Spain : Catalonia

Catalan Classic Walk - Short Break

Trip code: W04CN 4.7 (7 reviews)

Self-guided walking

4 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 1+
Leisurely plus

12.0Kg CO2e

Headwater
Navigation App

SUMMARY

  • Exceptionally varied walking, pretty coastal paths, lush green valleys, ancient cork and pine forest
  • A fabulous mix of hotels including one night in a 4 star castle, plus swimming opportunities every day
  • Stunningly rugged turquoise coast, secluded coves, hidden bays and outstanding views
  • Excellent for bird-spotting
  • Beautiful sandy beaches, traditional fishing ports and sun-drenched villages off the tourist trail
  • Based on our popular 6 night, Catalan Classic Walk

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

  • 4 nights accommodation
  • All continental breakfasts and 1 evening meals
  • Briefing at the start of your holiday
  • Headwater navigation app
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
  • Walking transfers

TRIP DESCRIPTION

Catalonia (Catalunya) is steeped in culture with its traditions and festivals dating back over thousands of years. Rich in medieval villages, highlights of this region include prosperous Peratallada, peach coloured Pals and fashionable Begur. The rocky coastline is dotted with pretty fishing villages, crystal clear waters and beautiful beaches, which are all perfect to explore.

This holiday provides spectacular, yet relaxed walking and is perfect for people wanting to fit as much as possible into a short holiday. The route takes in the winding, sandy paths of mainland Spain's loveliest coast experiencing frequent glimpses of dazzling aquamarine seas through the umbrella pines, as well as heading inland to discover the truly unspoilt landscape of the Catalan countryside. This is a wonderful region for bird and plant life. Over a third of the countryside is now protected under a government scheme to preserve natural habitats, which means a staggering variety of rare species: golden orioles, booted eagles, purple-shot copper butterflies and colourful wild flowers. Hidden deep in the forests are stunning natural curiosities, including the 5,000-year-old dolmens and sparkling freshwater springs which drew the first settlers to these parts thousands of years ago.

Our hand-picked hotels include the lovely, family run Hotel Garbi in the traditional fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell which is set on the hillside overlooking the sea. The magnificently restored 14th century castle, Castell d'Emporda is perched on a rocky outcrop which affords breathtaking views from its terrace and the Hotel Rosa in Begur is renowned for its food and is only 3km from the sea.

Terrain

The walking is fairly gentle on well maintained paths and tracks.

See more of this trip on our Youtube channel - click here watch.

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DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

 

Day 1: Arrive in Calella de Palafrugell

Arrive at your hotel where all Headwater guests are accommodated in rooms with private balcony and sea view. It's just a 5 minute walk to the centre of town where you have so many restaurants to choose from that we've left evening meals here up to you.

You stay at Hotel Garbi.

hotel details



Hotel Garbi, Calella de Palafrugell

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Shops
Bank
Mastercard
AmEx
Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV


The Hotel Garbi is located on the hillside overlooking the fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell with its own extensive gardens, shaded by pines.

The Hotel is family-run and has a warm welcoming atmosphere where its friendly staff will do their utmost to ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible.

The hotel also has a car park-for anyone who would like to drive to this hotel.

Room upgrades: Duplex Superior Room.
Duplex Superior rooms offer the same facilities as a standard room with the addition of a mezzanine level with sofa

Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Day 2: Calella de Palafrugell to La Bisbal (20km/12.4mi or 23km/14.3mi)

You start with a 20-minute ride to Mont-Ras from where you have a choice of routes. Both routes take you into the Gavarres hills to visit three dolmens with fantastic views as far as Begur and the Illes Medes, before descending to the peaceful mediaeval villages of Fonteta and Vulpellac. Then it's on to the Hotel Castell d'Emporda which has expansive views across the plain from the terrace by the pool.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Castell d.

hotel details



Hotel Castell d'Emporda, La Bisbal

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
AmEx
Pool
WiFi
TV
Minibar
Aircon
Safe


The Castell d'Emporda could not be in a better location, perched on a rocky outcrop with breathtaking views from its sun terrace. The building is a superbly restored 700-year-old castle, that is now owned by Albert and Margo, who are both very friendly and speak excellent English.

Each of the hotel rooms has been individually decorated by furniture collected by the owners while they were on their travels around China, India and Morocco.

All of the rooms have spectacular hill-top views, featuring air conditioning and heating, fully equipped bathroom, flat-screen TV, in-room CD/DVD player, telephone and mini bar.

Room upgrades: Castle Room, Garden Suite or Suite Pere Margarit.
Castle rooms: housed in the original castle building making for a romantic stay. Garden suites: larger than the standard garden rooms (53 sq. metres) and have a separate sitting area. Both the bedroom and the bathroom have balconies! Suite Pere Margarit: (80 sq. metres) was originally the master bedchamber of the medieval castle.

Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Day 3: La Bisbal to Begur (19km/11.8mi or 22km/13.7mi)

Gentle walking across the Emporda plain, stopping first at Peratallada, possibly the best preserved medieval village in Spain with its beautifully restored arches, arcaded passageways and lovely shaded squares. Continue through fields bright with sunflowers until you reach peach-coloured Pals, a lovely old village with Romanesque church affording stunning views. The final stretch takes you through pine forest to our family-run hotel in the old town of Begur. The food here is fantastic!

elevation

You stay at Hotel Rosa.

hotel details



Hotel Rosa, Begur

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Shops
Bank
Mastercard
AmEx
Hairdryer
TV
Aircon


The Hotel Rosa is a pleasant family run 3 star hotel located in the heart of Begur, a hilltop town. It has been run by the same family for more than 30 years.

The 21 rooms have a modern and stylish design, all with air-conditioning, satellite TV and telephone. In the bathroom you will find a hydro massage bath tub - perfect for relaxing those aching muscles after a day's walking.

Room upgrades: Junior Suite.
Junior Suites are bigger with a lounge area

Day 4: Begur to Calella de Palafrugell (14km/8.7mi or 16km/9.9mi)

Shaded forest paths take you to the lively seaside town of Tamariu, with a fantastic beach, where you pick up the pretty coastal path, passing rocky headlands and chic Spanish resorts en route to Llafranc, with spectacular views from the San Sebastian lighthouse. Enjoy lunch in one of the beachfront bars here, where you can almost dip your toes in the water as you eat! Then it's back to Calella, perhaps continuing along the coastal path as far as the botanical gardens at Cap Roig, in time for a swim in the pool or a couple of hours on the beach before dinner.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Garbi.

hotel details



Hotel Garbi, Calella de Palafrugell

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Shops
Bank
Mastercard
AmEx
Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV


The Hotel Garbi is located on the hillside overlooking the fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell with its own extensive gardens, shaded by pines.

The Hotel is family-run and has a warm welcoming atmosphere where its friendly staff will do their utmost to ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible.

The hotel also has a car park-for anyone who would like to drive to this hotel.

Room upgrades: Duplex Superior Room.
Duplex Superior rooms offer the same facilities as a standard room with the addition of a mezzanine level with sofa

Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Day 5: Leave Calella de Palafrugell

Today you will leave Calella, why not extend your holiday and book an extra night?

Extending your holiday

If you'd like to extend your trip with extra hotel nights we recommend: Hotel Ciutat de Girona, Girona.

hotel details



Hotel Ciutat de Girona, Girona

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Shops
Market
Bank
Cash machine
Mastercard
AmEx
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Minibar
Aircon
Safe
Tea/coffee


The Hotel Ciutat de Girona is located in the historic centre and the beating heart of Girona and is just a 10 minute walk from the train station. The majestic Girona cathedral with the widest nave in the world is only 2 minutes walk from the hotel. The hotel has been decorated with iconic images of Girona's past, the historic pictures sit well with the modern decor of the hotel. The restaurant of the hotel if you decide to eat there prides itself on serving food using local products all of which come from a 62.1 mile radius.

Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

CHOOSE A DEPARTURE DATE

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NZ$1740
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These tour only prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from NZ$469.

TRAVEL DETAILS

Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.

REVIEWS

overall very well organised. The app is an excellent tool and very user friendly.

James Rember, 14 Jun 2024

 

Highly recommended

Mr Hodgson, 7 May 2022

 

The whole trip was amazing, reps Jill and Colin were very attentive and knowledgable. Hotels were well picked and varied so we experienced castles to little boutique hotels. Really enjoyed the trip.

Mrs Heald, 25 Apr 2019

 

Beautiful places and great hotels. The walking is quite challenging but with clear directions.

Mrs Simpson, 2 Oct 2017

 

We really enjoyed walking in the Catalonian countryside in the spring time. The towns and villages were delightful. The food and wine was great. The people in the hotels were super. It was all good.

Mr Flockhart, 29 May 2017

 

We did the Classic Catalan walk as a short break at the end of the season, in October. The mixture of 15/17 kilometer walks, historic towns, seaside and forests, with comfortable hotels at nights, and luggage transported from place to place, was just right. Just what we needed.

Mr Ward, 19 Oct 2016

 

The holiday was everything we had hoped it would be. The notes provided on how to get to our destination, general useful information and the self guided daily walks themselves were very well put together and most helpful. The variety in the scenery of the walking itinerary each day enhanced our enjoyment of the trip as did the hotels which were individual, characterful and were perfect after a long day walking. Our Rep was knowledgeable and helpful and was available at the end of a mobile when additional assistance was needed in following the walking notes. The experience completely lived up to its claims and our expectations.

Mrs Feely, 20 Jul 2013

 


Self-guided walking

4 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 1+
Leisurely plus

12.0Kg CO2e

Headwater
Navigation App

4 nights from NZ$1740

CHOOSE A DEPARTURE

Call: +44 1606 720199

 

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