Day 1 - Arrival
Riding: No riding.
You will arrive at Abella on the Pyrenees, a small Catalan village in the middle of the mountains with traditional old stone houses. Before dinner, you will go over the week's programme. You will be told about the special characteristics of the trail horses. You will be given an introduction to the programme with an opportunity for a one-to-one conversation to make sure that the right horse has been chosen for you. Then, you can enjoy a fantastic dinner!
Please note: during this night in Abella, guests are accommodated in apartments which have two or three rooms each. This means that whilst single rooms are possible (on paying the single supplement), guests still need to share a bathroom on this one night. If you prefer not to share a bathroom then it's possible to accommodate you in another accommodation 3km away.
Day 2 - From the Pyrenees to the Alto Garrotxa Natural Park
Riding: 6 - 8 hours
Your trail ride will begin from the stables in Abella, heading towards the Pyrenean mountains and the Salarsa valley. The valley is characterised by a typical large-scale landscape dotted with centenarian oaks. Descending to Sant Vanenti de Salarsa church with its typical Romanesque design you will continue down the valley until you reach the road between Beget and Oix. Here, you will stop for a picturesque picnic lunch by the Pont de Bolassell, a Romanesque cottage.
In the afternoon, you will head along narrow but comfortable path through a dense forest until you reach Coll de Salomo and the highest peak of the day at 850m. Riding along the top of the hill for 6-7 kilometres you will reach Sant Andreu de Bestacra, and descend to a spot where you will see a 100 year old holm oak growing determinedly between the rocks. You will follow the trails down to Oix, an area full of natural incredible beauty. Accommodation will be in a rural house tonight.
Day 3 - Espinavell Valley & the French Border
Riding: 6 - 8 hours
Departing from Beget after breakfast, you will begin the ride by heading in the direction of Rocabruna - a small mountain village with just 70 inhabitants. The village has a charming romanesque church - Sant Feliu - and a ruined castle which you will cross on horseback before beginning your climb up to 1600 m. At this altitude you will be close to the French border in the Pyrenees.
Descending once more, you will start to head towards your destination for this evening at Espinavell - a town where some of the most important Pyrenean cattle fairs are held each year.
Day 4 - Costa Bona mountains & the High Pyrenees
Riding: 6 - 8 hours
Your day will begin with an early breakfast and preparations for the trail. Departing from Espinavell, today will see you riding through some of the tallest peaks of the Pyrenean mountain range. The highest points measure 2600m, 2800m and 2000m at Vallter peak - the sort of landscape to offer up spectacular views of the whole area.
At the end of the riding day you will leave the horses and be transferred by road to Setcases and the hotel of La Cabanya to overnight.
Day 5 - Pic de L'infern & Carança
Riding: 6 - 8 hours
After breakfast, you will climb into the car and transfer the short distance back to the horses. Picking up the route where you left off, you will continue your journey through the mountains, including the Pic de L'infern - literally translated as the "peak of hell". You'll enjoy breathtaking views over the majestic Pyrenees and the Carança glacial lakes from your vantage point. In the afternoon you will cross the lake district, passing close to these pools of crystal clear, blue water, and the Ter river before descending to Setcases where you will spend another night.
Day 6 - Puig de sastre, Vall de Ripoll & L'Abella
Riding: 6 hours
Today will be a shorter day of riding. You will depart from Setcases after breakfast and enjoy an exhilarating day of long trots and canters across the meadows of the Ripoll valley. Crossing a variety of landscapes which range from open meadows to wooded forests, you will descend in the afternoon from the Puig de Sastre (at 199 m) to the village of L'Abella. Finally, you will arrive back at the riding centre, where everything will be ready for a farewell BBQ with your guides, hosts and fellow guests.
In the evening, you will transfer back to Setcases to stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 7 - Departure
Riding: No riding.
Breakfast and transfer to Barcelona.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.