The Catalan Coast

TRIP DOSSIER
The Catalan Coast
SPAIN
• Walk along the “Wild Coast”
• Explore charming medieval villages
• Experience famous Catalan gastronomy and hospitality
Self-Guided Departures
Walking Grade: B – Moderate
Trip Code: TCAT
For dates and prices visit
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The Catalan Coast
Introduction
There is something quite special about mountains and
the sea in close proximity and here along the “Wild
Coast” of Catalonia that wonderful combination is
enhanced by the pleasing Mediterranean climate!
From the coast to the mountains, from sea to crag, from
sandy beach to shady Mediterranean forest – the
diverse and changing natural landscapes help create a
stimulating and interesting walking holiday, all just a
very short flying time from the UK.
be made available on our website. We will also send
you the most up to date trip dossier with your “Final
Joining Instructions” approx. 2 weeks before departure
and you should carefully check this for any changes
that may affect your plans. Before booking you should
read our “Types of Trip” and “Essential and Useful
information” sections on www.walksworldwide.com
including our ‘Important Warning’.
Your holiday
This walking holiday has been specifically designed to
reveal many aspects of this beautiful part of Catalonia;
you will walk along the Costa Brava with its miles of
coastal cliffs, solitary beaches and coves with crystal
clear water. You will walk inland through the Aiguamolls
Nature Reserve where innumerable seabirds and
songbirds have settled. You will walk up mountain trails
offering spectacular views sweeping far into the
Pyrenees.
Life on trek
You will have the chance to discover Romanesque,
gothic buildings, idyllic villages the region's acclaimed
wines produced by the vineyards you pass on your
route and much more! Not only does the combination of
mountains and sea create such wonderful scenery, it
creates wonderful gastronomy too, “the landscape on a
plate” the Catalans call their justifiably world renowned
cuisine.
Walking conditions
The walking is purposefully moderate, allowing plenty of
times along the way to both relax and perhaps even
take a dip in the Med!
Important Note
Due to the specialist nature of our holidays, day to day
itineraries should be taken as a guide only, and as
statements of intent and not contractual obligations. We
regularly update our trip dossiers to take into account
changes to trekking routes, accommodation, local
transport etc. Such changes are a factor of this type of
holiday and when made are out of necessity. Other
factors such as adverse weather, unforeseen
circumstances and other matters entirely out of our
control etc can also lead to enforced changes during
the course of the holiday. It is not possible to guarantee
that any of our holidays will operate exactly as per the
anticipated itinerary. The most current trip dossier will
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As this is a self-guided holiday you can of course
dictate your own schedule. In general you’ll usually
walk from your overnight accommodation (your main
baggage
will be transferred to
your next
accommodation) for 2-3 hours in the morning and stop
for a picnic lunch. After lunch you will usually carry on
walking for a couple more hours, enjoying the sights
along the way to reach your next overnight halt.
The walking is quite straightforward with good
conditions underfoot. The average daily distances are
very modest (13km per day) primarily over undulating
terrain, following coastal trails, mountain trails and farm
tracks. The walking does involve both ascent and
descent, although these sections are rarely sustained
and should present no difficulty to a regular hillwalker
with a reasonable level of fitness. You will only have to
carry your daypack during the walking day, as your
main luggage will be transported by vehicle.
A full explanation of the trip grading can be found in our
brochure or online at www.walksworldwide.com. You
should ensure you are comfortable walking at this level
of grading and are physically prepared for the trip.
Self-Guided Holiday
As the name suggests, self-guided holidays are for
those that prefer to be independent. Within reason you
are able to dictate your own schedule, as well as walk
at your own pace with the aid of route notes and maps.
All your accommodation has been reserved in advance
and unless otherwise stated within this trip dossier, your
main
luggage
is
transferred
between
each
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The Catalan Coast
selection of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants. There
are
two
small,
accommodation along the way, so there’s no need to
worry about carrying
heavy loads and having to back pack. This means you
only need to walk each day and carry your usual
lightweight daypack. However, it is important that you
are entirely comfortable with being independent whilst
on a walking holiday.
For detailed information as to what a self-guided
holiday entails please read the self-guided walking
holidays section at Types of Trip section on
www.walksworldwide.com before booking your selfguided walking holiday.
Route Notes- Help keep them up to date
Things can and do change along the routes that selfguided walking holidays follow. A sign may have been
changed, or even removed, a path may have been
obstructed, even re-routed, a landmark the route notes
refer to may simply no longer exist. It is clearly
impossible to keep track of all the changes that may
occur outside the local tour operators control and
knowledge. It may be the route notes translation can be
improved (they are translated into several languages by
the local operator after all) too. Clearly a case of “last
person to walk the route” has the most up to date
information. In the spirit of camaraderie amongst
walkers and in an effort to constantly keep route notes
updated and improved upon, the local operator (contact
details in your final joining instructions) will always
welcome notification of any changes along the
way/recommendations for improvement if you would
care to forward any useful and specific information to
them. Alternatively, send to Walks Worldwide and we
will forward accordingly.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Girona Airport or Figueres
Vilafant Train Station; transfer to L'Escala
Arrive at Girona Airport or Figueres Vilafant Train
Station (if travelling from Barcelona) where our
representative will meet you and then transfer to your
Pension in L’Escala. (See How to join and depart this
trip section later in this trip dossier). The old centre of
the town still retains the character of a typical Spanish
working town with its bustling narrow streets and good
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popular beaches in the old town that add to the overall
charm and atmosphere of the area.
Pension
Day 2 Pass Greek and Roman ruins and
walk to Sant Pere Pescador
Leaving charming L’Escala behind you then make your
way onto the beautiful coastal trail. En route you will
pass the walled settlement of Sant Martí d'Empúries,
which is well worth a visit. The real highlight, however,
is the fascinating Greek and Roman ruins at nearby
Empúries (entrance fee payable locally). The ancient
city was used by the Romans as their base for the
invasion and dominance of the Iberian Peninsula. There
are some excellent mosaics and other remains, most
dating from 218BC onwards. From Empúries, you walk
along the southernmost part of the Bay of Roses, past
several beaches where you could pause for a swim.
Your ultimate destination today is Sant Pere Pescador.
Surrounded by natural spaces of wonderful landscape
and natural interest and crossed by the River Fluvià, St.
Pere dates back to the year 974 when it was still a
possession of the monastery of St. Pere de Rodes.
Walking Duration: 4 hours / 11 km
Hotel (breakfast)
Day 3 Through Aiguamolls NP to Castello
To start today’s walk you’ll follow the banks of the River
Fluviá, along the beach at its mouth and then through
the Aiguamolls Natural Park, dotted with hides for bird
spotting opportunities. At any time of the year you are
likely to spot birds such as ibis, herons, snipes,
redshanks, marsh harriers and sandpipers, but if you
are lucky you just may make some exciting sightings
during the spring and autumn migrations: grey herons,
golden plovers, flamingos, black storks and spoonbills.
From Aiguamolls you then walk to Castello D’Empuries.
Castello is a beautiful medieval village steeped in
history. There are many historical buildings to visit;
however the landmark of the village, visible from afar, is
the parish church of Santa Maria which is often called
the “Cathedral of the Empordà” because of its size and
gothic influenced architecture.
Walking Duration: 4 hours / 12 km
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The Catalan Coast
Hotel (breakfast)
Day 4 Transfer to Platja Canyelles and
coastal trail to Cadaques
You will initially be transferred to Platja Canyelles. You
then head east along the coast following a spectacular
coastal trail that is destined to fulfil every walker’s
hopes and dreams. Passing many secluded beaches
and coves with there are ample opportunities for a dip
in the crystal clear sea.
Eventually you cut inland through hillsides packed with
tiers of old olive groves, and finally onto Cadaques.
Cadaques was a favourite of both Picasso and
Salvador Dalí where Salvador Dalí once famously said
in 1920: "I have spent a delightful summer, as always,
in the perfect and dreamy town of Cadaqués. There,
alongside the Latin sea, I have been quenched by light
and colour".
Note: Cadaques is a great place for eating out; there is
a good selection of restaurants ranging from small
Mediterranean family run restaurants, to fresh fish
restaurants, pizza cafes and tapas bars. We would
recommend you try the seafood during your stay in
Cadaques- its always very fresh and delicious when
washed down with a bottle of chilled Catalan white
wine.
Walking Duration: 4 hours / 11 km
Hotel (breakfast)
Day 6 Through the Cap de Creus NP
Leaving Cadaques you make our way north through the
heart of the famous Cap de Creus National Park. You
will be following a deeply rural path with beautiful views
of the Catalan countryside before arriving at El Port de
la Selva. El Port de la Selva is outstanding for its varied
landscapes, its beaches and its mountains. The first
historic references to the settlement go back to 974,
although it did not become a fully-fledged village until
the 18th century, with the construction of its first church.
The village retains the charm of a small fishing village
and a great many monuments and historical buildings
remain, such as the Taballera Dolmen, the Serra de
Rodes medieval site (made up of Sant Pere de Rodes
Monastery, Sant Salvado Castle (13th century), Santa
Elena Shrine and the village of Santa Creu), and Sant
Fruitós Church. The village has some of Catalonia's
best beaches.
Walking Duration: 4-5 hours / 12 km
Walking Duration: 5-6 hours / 16 km
Hotel (breakfast)
Hotel (breakfast)
Day 5 Explore Cadaques, or walk to Cap de
Creus Lighthouse
Here in Cadaques you could spend the day exploring
the numerous small winding alleyways, a visit to the
parish church from the 17th century should not be
missed. Perhaps a walk to Port Lligat and Salvador
Dalí's house (closed Mondays until mid-April and from
mid-September; pay locally) would be in order.
Walking Duration: 1 hour / 3 km
You may want to walk to the Cap de Creus
lighthouse.The most easterly point of the Iberian
Peninsula is spectacular; the rock outcrops are one of
the most significant features of the Parc Natural, with its
complicated and beautiful forms that often cause the
visitor's imagination to get carried away. One sees
images of real or mythical animals in the area (lions,
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dragons, camels, eagles, cats, rats...), despite the fact
that it is the wind and the sea, and not the Gods, which
have gone on shaping the geological landscape of the
Creus cape right up to the present day. You could also
have some lunch at the wonderful restaurant there.
Day 7 Views of the Bay of Roses as you
walk to Palau Saverdera
Leaving El Port de la Selva behind you, travel South
West ascending up to the Sant Pere de Rodes cloister
(Open October 1st to May 31st 10am – 5.30pm, June
1st to September 30th from 10am to 8pm, closed on
Mondays). Its origins date back to the first century after
Christ. Christian doctrine understands Sant Pere de
Rodes as one of the most important monasteries in
Spain. You will then make your way up to the ruins of
Castell de Sant Salvador, from here you will have a
breathtaking view of the Alt Emporda, across to the
Albera Mountains and far into the Pyrenees. You also
have stunning views over the Bay of Roses and the
entire Cap de Creus. You will then make your way
down past the little white chapel of Sant Onofre into the
village of Palau Saverdera and finally the end of your
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The Catalan Coast
journey. Palau Saverdera is a small medieval village
with a beautiful little church in the centre; there are a
few local bars in the village to enjoy a well-deserved
drink
at
the
end of the day.
Land Only
Walking Duration: 5 hours / 12.5 km
Hotel (breakfast)
Day 8 Transfer to Girona Airport or
Figueres Vilafant Train Station (or add
extra nights in Girona)
After breakfast you will be transferred to Girona Airport
or to central Girona if you are adding extra days to your
holiday to explore the delights of Girona (Please see
Extensions & Excursions section at the end of this trip
dossier).
(breakfast)
Practical Information
How to join and depart this trip
The joining point for this trip is Girona Airport arrivals
hall on day 1 of the Trip Itinerary above. You will be met
upon arrival and transferred to your first night’s
accommodation. Alternatively if flying into Barcelona
Airport, you can take a train to Figueres Vilafant Train
Station and you can be collected from here. It is only a
20 minute transfer to your group accommodation.
The departure point for this trip is Girona Airport on day
8 of the trip (or our 4* Hotel in central Girona if you are
extending your holiday to spend time exploring this
historic city). Again if flying from Barcelona Airport you
will be transferred to Figueres Vilafant Train Station.
Flight Inclusive
We recommend that you book this trip as a 'Flight
Inclusive' package. Booking your international flights
through Walks Worldwide guarantees you peace of
mind and provides 100% financial protection under our
CAA ATOL licence. What's more, if you book your flights
with us as well as your ground arrangements, we will
manage these flight arrangements both before and
during your trip. As an ATOL Licence holder, we are
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able to secure and arrange competitively-priced airfares
with most major airlines from the UK (as displayed on
our website), as well as the option of regional departures
too.
If you would prefer to arrange your own international
travel you can book this trip as a 'Land Only' package,
where the price does not include international flights.
Please note that if you are booking your own flights
there are certain risks you should be aware of. Many
airline tickets purchased directly are non-refundable and
often do not provide you with any financial protection
(unlike booking your flights with ourselves where you
would be 100% protected under our CAA ATOL
licence). For this reason we strongly advise that you
check the rules of any flight booking you make, and
check the limitations under any insurance policy you
may have in relation to cancellation or date changes.
We cannot be held liable for any losses incurred or
consequences of any flight bookings or related travel
arrangements you have made yourself, such as if your
international flights were delayed or cancelled and you
could not join or depart your holiday on time. If you do
decide to book Land Only, we strongly advise that you
do not book international flights or make other travel
arrangements (especially if there are financial penalties
for cancellation or change) until your chosen holiday is
guaranteed to run. Please also ensure when making
your own international travel arrangements that they
enable you to join and depart this trip in accordance with
the criteria specified in the How to join and depart this
trip section of this Trip Dossier.
Local transport
Airport, trail and baggage transfers are provided and
will be by private vehicle.
Accommodation
Accommodation will be reserved for you on a twin
share basis unless you have already requested a single
room. On this trip the accommodation will be in small
Pensions, Hotels and Casa Rurals with famous Catalan
hospitality.
We
have
specifically
chosen
accommodation to fit the character of this walking
holiday.
Pension, L’Escala. Located in the old part of L'Escala,
this family run Pension provides rooms with full
bathrooms, telephone and television. Jordi Sabadi
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The Catalan Coast
Vilaproposes runs the family restaurant; he specialises
in empordanesse cuisine, personalised, vivid and
modern, clear with fresh flavours without forgetting
about the traditional roots.
4* Casa Rural, Sant Pere Pescador. Anna and Miguel
offer the warmest of welcomes in their modernised 4
star rural guest house. They offer wonderful cosy
accommodation and have a real passion for cooking
and use local ingredients whenever they can.
Family run hotel, Castello D’Empuries.Casa Clara is
a charming small Hotel located in the medieval village
of Castello D'Empuries and offers lovely views of the
village.
2* Hotel, Cadaques. Close to the beach and the centre
of Cadaques this family run Pension is simple, clean
and friendly. All the rooms are en-suite.
4*
Hotel, El Port de la Selva. Soak up the
atmosphere from this wonderful 4 star Hotel located just
minutes from the beach at El Port de Selva.
4* Hotel, Palau Saverdera. Tucked away in a side
street this small 4 star rural Hotel provides comfortable
and relaxing accommodation at the end of your walking
holiday.
Food
All breakfasts are included in the trip price, which you
will take at your overnight accommodation. Lunches
(not included) can either be taken en route or you can
purchase a picnic lunch from your overnight
accommodation to carry with you. We have intentionally
not included dinners in the trip price in order that you
may sample renowned Catalan cuisine to entirely suit
both your personal tastes and budget.
Climate
It is of course impossible to predict the precise weather
conditions you will encounter during the course of your
holiday. However, we do schedule our holidays to
coincide with what should be the most suitable weather
periods for walking. During the day it is often warm,
sometimes hot and often very sunny circa 15ºC-25ºC+
dependent upon the time you are visiting. However,
given the proximity of the mountains to the sea, brief
storms and heavy rain can happen.
You should always be prepared for inclement weather
conditions.
For
climate
statistics
visit
www.worldweather.org
Roughly speaking temperatures decrease by approx.
1ºC for every 200 metre increase in altitude.
Altitude
The altitudes on this trip are exceptionally modest and
you should not anticipate any problems.
Baggage
Please make sure that your baggage is clearly marked
with your name, inside as well as outside, in case the
labels get detached. We request you limit your luggage
to one kitbag per person and recommend you to pack
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your clothes in plastic bags to ensure they remain dry.
As your main baggage will be transported by vehicle a
normal suitcase can be used for your main baggage.
Please restrict your main baggage to one piece per
person.
Vaccinations & health
We always recommend visiting your doctor and dentist
for a check up before travelling. Your doctor will also
have access to the most up to date information on
vaccinations and medical precautions for the country
you are about to visit. In general, no vaccinations are
necessary for Spain. A useful travel health online
resource is www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
Please make sure that you obtain form EHIC either
online www.dh.gov.uk or from your local post office
– you will need to produce this if you have to see a
doctor.
First Aid
You should always carry your own small, personal first
aid kit. This should consist of the following: A general
anti-biotic, throat lozenges, painkillers, plasters (bandaids), blister treatment, insect repellent (DEET),
rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, diarrhoea treatment
(e.g. Imodium).
Security
Whilst the vast majority of travellers never experience
anything untoward it is worth taking precautions
particularly in urban areas. You should take sensible
precautions in crowded areas such as street markets
and airports, where pick-pocketing is common, and
keep clear of any street disturbances. Don’t wear
jewellery, or leave your bags unattended, keep large
amounts of money, cameras and mobile phones out of
sight when walking in town centres, and avoid walking
in city centres after dark. Keep copies of important
documents, including passports, in a separate place to
the documents themselves, together with details of
credit cards. Leave copies at home with a friend
too. Safeguard valuables, important documents and
cash and deposit them in hotel safes, where
practicable.
Currency
The Spanish currency is the Euro. Please refer to
www.xe.com for up to date rates. ATM machines are
available at Girona Airport and several locations along
the route.
Language
In the region of Catalonia the language is Catalan,
although some people also speak Castillan Spanish
too. English is quite widely spoken, although not by
everyone. We recommend you take along a phrase
book and also try to learn some simple Catalan phrases
and greetings. The local people will of course especially
appreciate any attempt to speak the Catalan language.
Tipping
Tipping is part of normal life in Spain.
Maps
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The Catalan Coast
We recommend Stanfords at 12-14 Long Acre, London
WC2E 9LP (Tel: 0207 836 1321) www.stanfords.co.uk.
its Jewish quarter, the Arab Baths and the magnificent
cathedral, which dominates the whole city.
Travel Insurance
In the evening you can dine at one of many outstanding
restaurants. There is a wide range of cuisines to
sample: Catalan, Mediterranean, oriental, fresh from
the market, vegetarian, Basque and fusion.
Furthermore, the city lies in an area of great culinary
dynamism and enjoys a privileged geographical
position that offers up a wide variety of ingredients and
exceptionally high quality products from the sea and the
countryside.
It is a condition of booking any of our holidays that you
have comprehensive travel insurance. It is your to
responsibility to ensure you are covered for medical
and personal accident risks for the part of the world you
intend to travel and the activities involved. This cover
should include repatriation costs, air ambulance and
helicopter rescue. It is also advisable to take out
cancellation insurance as all deposits paid are nonrefundable.
You may arrange either single-trip or annual multi-trip
travel insurance through Walks Worldwide. Please call
us on 01962 737 565 for a quotation.
Your accommodation is in the historic and cultural heart
of Girona. The hotel is decorated with iconic images
from the city’s past, which blend well with the modern
style and facilities on offer.
Contact us for a quote
Passports & Visas
British passport holders (and other EU passport
holders) don’t require a visa to visit Spain.
You can obtain the latest visa information, as well as
book your visa either by contacting your reservation
consultant, or by following the link below to our
designated visa service:
http://www.walksworldwide.com/information/visa.html
Budgeting for your trip
Please refer to the detailed itinerary for information on
what is included in this trip. You will need to budget for
meals and drinks not included in the holiday, any
optional sightseeing, souvenirs and items of a personal
nature such as laundry.
Clothing & Equipment
Please check our website for the most up to date
information regarding packing for your trip. The
information we provide is our suggested guide to help
you with your packing based upon our many years of
travelling. Using your own judgment for packing is of
course important, especially with regard to casual
clothing etc but please do not hesitate to contact us if
you have any questions about packing for your trip.
Extensions & Excursions
Extra nights in historic Girona
On the morning of day 8 you will be transferred to your
accommodation (4* Hotel) in Girona, a city rich in
culture and history and the perfect place to relax and
enjoy an extra day. Girona is a beautiful city where you
get a real feeling for its history just by walking through
its ancient streets. It’s a walled city, which dates back to
the Roman period; the old quarter is located within the
city walls. There is a well-known stretch of houses, built
in the 19th century, which make up the part of the city
wall destroyed by the French in 1807 while the city was
under siege. The city's main historical attractions
include its Roman ruins, the charming small streets of
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Date of issue: 26 Jan 2015