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The Catalan Pyrenees

Rugged, unspoiled peaks
 
Explore the dramatic and unspoiled Catalan Pyrenees on this self-guided walking holiday, with luggage transported. Discover classic mountain landscapes boasting a diverse range of flora and fauna, enjoy delicious regional cuisine and stay at warm and welcoming hotels.
The Catalan Pyrenees. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
The Catalan Pyrenees. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday in the Catalan Pyrenees

The Catalan Pyrenees are dramatic and unspoiled, dotted with stone villages clustered around Romanesque churches. This is magnificent walking country, enjoying the warmest climate of all the Pyrenean range, and our route continues to delight with its combination of superb hiking through unspoiled mountains and welcoming hotels. Watch short-toed and booted eagles soar above as you stride along ancient paths, accompanied by the melodic clanking of cowbells, and look out too for griffon vultures, choughs, wild boar, izard (Pyrenean chamois) and fire salamanders.
Our route takes you into an area largely unknown to outsiders that nevertheless boasts great scenic beauty, handsome villages and age-old traditions. You feel a real sense of adventure as you walk between the rolling hills and rugged peaks of the countryside, discovering hidden corners, inspirational viewpoints and authentic Catalan cuisine, which includes trout from the mountain streams, delicious sausages and cured meats, and robust wines from the coastal plains below.
 
Gallery
 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    On the upper slopes, temperatures will be cooler than those shown above. The best time for flowers is June and July.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 8 9 12 13 17 21 25 25 20 16 11 9
    mm 62 59 84 124 141 111 75 75 96 107 97 62
  • Arrival in Ribes de Freser
    Night 1: at Hotel Els Caçadors (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
  • Choice of walks from Ribes de Freser: 3.5km or 7.5km

    Circular walk to west of Nuria: 3.5km, 2hrs
    For your full day in Ribes de Freser, we suggest taking the scenic rack railway (included) for the dramatic journey to the sanctuary of Nuria, one of Catalonia’s holiest sites, high in the mountains, 1,960 metres above sea level. Here you can enjoy one of two short circular walks into the hills from the monastery (or indeed both), before catching the train back down to Ribes. This first route traverses the steep forested western side of the valley, where views can bring about a sharp intake of breath, before it descends via a rocky trail, back to the valley's centrepiece lake.

    Circular walk to east of Nuria: 3.5km, 1.5hrs
    The second option mixes pine forest with ski slopes and grassy pastures on the valley's eastern side where, as well as featuring an arty Stations of the Cross section, there's a better chance of stumbling across isard (Pyrenean chamois), mouflon and possibly even a marmot or two.

    Linear walk from Nuria to Queralbs: 7.5km, 3.5hrs
    For a longer, more dramatic alternative, enjoy our route from Núria down to Queralbs, following the river as it cascades down the valley through pines and rhododendrons with the sound of rushing water regularly complemented every so often by the piercing whistle of the mountain train. Once in Queralbs, take a return train back to Ribes.
    In the valley of Nuria
    Circular walk to west of Nuria: 3.5km
    Circular walk to east of Nuria: 3.5km
    Linear walk from Nuria to Queralbs: 7.5km
  • Choice of walks from Ribes de Freser to Llanars: both 21km

    Ribes de Freser to Llanars: 21km, 7.5hrs; shorter option: 15.5km, 6hrs
    Today you have a spectacular walk along undulating paths and tracks to the panoramic high pastures of the Collada Verda Pass (1,500 metres). From here, you descend gradually through a wild valley and via the astonishing village of La Roca, which seemingly clings to the rock, before reaching Llanars and the Hotel Grèvol. To shorten the day, we offer an optional transfer at the start of the walk.

    Lower-level option: 21km, 7.5hrs; shorter option: 15.5km, 6hrs
    We also provide notes for a lower-level route, which again can be shortened by taking a taxi to the start point.
    On the path from Ribes de Freser to Llanars
    Ribes de Freser to Llanars: 21km
    Lower-level option: 21km
  • Circular walk via Ermita de Sant Antoni: 12.5km, 4.5hrs
    You may decide simply to relax on your day in Llanars, and make the most of the excellent facilities at the hotel. Alternatively, the neighbouring market town of Camprodon is just a two-kilometre stroll away, and boasts a 12th-century bridge, Romanesque monastery, small shops, bustling, ancient centre and interesting Art Nouveau quarter. For a longer walk, we suggest a route via Camprodon that weaves uphill through woodland to the hill-top Ermita de Sant Antoni where you are rewarded with 360-degree views – it's a great spot for a picnic.
    Circular walk via Ermita de Sant Antoni: 12.5km
    Camprodon, with its 12th-century bridge
  • Llanars to Setcases: 11.5km, 4.5hrs
    This thoroughly enjoyable route begins with a walk along the river valley to Vilallonga de Ter, where you climb up through a quirky sculpture park, before heading high above the valley, enjoying sweeping views of snow-capped peaks ahead. You walk through a mix of pastureland and forest, home to izard and wild boar, to reach Setcases ('seven houses') and the Hotel la Coma, where you stay two nights.
    Llanars to Setcases: 11.5km
    Waymarked trails
  • Choice of walks from Setcases: 9km or 11.5km

    Circular walk via Coma de l'Orri: 11.5km, 4.5hrs
    If you choose this first option, we transfer you from your hotel high up the valley into the heart of the mountains for a splendid ascent to the Coma de l'Orri (2,500 metres) and an equally breathtaking descent through flower-strewn mountain meadows where you may spot marmot and isard (Pyrenean chamois).

    Circular walk via Ruta del Carboner: 9km, 3.5hrs
    The second route is a lovely walk along the Ruta del Carboner ('charcoal-makers') which reveals some of the valley's secrets, taking in shady pine forests, several pretty waterfalls and a popular viewpoint which boast fabulous views down the valley. These woods are the haunt of wild boar - you may not see them but evidence of their snuffling for roots is everywhere. From the heights, you descend back to Setcases via shepherds' cabañas and woodland.
    Aound Setcases - Circular walk via Ruta del Carboner
    Circular walk via Coma de l'Orri: 11.5km
    Circular walk via Ruta del Carboner: 9km
  • Setcases to Molló: 12.5km, 5hrs
    This last walk is a fitting climax to the holiday. You start with a steep and challenging ascent away from Setcases, across the northern flank of the Puig de les Agudes, to the extraordinary Lliens Pass (1,800 metres), where you are rewarded in clear weather with an unrivalled panorama: to one side, the dramatic Pyrenean peaks, to the other, the warm, wooded hills of the Garrotxa. You then remain high up as you continue to the similarly panoramic Fembra Morte Pass (a good picnic spot) before descending through grand landscapes to Molló, close to the French border, where you stay at the Hotel Calitxó.
    Setcases to Molló: 12.5km
    Approaching Molló on the walk from Setcases
 

Accommodation

You will find a warm welcome at all of our hand-picked hotels, and can look forward to savouring traditional local dishes featuring delicious sausages and cured meats, as well as trout from the rivers. Two of the hotels have a small spa, very tempting after a day of walking!
 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 7 nights: 15 May 2023 - 15 October 2023 & 15 May 2024 - 15 October 2024

    Start any day# | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    15 - 28 May 2023 £1255 £325
    29 May - 7 Jul 2023 £1325 £370
    8 Jul - 11 Sep 2023 £1405 £435
    12 - 25 Sep 2023 £1325 £370
    26 Sep - 8 Oct 2023 £1255 £325
    15 - 28 May 2024 £1385 £360
    29 May - 7 Jul 2024 £1460 £410
    8 Jul - 11 Sep 2024 £1550 £480
    12 - 25 Sep 2024 £1460 £410
    26 Sep - 8 Oct 2024 £1385 £360
    3rd & 4th person discount -£10 to -£11
    Single traveller supplement £10 to £11

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    # Not available to start 25 June-7 July

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Hotel Calitxó, Molló
    Superior with balcony: 15 May - 15 Oct 2023 £22
    Superior with balcony: 15 May - 15 Oct 2024 £24

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Hotel Caçadors, Ribes de Freser (with dinner) Double room Single room
    15 May - 14 Jul 2023 £104 £104
    15 Jul - 30 Sep 2023 £126 £132
    01 Oct - 15 Oct 2023 £104 £104
    15 May - 14 Jul 2024 £114 £114
    15 Jul - 30 Sep 2024 £140 £147
    01 Oct - 15 Oct 2024 £114 £114
    Hotel Grèvol, Llanars (with dinner) Double room Single room
    15 May - 31 May 2023 £140 £194
    01 Jun - 12 Jul 2023 £168 £238
    13 Jul - 13 Sep 2023 £184 £272
    14 Sep - 27 Sep 2023 £168 £238
    28 Sep - 15 Oct 2023 £140 £194
    15 May - 31 May 2024 £155 £214
    01 Jun - 12 Jul 2024 £185 £262
    13 Jul - 13 Sep 2024 £205 £302
    14 Sep - 27 Sep 2024 £185 £262
    28 Sep - 15 Oct 2024 £155 £214
    Hotel la Coma, Setcases (with dinner) Double room Single room
    15 May - 15 Oct 2023 £122 £156
    15 May - 15 Oct 2024 £135 £172
    Hotel Calitxó, Molló (with dinner) Double room Single room
    15 May - 31 May 2023 £126 £154
    01 Jun - 16 Jul 2023 £136 £168
    17 Jul - 12 Sep 2023 £146 £210
    13 Sep - 26 Sep 2023 £136 £168
    27 Sep - 15 Oct 2023 £126 £154
    15 May - 31 May 2024 £140 £171
    01 Jun - 16 Jul 2024 £150 £185
    17 Jul - 12 Sep 2024 £165 £235
    13 Sep - 26 Sep 2024 £150 £185
    27 Sep - 15 Oct 2024 £140 £171
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Girona or Barcelona
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Barcelona. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Belfast Intl. - Barcelona easyJet,  jet2 
    Belfast Intl. - Girona jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Barcelona Ryanair,  Vueling 
    Birmingham - Girona jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Bournemouth - Girona Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Barcelona easyJet 
    Bristol - Girona jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Nottingham East Midlands - Barcelona Ryanair 
    Nottingham East Midlands - Girona jet2,  Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Barcelona Ryanair,  Vueling 
    Edinburgh - Barcelona (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Barcelona jet2 
    Glasgow - Barcelona (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Glasgow - Girona jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow Prestwick - Barcelona Ryanair 
    Glasgow Prestwick - Girona Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Girona Ryanair 
    Leeds Bradford - Barcelona jet2 
    Leeds Bradford - Barcelona (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Leeds Bradford - Girona jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Barcelona easyJet,  Ryanair,  Vueling 
    Liverpool - Girona Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    London City - Barcelona British Airways 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Barcelona British Airways,  easyJet,  Iberia,  Vueling 
    Gatwick - Girona TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Barcelona British Airways 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Barcelona easyJet,  Ryanair,  Vueling 
    Luton - Girona Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    London Southend - Barcelona easyJet 
    London Southend - Girona Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Barcelona Ryanair 
    Stansted - Girona jet2,  Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Barcelona easyJet,  jet2,  Ryanair,  Vueling 
    Manchester - Girona jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Barcelona easyJet 
    Newcastle - Barcelona (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Newcastle - Girona jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Southampton - Barcelona (via Paris) Air France 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Barcelona. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tends to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Barcelona

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Barcelona Sants to Ribes de Freser (2h20, pay locally), taxi Ribes de Freser station to hotel (0h05) £16-£18 1700
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Ripoll station (0h45), rail Ripoll to Barcelona (2h10, pay locally) £38-£42 1330

    Connecting travel options - flying via Girona

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    bus Girona to Ribes de Freser (2h, pay locally), taxi Ribes de Freser to hotel (0h05) £16-£18 1400
    bus Girona to Vic (0h50, pay locally), rail Vic to Ribes de Freser (1h, pay locally), taxi Ribes de Freser station to hotel (0h05) £16-£18 1515
    direct taxi Girona airport to hotel (1h40) £88-£97 flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Olot (0h45), bus Olot to Girona (1h-1h30, pay locally) £40-£44 1200 (1400 Sun)
    direct taxi hotel to Girona Airport (1h30) £100-£110 flexible
What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 7 dinners
    3 picnics
    7 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • transfer on days 2 & 5
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 5 reviews
  • C&G Nottingham
    05 September 2022

    Excellent walking along valleys and hillsides in wonderful mountain scenery. The hotels were all great with comfortable rooms, excellent (and plentiful) food, and friendly and helpful staff. Our highlights were the day hike from Setcases when we added on the peaks of Fra de Fajol and Bastiments for spectacular views; the walk from Llanars to Setcases; the last day to Mollo; and wildlife spotting (marmots at Nuria, as well as izard and a hundred griffon vultures feasting on a dead cow (!) on the walk back down to Setcases).

  • Mr T Cockerill
    Bristol
    26 July 2022

    Lots of highlights, lovely hotels to arrive at after an active day, and great food with lots of variety. Excellent walks which came with superb instructions making the whole experience relaxing.

  • Mrs P Thompson
    Newton Abbot
    14 June 2022

    We enjoyed the whole walk, and would have enjoyed it even more if it hadn't been unusually hot! Our personal highlight was Ribes, both the very friendly and welcoming Els Caçadors, and the day in the Vall de Nuria - both the cog railway up and then the walk down. The railway museum is great too. This was the only day we saw anyone else, otherwise we had the hills and spectacular views to ourselves. Don't miss the Casa de la Mel in Setcases.

  • Tina Plewes
    13 August 2021

    What a wonderful holiday from start to finish. Everything worked smoothly, the rooms were great, the food was too and the breakfast at Hotel Grèvol was amazing and so was the deep tissue leg massage I booked after the longest walk!

  • Mr T Bonney
    Richmond
    26 July 2021

    This was a lovely holiday with good walking in an unspoilt part of Spain. I would have preferred more uphill walking to balance the downhill, and flies and horse flies can be a persistent nuisance on warm still days, but the scenery is really beautiful and even in August there were few other walkers. I liked the food, particularly at the Hotel Greval which puts the boat out at dinner and breakfast for foodies. A compass is worth bringing, because it can be hard to find cairns or markers ahead in the higher mountain sections when the cloud and rain come down.
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from A to B, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. If/when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation, meaning that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our walking holidays in Europe page.
  • Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • Absolutely! We are experts in tailored rail travel. Making use of sleeper trains or stopovers in cities along the route, we can get you from London to virtually anywhere in mainland Europe. We can even make arrangements to Mallorca, Sicily and Norway with a combination of ferries and rail. Please contact us to discuss your plans.
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Spain, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • (Castilian) Spanish is one of several official languages; Catalan, Basque and Gallego have equal status in Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia, respectively. The currency is the Euro. Spanish time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
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