Hiking & walking holidays to the Pyrenees in Spain

ITINERARY | HIGHLIGHTS | WEATHER | ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFO

PYRENEES

Mountains to Sea - 2008

A walk across the Vallespir valley and down to the Mediterranean Sea, taking you from the Costabonne mountains (2464 m) to the clear shore in Banyuls sur Mer, taking in the Pyrenees on both sides of the Franco-Spanish frontier

PRICE

£385 sterling per person based on twin share. Single room supplement £60. Supplement for single person walking alone £45. Private transfer from Perpignan to Setcases - £75 per person (minimum two people). For three or more persons, please enquire.

INCLUDED

Accommodation : 6 nights in small hotels, half board from day 1 in the afternoon to day 7 after breakfeast, transport of luggage every day from accommodation to accommodation, 2 transfers during the walk, route instructions and maps.

NOT INCLUDED

Flights, transfer to Setcases, transfers not mentioned in itinerary, drinks with meals.

Departure dates 2008: April to October

To book email: walking@star.co.uk
T: (44) (0)1242 254353

BACK TO TOP

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Setcases (Spain), small mountain village at the bottom of the « Ter » valley. Overnight in hotel level **

Day 2: Walk from Setcases to Mollo. Medium length walk following the La Senda path (the path that crosses the Pyrenees on the Spanish side). You arrive in the Spanish town Mollo with its Romanesque church, across meadows and pastures. Night in hotel level **
4 to 5 hour walk, 14 kms/8.75 miles, level + : 550 m, level - : 650 m

Day 3: Walk from Mollo to Prats de Mollo. You leave South Catalonia by the old smugglers path. Fine views over the Vallespir valley before arriving in the medieval city of Prats de Mollo in France. Overnight in hotel*
5 to 6 hour walk, 15 kms/9.4 miles, level + : 440 m, level - : 885m

Day 4: Transfer to St Laurent de Cerdans. Walk down to Amelie les Bains. A short climb to the Pilon de Belmatx from where you'll have a view over the Costa Brava, the Canigou mountain and the « Côte Vermeille ». Arrival in Amélie les Bains. Hotel ***.
5 to 6 hour walk, 12 kms/7.5 miles, level + : 362 m, level - : 1018 m

Day 5: Easy walk to Céret, the 'cherry town'. Pass through the small village of Reynes at the bottom of a valley and after the Col de Boussells, you will reach the environs of Céret, surrounded by cherry trees. Follow the town's narrow streets that inspired artists like Picasso, Chagal, and Matisse. Overnight in hotel**.
4.5 to 5 hours walk, 11 kms/7 miles, level + : 380 m, level - : 320 m

Day 6: Transfer to Pic Néoulous for the descent to Banyuls sur Mer. The «Transpyrénéenne» comes to an end. Walk along the Albères, from the Pic Sailfort to the Cap Béar, and pass through vineyards to reach Elmes. Overnight in Hotel**.
7.5 to 8 hours of walking, 20 kms/12.5 miles, level + : 642 m, level - : 1589 m. During this day it is possible to do a shorter walk (4 to 5 hours walking) with a transfer to the Col de la Serre.

Day 7: Depart after breakfast

DIFFICULTY OF WALK

The first two days are on high mountain land at different levels but on average at 1500 - 1600m across mountain pastures. Woods at the bottom of valleys
Day 3 is on middlle level mountain lands, maquis, garrigue, some rocky paths on the Pilon de Belmatx, then woods to Amélie les Bains.
Day 4 : transition walk, easy. Middle level mountain then low level. Tracks and a few small roads.
Day 5 : Back to the mountains at 1300 - 1100 m high. Grass and maquis. Down to Banyuls, rocky paths on the Pic Sailfort part.

GROUP SIZE

From two persons

BACK TO TOP

HIGHLIGHTS

The natural park of the Canigou; the Romanesque patrimony in Mollo; The Vauban fortification at Prats de Mollo; Céret, the « Cubism » town and its Modern Arts Museum; the « Albères » summits; and the walk down to the sea across the vineyards.

WEATHER

Hot and dry summers
Temperate springs, mild autumns

Click here to view the weather forecast
Link courtesy of uk met office

BACK TO TOP

ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ACCOMMODATION

4 nights in hotel **
1 night hotel ***
1 night in hotel *

MEALS
Half board (dinner and breakfast).

LANDSCAPE
Chestnuts-woods and beech-groves, Vallespir maquis, cork-oak woods around Céret, vineyards on the Albères …

GETTING THERE

By road : A9, exit Le Boulou or exit Figueras (Spain)
By train : Train station SNCF Perpignan, bus part of the way then taxi.
By Aeroplane : Airport Perpignan/ Rivesaltes (AOM, Ryanair) or Barcelona or Girona

TRANSFERS
Arrival : transfer from Perpignan railway station or Perpignan airport to Setcases (first village) - see prices above.
From Spain take public transport to Camprodon and from there a taxi (cost Euro 20 approx.).
Departure : transfer not necessary, as the railway station in Banyuls serves Perpignan and Barcelona.

WHAT TO TAKE:

Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, swimming costume, water bottle, insect repellent, sun glasses, sun hat, sun block/cream, compass, torch and a first-aid kit.

You carry only your back pack for the day and your picnic lunch. Your other luggage is carried by an assistant vehicle from accommodation to accommodation

WHEN TO GO

April to October

INSURANCE

We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for whatever reason.

To book, contact worldwalks at:
email:walking@star.co.uk
T: (44) (0)1242 254353