Spain Walking & Hiking
- Relais & Châteaux luxury each and every night
- Walk the Costa Brava’s ancient footpaths from cliffs to secluded coves
- Sun-kissed Catalan wines and authentic Pyrénées cuisine
- Gaze in awe at rugged peaks and shimmering lakes
- Prat de Cadí, an emerald meadow flanked by Pyrénées limestone crags
From Barcelona to the Costa Brava & the Pyrenees
Put one foot in front of the other. Feel the crunch of pine needles beneath your shoes. The sun’s warmth on your face. Repeat. The perfect rhythm to another perfect day. It’s simple to settle into this pace. To amble amid high cliffs, heavenly Costa Brava beaches and immense Pyrénées massifs as if there’s no separation between the landscape and your leisurely swinging limbs. Medieval towns unsullied by time. Whitewashed fishing villages. Curvaceous calas (coves) and an azure sea. Walking in Catalonia. One of travel’s most perfect pleasures.
Days 1-2 Relais & Châteaux luxury each night, starting at the incomparable Mas de Torrent 
Amble through bucolic countryside past farmers tending their crops in the Baix Empordà, a region whose vast network of trails is known to seduce hikers 
Walk the Costa Brava’s ancient footpaths from cliffs to secluded coves Half-moons of white sand and crystal clear water cupped by forested hillsides - these beaches are simply sublime.
Days 3-4 Gaze in awe at the rugged peaks and shimmering lakes surrounding Mount Carlit, one of the most beautiful spots in all of the Pyrénées Hike through the high Pyrénées with views of the Pedraforca massif, a mountain emblematic of Catalonia Recount the day's incredible trekking over a tasting of Catalan wines Cross the border into France for a hike that leads over stone bridges to the scenic Bouillouses Lake.
Days 5-6 Prat de Cadí, an emerald meadow flanked by Pyrénées limestone crags Trek through Cadí-Moixeró Nature Park along pine-clad slopes to Collet Roig for far-reaching vistas of the Cadí Valley and the spectacular Baridana gorge An amble through the Segre River Valley ends with a feast of tapas.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
Catalonia is just incredible. The landscape, from the breathtaking Pyrénées to the gorgeous Costa Brava, is absolutely spectacular. And then there are wonderful ancient villages, not to mention the seafood, the wine and getting to explore marvelous Barcelona! And tying it all together on this trip are wonderful centuries-old footpaths that lead you right into the heart of it, into hidden spots that locals know well but visitors don't often see. This is the part of Spain I can't wait to introduce to our guests.- Regional Manager, Spain
Premiere Inns
Mas de Torrent Hotel & Spa
Torrent (2 nights) A beautifully restored 18th-century manor house with stylish rooms and historic country charm. Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa, tennis)
Torre del Remei
Bolvir de Cerdanya (2 nights) Set amid acres of lush manicured gardens, this modernist château from the early 1900s was designed by a disciple of Antoni Gaudí. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool)
El Castell de Ciutat
La Seu d'Urgell (1 night) Hideaway Report calls it an "unpretentious and hospitable inn set on a ridge in the Catalan Pyrénées overlooking the picturesque Cerdanya valley." A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)
Provence & Costa Brava Walking & Hiking New!
From Sunny Southern France to Beguiling Barcelona
Classic:
Singles+Solos:
This Trip Is Rated Level 2-4
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Road Bike Average | Mountain Bike Average* | Walk & Hike Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 10-15 miles | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 16-20 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 21-25 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 26-30 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 31+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
*Mountain bikes are used in locations where the best riding is on a combination of dirt and paved roads. View trip locations
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- 6.2 miles
- 690 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- 5.6, 8.4 miles
- 1840 - 2460 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Level 3 1 Route Option Available
- 8.1 miles
- 2460 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 4.1, 6.1, 8.2 miles
- 820 - 2380 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- 4.7, 6.6 miles
- 2310 - 3920 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 3 1 Route Option Available
- 7.1 miles
- 1970 feet elevation gain
Terrain Description
Alpine trails, seaside village paths, country lanes, stone steps.More Recommended Trips
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For 33 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Spain tour experts. See our award-winning Europe At Large walking tours and hiking tours, Europe At Large biking tours and Europe At Large multisport tours.
