HIKE, BIKE & ENJOY
HIGHLIGHTS
✔ Discover Catalonia through this unique experience that combines the picturesque countryside and the beautiful Costa Brava coast
✔ Walk the Costa Brava’s ancient footpaths from towering cliffs to peaceful coves
✔ Discover the Old Town of Girona with its tiny cobbled streets and buzzing squares on your way to the Coast
✔ Enjoy hand-picked small hotels after a day full of outdoor adventure
Start dreaming!
ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrival day and orientational (introductory) bike ride visiting the “Wool lady and her sheep”
Bienvenidos!
When you arrive, we’ll greet you at the airport (Girona or Barcelona) and bring you to your first accommodation in the small village of Serinya, where you will be staying in a boutique “masia” (Spanish country house). This eco-friendly, off-grid house is settled at the foothills of the picturesque Pyrenees. Here, you’ll be warmly welcomed by the friendly owners who will show you to your cozy room, with a private bathroom, and share with you all there is to do during the next 3 days.
Once you’ve settled in, we’ll take a leisurely afternoon bike ride which will lead us to a local “granja de ovejas” (sheep farm). Here we will meet the owner, Bridgette, who will show us traditional Catalan weaving. And as a special treat, we will also be able to try some of her homemade “Ratafia”, the local liquor of the region.
When we arrive back at the masia, we will enjoy a fantastic home cooked meal, prepared by the owners.
Day 2
Bike ride to Banyoles Lake for Kayak activity and picnic lunch by the lake
Following breakfast at the hotel, we will go by bike to the nearby Banyoles Lake. Once at the lake, you’ll enjoy 2 hours of kayaking with local instructors in glassy, pristine waters. Then we’ll have a picnic lunch on the edge of the lake surrounded by nature. On our return to the masia, we’ll stop at a local market for ingredients to prepare your self-catered dinner.
Day 3
Biking along the “Via Verdes” Serinya- Girona - Sant Feliu de Guixols
With an easy pace, it should take us about 2 hours (20 km) to reach our next stop - the beautiful city of Girona! With over 1,000 years of history, Girona offers you the opportunity to flex your cultural muscles as you explore the winding cobblestone streets in the old quarter. With 2 ½ hours to explore the city, there will also be time for a classic Spanish lunch of tapas.
After lunch, there’ll be no time for a siesta, as we continue our way along the Vías Verdes of Costa Brava, down to the Mediterranean shores of Sant Feliu de Guixols (approx 40 km). After checking into the hotel here, you will be free for the evening to explore the village and dine at your leisure.
Day 5
Hiking day along the Costa Brava Coast: Palamós - Llafranc
After breakfast, we head up the coast leaving Palamós behind. Following the Camí de Ronda will bring us to cap Gros. Here we will have a bit of a climb where you will be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding landscape and sea! As we continue on, we reach la Fosca beach, where you’ll have the chance to explore the ruins of Sant Esteve castle.
From here we continue along the trail which takes us through the small fishing village of s’Alguer, with its traditional mediterranean architecture, and then to Castell Beach, one of the only virgin beaches of the Costa Brava. Our trek continues through beautiful coves and over seaside peaks until we reach Llafranc, where we will head to our small, seaside hotel for some much needed rest.
Day 4
Hiking day along the coast: St. Feliu de Guixols to Palamós
We leave the village of Sant Feliu de Guíxols and follow the seaside trails through Cala del Molí, Cala Maset and up to Platja de Sant Pol. After Sant Pol, we follow the Camí de Ronda past S’Agaró to Platja d’Aro and on to Sant Antoni de Calonge. As this narrow path passes between cliffs, you will be treated with beautiful views of crystal clear coves and sandy white beaches. The final stretch from Sant Antoni de Calonge to Palamós is a beautiful promenade with astonishing sea views.
Optional: Together with our local guide, we will take you to visit the fish auction where the local restaurants find their freshest seafood. Afterwards the local guide will take you to a tapas tour of the most authentic “tavernas” of Palamós and give you some personal recommendations for his favorite restaurants in Palamós.
Day 6
Relaxing day on the beach, exploring Llafranc and Calella de Palafrugell
A visit to Catalonia is never complete without some time spent relaxing at the beach, and after 5 days on the move you deserve it! The picture perfect village of Llafranc, considered by many to have one of the most beautiful beaches on Spain’s mainland, is the perfect place to lounge in the sun, watching the local fishing boats. While the village gets quite lively during the summer months, it remains far enough from the main tourist destinations to keep its laid back charm.
In addition to enjoying the sun and surf, you’ll also have time to explore the village’s shops and restaurants at your leisure.
Day 7
Hiking from Llafranc – Tamariu – back by watertaxi
Now that you’ve had a chance to recharge, it’s time for our final hike.
First, we head to Sant Sebastià lighthouse, known as the most powerful lighthouse on the peninsula. Here, we’ll also explore the historic chapel, a medieval watchtower, and the ancient remains of an Iberian settlement. From this point, beneath the cliff known as "Salt de Romaboira", the views of the coast are as impressive as any you’ll come across this trip.
We then follow a narrow path towards cala Pedrosa, twisting over the cliffs towards the beautiful village of Tamariu. Here, we’ll cap off the week’s adventure with a paella lunch on the beach, before taking a water taxi back to Llafranc.
Day 8
Farewell & Transfer to the Airport
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, it will be time to say adéu as we return you to the airport in Girona or Barcelona.
Hasta pronto!
Get in Touch
info@naturallycatalonia.com / Tel. +34 611 03 59 94
