoes
This morning we go to Santa Pau and start our day with a coffee in the best cake shop in the region. Santa Pau is a walled medieval village, built out of volcanic rock, presided over by the central castle and surrounded by volcanic cones that are now dormant. Then we saddle up and the day begins with a climb up the ridge to the castle of Finestres. The views of the volcanoes beneath us are breath taking. For lunch we will have a picnic in the 13th. Century castle of Sant Salvador. After lunch the horses warm to some long trots and canters down to the village of Sant Feliu de Pallerols, here we settle the horses for the night and before going to the hotel we will have a welcome drink in the square and we will go to our Hotel. This is a charming family run Hotel famous for its excellent cuisine, fantastic hospitality and good wine.
Day 4 - Up to the table mountains
The day begins and we saddle up and ride through the village and across the planes through fields of wheat and sunflowers. Then an ascent up to the mountain meadows where cattle & horses are sent to graze in the summer time. Here we are aware of the strength, sure footedness and stamina of the horses as they power their way up the hill. At the top we can see the Pyrenees in the background and in front long views out to the distant coast. Today’s picnic is eaten by an immense waterfall. Up here it is flat and we can gallop over the meadows to the village of Rupit. This is probably the most picturesque village in Spain. The local architecture is a treat. We settle the horses for a well earned rest and we go to our hotel in the centre of the village. This is another old hotel full of local character.
Day 5 - La Mare de Déu de Cabrera
This is a sanctuary at 1300 m. a 300 m² rock platform with a church in the middle; from up here the views are breath taking. This is our goal for today. The morning is spent riding through meadows of flowers and herbs keeping out of the way of the large herds of mountain cattle. This is a long morning ride.
Our picnic is in Cabrera, home of the gods. And, wow, what incredible views! This most spectacular day in the heights finishes with the descent to the little hamlet of Joanettes for a welcome drink to finish off a perfect day.
Tonight we spend in the house of Jordi and Carmen a special rural Inn. Here you can try the local cheese and sausages, and some great wines.
Day 6 - The Volcano Run
The day begins with one of the best breakfasts that you have ever had which can make getting back onto the horses difficult, then we ride onto the village of Les Preses, with time to explore the narrow winding streets and see the local architecture and Romanesque churches. We ride out through a beach forest, a sea of green and silence and stop to visit a local bar for a welcome drink before picnicking next to Santa Margarita, the biggest and most spectacular volcanic crater of the area. The terrain is soft volcanic gravel, which is excellent for fast work, here the riders and the horses enjoy long trots and fast gallops. In the afternoon we trustingly leave the horses next to a volcano (that has been dormant for 1000 years). We are then again transported back to our mountain lodge, for a well earned rest, a swim in the pool, and maybe even a massage.
Day 7 - Return home
We saddle up and head along the valley of the river Ser. Today we are heading for home, the horses sense this and the riding is lively. We ride through two picturesque villages with narrow streets, old wooden doors and intricate stonework.
Today we arrive back at the lodge after our six day Volcano Trail and we celebrate our arrival with a splendid farewell dinner accompanied by lots more cava, a fitting end to a wonderful week.
DAY 8: GOOD-BYE
Happy and relaxed, we sadly say good-bye and "hasta pronto amigos ".  Transfer out. Arrival at the airport in Barcelona is estimated around 11:30 AM. If you are staying for an extra few days, there is a good train connection from the airport to the center.

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Medieval Rupit