Self Guided Pyrenees Hike

Activity Level	Medium Challenging
Accomodation Standards
Start/Finish	Ripoll/Rives de Freses
Distance	85Km/52Miles
Tour Type	Hiking - Self Guided
Availability	May/June/July/Sept/Oct

Overview

The Catalan Pyrenees are spectacular and unspoilt, a vast mountain range where the stone houses of the mountain villages are nestled around Romanesque churches and against the mountain edges. It is a beautiful walking area, which benefits from the warmest climate in the whole Pyrenees chain, and where hikers enjoy the beautiful walks,the welcoming accommodation and unspoilt nature. Walking along ancient paths, the golden eagles and griffon vultures cercle in the endless blue sky. Our route crosses one of the most beautiful regions of the Spanish Pyrenees, a region that, despite its natural beauty, authentic mountain villages and rich culture, is largely unknown to foreigners. It is the heart of Catalonia, where the red-yellow Catalan flag flies proudly. As you walk from village to village, you will discover two different landscapes: the Pyrenean high mountains, with spectacular views of the Pic de Puigmal and Mont Canigou; and the wooded hills of La Garrotxa towards the Mediterranean. Discover the Catalan cuisine and wine, with delicious sausages and cold cuts, trout and robust wines from the coastal plains. If you are looking is one of the best places in the Pyrenees to hike and we are sure that with the spectacular mountain scenery, beautiful mountain walks, fantastic accommodation and delicious Catalan cuisine you will have a fantastic walking holiday.

Transfer from Ripoll to Camprodón the first day)
Welcome meeting with local English-speaking guide
Accommodation (B&B) (3 and 4 Stars Hotels and 2 Rural Hotels)
Transfers from the departure or arrival points, as detailed in the program
Luggage transfer every day
Detailed maps of every stretch
Emergency contact number 24/24
All the tourist information about the route

Distance Instructions

Itinerary

DAY 1. ARRIVAL

Arrive in Ripoll on your own way, from where you will be transferred to the charming mountain village of Camprodon. In the afternoon you can visit the beautiful village of Camprodón, which lies at the confluence of the Ter and Ritort rivers. Camprodon has a historic town centre, rich in historical buildings and cozy cafes and restaurants. Welcome meeting with our guide who will explain you the tour and will give you the GPS and the maps (welcome meeting could be day 2 in the morning).

DAY 2. CAMPRODÓN - MOLLÓ (13,7Km- 4 Hiking hours)

You start your adventure with a fairly easy but beautiful hike in the Alt Garrotxa, which first takes us through lush meadows. We then descend through forests and valleys, pass abandoned and sometimes renovated farmhouses and finally arrive in the village of Molló with a beautiful Romanesque church from the 12th century.

DAY 3. MOLLÓ- SETCASES (13 KM - 5/6 hiking hours)

Today we have a spectacular hike over two mountain passes with impressive views: to the west, the spectacular Pyrenean peaks and to the east, the wooded hills of the Garrotxa. We start with a long and moderate climb to the Col de Fembra Morte (1,728m), and we continue towards the Col de Lliens (1,864 m) – a good place for a picnic. We continue on the northern flank of Puig de les Agudes before descending through beautiful landscapes to the village of Setcases. the Cap the Creus Natural Park to our hotel. Accommodation in the hotel.

DAY 4. CIRCULAR ROUTE SETCASES (13,7KM - 5/6 Hiking Hours)

A circular route today in the high mountains. A short transfer (15 minutes) takes you to the Vallter ski station. After a gradual climb you will reach the Coll de la Marrana, an excellent viewpoint. You are surrounded by peaks over 2800 m high. You follow a beautiful path through high alpine meadows where, with a bit of luck, you will see the rock ptarmigan. This is also the playground of marmots and chamois, which are plentiful here. After a gradual climb you will reach the top of Les Borregues (2687 m) with an unforgettable 360º view. On a clear day you can see the Gulf of Roses! Take some time to stretch your legs before beginning the long descent to Setcases.

Alternative Route: Distance: 10.4 km; Positive altimeter: 976 mt.
A short transfer (5 mins) takes you to “Pla de la Molina” where a path follows the river Ter upstream to the ski station car park. The path crosses the road and continues to climb until it crosses the road again. The path continues to climb to the Ulldeter mountain hut. You have now climbed 4 km and after the hut you continue up to the Coll de la Marrana. At the Coll de la Marrana we see the steep slope of the Bastiments, but you turn left onto a path that leads to the Coll de la Coma de l’Orri. Here begins the descent back to Pla de la Molina, where a transfer will pick you up.

DAY 5. SETCASES - CAMPRODÓN (13,6KM - 4/5 Hiking hours)

A very pleasant walk through the Ter valley with spectacular panoramic views. We pass the beautiful village of La Roca, which seems to hang on the rock (roca) on which it is built. From here the path continues along the river to the village of Camprodon.

DAY 6. CAMPODRÓN - RIVES DE FRESER (20km - 6/7 Hiking hours)

After a 10-minute transfer to the mountain village of L’Abella, a spectacular, gradual climb follows through a wild valley to the Collada Verda pass (1,606 m). The views over the valley and high mountain peaks are unforgettable. The hiking trail winds through pristine mountain scenery where golden eagles and griffon vultures soar high in the air. After a long but very nice walk we arrive in the village of Ribes de Freser. Alternative : Short hike of 11 km and 560 meters in altitude. A 45-minute transfer service will take you to Sant Marti d’Ogassa, from where you can walk a shorter version to Ribes de Freser.

DAY 7. NURIA - QUERALBS (10,6Km - 3/4 Hiking hours)

End of the Stretch 1 from Portbou to Sant Pere Pescador. Possibility of continuing the Stretch 2 and complete all the itinerary. Paris, Girona, Barcelona and Madrid. End of services.

DAY 8. DEPARTURE DAY

Optional transfer service to Barcelona ot Girona.

What's Included

GUIDE (optional): official, english speaking guide
LEVEL: Medium
CLIMBING PER DAY:between 450 and 750m
TERRAIN: a combination of wide and narrow hiking trails, with some steep
Climbing and descending.

Accommodations

GUIDE (optional): official, english speaking guide
LEVEL: Medium
CLIMBING PER DAY:between 450 and 750m
TERRAIN: a combination of wide and narrow hiking trails, with some steep
Climbing and descending.

Extensions

Information:

PRE STAYS & POST STAYS in Barcelona.
Further information and booking please contact: hola@walkingcostabrava.com
Walking tours are led in Catalan, Spanish, English and French by professional licensed guides.
Walkingplanets! Is fully covered with Hiscox Insurance Company Ltd with a policy of 300.000€.