Spend 7 fantastic days walking the beautiful landscapes of Catalonia
Embark on a mesmerizing walking adventure from the Pyrenees of Spain to the beautiful Mediterranean coast. The 7-day self-guided Catalonia Walking Tour will invite you to experience various stunning landscapes in Spain’s northwestern region of Catalonia.
Setting out from the town of Olot, nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees, you’ll explore the fascinating La Garrotxa Natural Park. Discover its 40 volcanos and endless natural wonders. Enjoy scenic, peaceful walks in the pastoral lands of the Catalonian countryside, where the ground has been tilled for centuries and is rich with history and tradition. A visit to the fascinating Greek and Roman city of Empuries will delight you as you are swept back in time by archeological sites.
Enjoy overnight stays in charming 2 and 3-star accommodations in Olot, Besalú and L’Escala, visiting captivating medieval villages and quaint coastal towns along the way.
Highlights of the Catalonia Walking Tour
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Catalonia Walking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Olot
Your walking journey in Catalonia begins with your arrival at the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, where you’ll find your charming rural accommodations.
After settling in, perhaps enjoy the private swimming pool and gardens here before having dinner at one of the best restaurants in La Garrotxa, just minutes away from your hotel!
Overnight Location: Hotel in La Garrotxa
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Discover the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park
Having spent the night within the Natural Park boundaries, it's now time to explore its sensational grounds, home to forty volcanos!
Setting out from your accommodations, you'll make your way to the visitor's center in Fageda d'en Jorda, where you'll receive comprehensive information on all aspects of the volcanic park.
Then, setting out from the visitor's center, you'll embark on a circular walk first through protected beech woods, then past several remarkable long-extinct volcanoes like the crater of El Croscat.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Garrotxa
Distance: 5.5 hours, 16.5km, 475m of ascent, 475m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Visit the Medieval Villages of Santa Pau and Besalú
This morning, your starting point is the beautiful village of Santa Pau. The village is home to numerous noteworthy historical sites, including the 15th-century Gothic church of Santa Maria, encased in an impressive medieval enclosure.
Setting out from Santa Pau, you’ll take a footpath through the Ser river valley before walking several gentle hills to your final descent into Besalú. The remarkably well-preserved town of Besalú will welcome you with its famous 12th-century Romanesque bridge that straddles the Fluvià River.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Besalú
Distance: 7 hours, 19.5km, 560m of ascent, 900m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Walk Beautiful Countryside and Explore Besalú
Enjoy a shorter, but equally spectacular walk today through colourful farmland and along the banks of the picturesque Fluvià. Enjoy a refreshing dip in one of the river’s many swimming spots and enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the area that serves regional specialties.
This afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Besalú in-depth. Declared a historical National Monument, Besalú features a church consecrated in the year 1003, a restored mikveh (Jewish bathhouse), and fascinating relics of a medieval synagogue in the town's lower quarter. Enjoy this opportunity to be swept back in time and enchanted by the past.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Besalú
Distance: 4 hours, 11.5km, 175m of ascent, 170m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Walk “The Historical Way” Linking Empuries to Finisterre
Setting out from Camallera, you’ll embark on a scenic section of “The Historical Way”, an ancient trail linking Ampuries to Finisterre.
Enjoy a pleasant walk through quintessential Catalonian countryside, passing rustic farmhouses, numerous small plots and active dairy farms.
Making your way to the coast, you’ll soon reach the archeological site of Empuries, two ancient cities, one Greek and one Roman, full of historical surprises! The towns, set on the sea, are the perfect place to spend an afternoon exploring on foot. You can also enjoy a visit to the museum here, providing further insight into the historical importance of this area.
Overnight Location: Hostel in L’Escala
Distance: 5.5 hours, 20km, 275m of ascent, 365m of desccent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Walk the Cliffs and Coves of L’Estartit
An optional walk beginning in L’Estartit is available today by taking a short taxi transfer to the coastal town.
L’Estartit is home to dramatic seaside landscapes of towering, rugged cliffs and beautiful coves. Enjoy a pleasant route leading back to L’Escala, with a stop for a delicious local lunch at Montgó beach. Here you can also enjoy a swim in the crystalline Mediterranean waters.
Continue the route past the port to return to beautiful L’Escala, where you’ll enjoy an evening at your leisure!
Overnight Location: Hostel in L’Escala
Distance: 6 hours, 15.5km, 620m of ascent, 680m of descent
Meals: None
Day 7 Depart L’Escala
With a week’s worth of wonderful walking memories to take with you, you’ll depart L’Escala this morning and return to the airport.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None
The departure is available on any day of the week. Prices below are per person:
Prices below are per person.
Departure between March 15th and 22nd, 2024:
- Solo traveller: $1,525 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $1,050 USD
- Sharing a double room: $825 USD
- Sharing a twin room: $850 USD
- Sharing a triple room: $775 USD
Departure between March 23rd and 31st, 2024:
- Solo traveller: $1,325 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $1,095 USD
- Sharing a double room: $875 USD
- Sharing a twin room: $895 USD
- Sharing a triple room: $795 USD
Departure between April 1st and May 28th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: $1,525 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $1,050 USD
- Sharing a double room: $825 USD
- Sharing a twin room: $850 USD
- Sharing a triple room: $775 USD
Departure between May 29th and June 16th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: $1,325 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $1,075 USD
- Sharing a double room: $850 USD
- Sharing a twin room: $875 USD
- Sharing a triple room: $795 USD
Departure between June 17th and September 9th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: $1,495 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $1,250 USD
- Sharing a double room: $925 USD
- Sharing a twin room: $950 USD
- Sharing a triple room: $850 USD
Departure between September 10th and October 10th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: $1,325 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $1,075 USD
- Sharing a double room: $850 USD
- Sharing a twin room: $875 USD
- Sharing a triple room: $795 USD
Accommodation on the Catalonia Walking Tour
This tour is based in 2-star and 3-star hotels that offer private rooms with ensuite bathrooms and basic amenities. Hotels are generally located in historic buildings with charming décor that reflects the local culture and atmosphere.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
If you are a solo traveller or prefer a single room, the required supplements are included in the listed price.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel Can Blanc in Can Blanc ★★★
Built in the late 19th century, this beautiful traditional Catalonian farmhouse has been restored into a splendid hotel offering comfort and excellent service in a beautifully scenic setting.
Casa Marcial in Besalu ★★★
This beautiful historical hotel consists of two buildings. The first is of neoclassical style and the second is built into the remains of an old medieval noble house.
Hotel L’Escala Centre in L’Escala ★★
Enjoy a bright, clean room at L’Escala Centre, with a nearby beach to warm up during the day and air conditioning to cool off at night.
What’s Included in the Catalonia Walking Tour?
Meals
4 breakfasts and 1 dinner are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Private transfers on Days 2,3,4,5 and 6 are included on this tour as well as luggage transfers on Days 3 and 5. Airport transfers and optional taxi transfers are not included.
Also Included
- Digital route notes and maps
- GPS App
- 24-hour phone assistance
Not included
- Flights to and from Spain
- Visas if required
- Travel Insurance
- Tourist taxes if applicable
- Meals or drinks and snacks not previously mentioned
- Fees not mentioned as 'included'
- Guide
Optional Extras
- Activities and excursions unless otherwise mentioned as included
- Single room supplements
- Solo traveller supplements
- Airport transfers
- Any additional nights before or after the tour
- Printed tour materials (in addition to digital)
Frequently Asked Questions about Catalonia Walking Tour
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