This is a wonderful short trail where you can gallop along a golden sandy beach and enjoy the typical landscape of Emporda. With plenty of active trots and canters, you will through a changing landscape of meadows, agricultural land and sand dunes in the Montgrí and Medes Natural Park, until you reach the beautiful L'Estartit Bay. Finally, you return to Can Muni through crop fields and old stone villages.

You can combine this trail with a stay at the farmhouse or maybe a few days in Barcelona so you can enjoy a week in this beautiful area of Catalonia

*Please note that the ride runs Wednesday-Sunday.

Day 1: Welcome to Can Muni (Wednesday)

You will arrive at Can Muni. Located on the Pyrenees’ feet, facing the natural and wild reserve of the Illes Medes, the farmhouse is a comfortable base for you to begin your trail ride. Before dinner, your first taste of delicious Catalan cuisine,  you will go over the week's programme and meet your guide. You will be told about the horse you are going to ride this week.

Day 2: From the land to the sea (Thursday)

Today is a wonderful first day in the saddle, as you head out toward the Costa Brava coastline and your first sightings of the sea! You will leave the farmhouse and head towards L'Estartit Bay and be passing through small local villages such as Albons and Torroella de Montgrí along the way. Your path this morning will follow the course of the third most important river in Catalonia, the river Ter. At around midday, you will stop for a picnic lunch on the edge of the dunes which mark the beginning of the Medes Islands Natural Park.

Setting off again for the shorter afternoon ride, you will spot Montgrí Castle, sitting atop a dome-shaped hill above the natural park. The landscape will change slowly from farmland to dunes as you venture further into the park. You will reach L'Estartit by mid-afternoon and have some free time after riding to fuss the horses, take a look around the shops or stroll on the beach. A fantastic typical dinner will be enjoyed with fellow riders and guides this evening.

Day 3: The beach (Friday)

Following breakfast today you will prepare your horses and head out onto the beach for a long gallop on the sand. A real highlight for most visitors to this ride, it is an incredible experience which everyone is sure to enjoy - also offers a great chance to get some fantastic shots to remember your holiday by. There will be some time to play in the shallow waves and take pictures before you will cross the river Ter and head inland toward the pretty medieval village of Peratallada for lunch.

Along the way, you will pass through agricultural land in an area which is well known for rice and grain production. There will be plenty of opportunities for long trots and canters on the way. Finally, you will ride through the village, with its pretty stone houses and narrow cobbled streets and settle down to your picnic lunch.

At the hotel, a beautiful rural guesthouse, you will be able to relax for the rest of the afternoon, fuss over your horses, rest by the pool or take a look around the farm to see the gorgeous fresh produce grown here and meet the animals as well. The evening will see you eating yet another delicious traditional Catalan meal, prepared using much of this homegrown produce.

Day 4: Return to the farmhouse (Saturday)

You will begin the return trail back to Can Muni. The trail will lead you past vast fruit orchards, fed by water from the Ter river which you will be riding along, as well as through grassy meadows and rice fields, often accompanied by migratory birds and waterfowl from the Medes Islands Natural Park. Today's riding will be quite active with a long, fast gallop along the dry riverbed.

You will stop in Jafre to enjoy a final lunch with the group and you will arrive back at the farmhouse in the late afternoon. Again, there will be some free time to enjoy the pool, spend some time with the horses and unwind after your trail.

Day 5: Departure (Sunday)

After breakfast, it will be time to leave Can Muni to continue your travels or head home. Maybe you could spend a few days in Barcelona to complete a wonderful week in this lovely area of Spain.

This is a circular trail which takes you up the Catalan Pyrenees and down to the Mediterranean sea, where you can enjoy an incredible gallop on the Roses beach. With their magnificent horses, you can ride through the fantastic scenery of the Alt Empordà, their Mediterranean forests, stunning coastline and long sandy beaches. You will discover the little medieval villages, like Báscara  or Crespià.  Pass by wheat fields, poppies and sunflowers. Discover pine forests and cork trees, filled with aromatic herbs to arrive at the end of the Pyrenees, where the mountains meet the sea. You leave the foothills of the Pyrenees and ride through the Alvera wine growing region, olive groves and vineyards, intense natural beauty. You will leave the mountains behind you because the rolling plains of the Empordà region wait for you and at the end, in the long curve of the Bay of Roses, miles of beach to gallop on! You will continue along the coastline, enjoying the sea, the cliffs and the breeze, to return to there farmhouse through fields and orchards.

 Day 1: Arrival

Arrival in Barcelona or Gerona with optional transfer to the farmhouse, a typical Catalan  farm building.  It´s located in a small 15th century village with its stone houses, which currently accommodate a little rural hotel. The environment, the pool, the meadow and also the forest creating a lovely ambience. You will start your holiday with a delicious dinner, where you will meet our group and your guides.

 Day 2: Trail to Vilanant

You will start your journey from here and ride through the countryside where you will pass many small traditional villages as well as pine woods and oak forests. The first day gives you the opportunity to adapt your tack for the horses and to get to know your guide as well. During the trail you will trot and canter, in order to arrive in Bascara where you can experience a gallop or two on the racecourse.  After this you will enjoy some lunch  at the "Tower of the Angel" and continue your journey to arrive in Vilanant. Here, you will spend the night in a historical property on the Rocaberti land belonging to the Count.

Day 3: To the mountains

This is where you start your mountain adventure, because today you will commence the climb up the Pyrenees. But first you will have a long day where you can enjoy some long gallops. The route flows across a region with lots of ancient wine-growing areas, olive groves and quaint rustic buildings. You will continue your journey by following the old trail of the Muga river, discovering forests along the banks and flood plains. Near to the river you will stop to eat something and if the weather is nice, you may like to take a refreshing bathe in the river and enjoy the possibility to relax for a while. In the afternoon you will proceed to the mountains, crossing regions filled with beautiful small villages, in order to arrive at Cantallops. One of the best hotels in the Mediterranean Pyrenees is going to welcome you tonight.

Day 4:  Crossing the Pyrenees

Today your route follows across the Mediterranean Pyrenees to where the mountains meet the sea. There is a spectacular landscape which shows you step by step the beauty of Empoda. This day consists of difficult trails which will need to be crossed with caution at a slower pace. You will cross the mountains of the Pyrenees until you can see the sea ahead of you. In the meantime the cork oaks will seem never ending. You will pass the castle of Recasens; an impressive fortress which originally dates back to the 11th Century.  At the peak of the mountain you will have a small picnic after which you will descend to the most fabulous part of the Pyrenees. Here you will have one of the most beautiful views above the coast of Cap de Creus. You will spend the night in a small hotel with traditional architecture, where you will have a satisfying dinner.

 Day 5:  Alt Empordà

Today you leave the mountains and move to the beautiful plain of Emporda, as you head toward the coast. You will be able to gallop across vineyards and olive groves and pass through small towns such as Garriguella, Perelada and Vilanova de la Muga. You will have a lunch break in Castello de Empuries, a small city which used to be the old capital of Emporda.  The city has a rich medieval past, which you are welcomed to discover. In the afternoon you will ride in a fast gallop to Mas de Mar, an ancient house at the beach of Sant Pere Pescador.

Day 6 : The beach

Today you will arrive at the beach! As your horses gallop along the beach, you will hear the roaring of the waves in your ears. Later you will arrive at La Escala and continue your journey to Macizo of Montgri, a mountainous zone which separates Alt Emporda from Baix Emporda, two areas that remain very well protected.  Here you will discover a rocky reef that sinks into the Mediterranean, creating a spectacular landscape. The vast horizon will spread out in front of you, over the Mediterranean Sea. Thanks to its protected location, some very rare types of plants are able to grow in this landscape. You will enjoy a small gourmet picnic at the top of the rocky reef where you have a wonderful view above the Bay of Roses. In the afternoon, you will descend again in order to get to the town of l’Estartit where you will spend the night.

Day 7: Baix Emporda

Today’s route will lead you back to the farmhouse, where you will pass the wonderful orchards of Ter, following the river valley. A low landscape that will give you the opportunity to enjoy some exciting gallops. This is a tranquil area where nothing much disturbs nature’s silence. While you trot across the narrow streets of small villages, chiselled from stone, the only thing you will hear is the sound of the horse’s hooves. At lunch time you will arrive back at the stables, where a traditional meal is waiting for you. You will meet the other riders again and share all your adventures. With a celebratory farewell dinner your holiday comes to an end.

Day 8:  Good bye / Hasta pronto

After you have enjoyed a wonderful holiday together with your horses the time has come to say goodbye.

Due to local circumstances, the programme may occasionally vary.

Day 1: Arrival and Welcome

You will arrive at Can Muni. Located on the Pyrenees’ feet, facing the natural and wild reserve of the Illes Meds, the farmhouse is a base to discover l'Emporda, its preserved nature and the fabulous riding trails. The combined pleasures of the mountain and the country with the holiday close to beach and Figueres, and not far from Girona and Barcelona makes this destination the ideal place for a horse riding holiday and an original way of discovering l'Emporda . 

Before dinner, you will go over the week's programme and sample some of the full bodied local wines. You will be told about the special characteristics of their Andalucian trail horses. You will be given an introduction to the week's programme with an opportunity for a one-to-one conversation to ensure that the right horse has been assigned to you. Then, you can enjoy a fantastic dinner!

Day 2: Galloping

You will leave Can Muni and head to the small hill called “Puig Segalara” from where you will enjoy amazing views over our first beach, Roses Bay. From this point, you will get a general view of the entire route and you will start enjoying the landscape. You will approach Aiguamolls de lÂ’Emporda  Natural Park. This first day will allow you to get used to your saddle and your lovely horse.

Between cereal fields, you will have your lunch under the pine trees of Viladamat, before starting with the gallops of the afternoon. You will arrive at the fantastic village of San Marti da’Empuries. This is a gorgeous little village, perfect to wander around and to discover its history. Our hotel is very close to the beach so you can also enjoy a swim at dusk.

Day 3: The First Beach

Today you will start a little earlier to enjoy a peaceful gallop along the beach.  Six kilometers of beach is ahead to enjoy a gallop and a swim with your horse. You will then take a break at the village of Sant Per Pescador and you will be able to clean up your  horse and have a well deserved coffee. You still have three hours riding left. This is a quite long active morning that enables you to see rice fields and apple tree orchards.  You will arrive at Castello d"Empuries to finally rest. You can enjoy a free afternoon so you might like to stroll around the the town, visit the basilica, the square, the wall. If you are interested it is possible to arrange a visit to the Dali Theatre Museum in Figieres.

Day 4: Through Orchards

Today, you will start on the ride back to Can Muni and you will ride through orchards of pears and apples. You will pass through the villages of Vilamacolum and San Miguel de Fluvia, following the bed of the Fluvia and Muga Rivers. You will arrive at Can Muni where a delicious dinner awaits.

Day 5: Towards L'Estartit Bay

Today you will ride away from Can Muni once again but in the direction of L'Estartit Bay this time. You will ride pass villages such as Albons and Torroella de Montgi and follow the bed of their third most important river, the Ter.  You will see the Mongri Castle and notice how the landscape changes to dunes in the Montgri and Medes islands Natural Park, You will arrive at L'Estartit where you can go shopping, stroll, go to the beach etc and, of course, enjoy another fantastic dinner.

Day 6: The Second Beach

After breakfast you will head back to the beach. The horses will love galloping on the sand, playing with the waves. You will cross the River Ter to get in the Baix Emporda, arriving at Pals for lunch. There will be wonderful views of the rice fields along the way. You will cross the medieval village of Peratallada with its stone houses and streets. At the hotel, a beautiful rural guesthouse you will enjoy a homemade Catalan dinner.

Day 7: Baix Emporda

The trail leads us back to Can Muni passing through fruit orchards near the Ter River as  you follow the riverbed back home. You will ride through meadows and rice fields accompanied by ducks and migratory birds coming from the Medes Islands. You will enjoy quite an active day and one last gallop along the riverbed. Back at Can Muni, it is time to enjoy a farewell dinner and to get ready for the next day departure

Day 8: Adios Amigos

You will depart after breakfast.

A lovely based programme which caters for all your families wants and needs! Choose to explore the beautiful scenery of the Catalonian mountains from the back of a well mannered and sure-footed horse.

Each day you will ride out from the farm, enjoying a delicious picnic in a specially selected destination. All the horse riding trails will be lead by an enthusiastic and helpful guide.

Each evening, tired riders will return to the farmhouse to enjoy a delicious evening meal. Or you may wish to enjoy some down time, maybe relaxing by the swimming pool, or taking a visit to some of the nearby beaches. This is the perfect time to create some wonderful holiday memories with your family or friends; memories you will never want to forget.

Day 1. Welcome to Can Muni (Sunday)

You will arrive at the rural village of Can Muni (Pins) in the afternoon. It is located in the heart of the Baix Empordà  and here you will find the welcoming traditional stone built farmhouse. Here you will meet the family and your guides. At dinner, you will talk through the week’s programme, you will be told about the special characteristics of their horses. After dinner, you will have an opportunity for a one to one conversation to make sure you will be riding the perfect horse to suit you.

Day 2. Medieval villages (Monday)

Today's destination is the Baix Empordà region, passing through Gauses, a small medieval village with its church built in the XV century.  Then, you continue to Llampies galloping through the beech forests, to arrive at San Jordi crossing a vineyard.  It takes about three hours to reach Sant Jordi Desvalls on horseback, where you will stop for a delicious picnic. On the way back to Can Muni you pass the villages of Vilopriu and Colomers and see houses with Gothic and Renaissance windows and arched doorways with carved shields. Upon your arrival, you will enjoy some relaxing time in the gardens of Can Muni, or in the company of the horses as they wander in the farm’s fields.

Day 3.  The Mediterranean Sea (Tuesday)

Today you will get ready to go to Sant Martí d’Empuries, a village by the coast where you will enjoy fantastic views over the Mediterranean. In order to get there by noon, you begin your journey on gently descending roads surrounded by woods and crop fields, through small medieval villages such as Les Olives. Here you will see the open plain of the Alt Empordà with the large Bay of Roses enclosed by the Pyrenees to the north and Montgrí to the south. You arrive at Sant Marti de Empuries,a small medieval village overlooking the Greco-Roman ruins of Empuries. You will take a meal on a terrace in the middle of the village with views of the Mediterranean Sea. In the afternoon you return to Pins, alternating trotting and galloping and following the path of one of the eldest medieval roads, which follows the GR2 crossing Vilademat and Palauborrell villages.

Day 4. Dali’s landscapes (Wednesday)

Today is a long day in the saddle, with lots of long canters and gallops through Baix Empordà pine forest. You leave Pins to Flaçà through the forests and plains that surround this town, to enter the old Royal Path from Girona to La Bisbal, very well used in past times. You arrive at La Pera, from where you can see the castle of Pubol. Dalí bought this castle for the enjoyment of his wife (Gala). From here, you ride to Foixa, one of the main sites on the ancient medieval map, which preserves a spectacular castle in the middle of the plain Baix Empordà dominating the lands belonging to the Earl of Empuries. Here, you take a break for lunch in the shade of centuries-old olive trees. After lunch, you lead your horses along a winding forest track. 

Day 5. Let’s Gallop! (Thursday)

Today you start your ride towards Saus and Vilaur, two medieval villages that retain the old structure, with their fortified churches and winding streets. You ride through the forests of the area to get to Calabuig. This small town has an imposing appearance due to the site of the ancient castle and the fortified church. You arrive at Báscara, another medieval village, where you are going to have lunch. After lunch, you are going to visit the racecourse, where your riding skills will be tested, galloping as much as you can!!! To return to Can Muni, you ride through paths between rolling hills, wooded landscapes and open fields.

Day 6. Swimming with horses! (Friday)

Today, you leave Pins to reach Fluvià River, which you will follow to arrive at Valveralla Lake. This small lake is formed by a bend in the river that creates a very serene place hidden from prying eyes. It is time to swim with the horses!!! An unforgettable experience! After the swim, you have lunch near the lake. In the afternoon, you return through one of the most charming villages of the region, Sant Mori, which retains an inhabited castle since the twelfth century and that was renovated in the fifteenth century to become a lovely Renaissance castle. You continue riding through the forests to return to the farm from an easterly direction. 

Day 7. Gallop through cornfields (Saturday)

You leave from Can Muni towards Vilopriu and Colomers. You will cross cornfields and fruit tree fields. You will get to Jafre and Verges where you will stop for the picnic. You will have some really nice and fast canters in the afternoon along the pine tree woods. You will get to Les Olives, a nice little typical Catalan village and you will head back home. 

Day  8. Goodbye friends (Sunday)

Breakfast and departure... Hopefully, you will want to come back again soon! (Or why not continue with another ride - perhaps a week trail in the mountains?)

Please note that is is possible to enjoy the Discovery Programme for a minimum of three nights and riders will join the programme of riding at that time.

The Discovery Ride is a lively and exciting ride with a lot of canters and gallops and with a swim with your horse in a lake and a long gallop along the beach. On one of the days,  you will go to ride on the beach. After the riding, you will have free time to spend on the beach or walking until the evening, when you will enjoy a fantastic horse show with dinner! An unforgettable experience!

The Spanish horses will guide you through this region with its amazing variety of landscapes, meadows and pine forests, idyllic beaches and green valleys. You will gallop through plains and meadows, through valleys and winding forest trails and the horses will take you to remote areas where very few venture. You will stay at the lovely rural farmhouse that has a history going back five hundred years and remains unspoilt to this day.

Your guide is Riccardo who is Italian but a fluent English speaker and  a very experienced guide.

Itinerary (which may vary according to local conditions)

Day 1. Transfer

You will arrive at the rural village of Can Muni (Pins) in the afternoon. It is located in the heart of the Baix Empordà, in the middle of nature and hidden from passers-by. The farmhouse with its stone walls is very welcoming. Here you will meet the Can Muni family and your guide. You will go over the week’s programme,  and you will be told about the special characteristics of the horses and you will have the opportunity for a one to one conversation with your guides to ensure that you are partnered with your perfect horse.

Day 2. Dali’s landscape (Monday)

Today you will get ready to go to Púbol and Foixà. Púbol is widely known because the great surrealist artist Dalí promised his muse, Gala, a castle. After several failed attempts, he finally bought this one, which is now part of the Dali’s triangle including also the Dali’s Museum in Figueres and the Museum in Portlligat. You will have a picnic that has been carried by the horses.Today you will enjoy long canters, past olive trees, through fields and crossing over the river through an unusual bridge. There will be many chances to enjoy the traditional architecture as you cross some of the oldest villages in the area.

Day 3. Beach Ride & Horse show (Tuesday)

You will transfer from Can Muní to the stable in Empuriabrava. To enable you to enjoy a beach ride, you will be riding some fine horses from a different stable. There is no need to worry because the guides know which sort of horse you are happy to ride.  So the new team of very well prepared horses, are waiting  to take you on a three hour ride in a different area. 

In the morning, you will enjoy a fantastic ride on the la Rubina beach, in the Roses Bay. After the ride, it is possible to take a shower and change your clothes. You will enjoy lunch and some free time to enjoy the afternoon… you can relax in the sunshine on the beach, take a walk or just enjoy a long “siesta”. In the evening, you will go to dinner while you watch a horse show.

The show includes a dressage display by the best Pure Spanish Stallions, the typical Spanish Garrotxa, a display of Spanish dressage and a performance by a vaulting team. There will also be some flamenco dancing and at the end of the show you are invited to ride some of the horses.

*In case it is not possible, for various reasons, to go to the beach and show on Tuesday, they will organise it on Friday.

Day 4. Let’s gallop (Wednesday)

You leave Pins to Saus and Vilaür, two medieval villages that retain the old structure, with their fortified churches and winding streets. You ride through the local forests to get to Calabuig. This small town has an imposing appearance due to the site of the ancient castle and the fortified church. You arrive at Bàscara, another medieval village, where you will have the chance to get onto the racecourse, and where your rider skills will be tested, galloping as much as you can!!! After the fun race, you will have a picnic  lunch and ride back to Can Muni, riding through paths between rolling hills, wooded landscapes and open fields. You will enjoy leisurely canters on your way back.

Important: it is NOT compulsory to go onto the racecourse. If you are confident enough then it should be fun but please bear in mind the horses are used to the track, and will be excited,  as they really enjoy the fast gallop.  If you are not confident enough or just wants to look around then we strongly recommend not to do so while mounting the horse but get down and walk inside.

Day 5. To the lake! (Thursday)

Today, you leave Pins to ride to Fluvià River, which you will follow to arrive at Valveralla Lake. This small lake is formed by a bend in the river that creates a very quiet place hidden from prying eyes. It is time to swim with your horses!!! An unforgettable experience! After the swim, you have a picnic lunch near the lake. In the afternoon, you return through one of the most charming villages of the region, Sant Mori, which is home to an a twelfth century castle and that was renovated in the fifteenth century to become a lovely Renaissance castle. You will continue riding through the forests to get into the farm by the Eastern side. (It is going to be a longer day than the two previous ).

Important: getting into the lake with the horses is not compulsory and will depend on the level of water in the lake and the ability of the rider. The guide may not allow the horse in the water for safety reasons. It is also important to be aware that the level of the water significantly varies through the year so in summer there might be not enough water to swim. 

Day 6. Medieval villages (Friday)

Today's destination is the Baix Empordà region, passing through Gauses, a small medieval village with its church from the XV century. Then, you continue to Llampies galloping through the beech forests, to arrive at San Jordi Desvalls crossing a vineyard. From Sant Jordi you will return to Can Muni, where a fantastic lunch is waiting for you. Time for a siesta or a dip in the swimming pool, a sunbathe in the garden before a delicious farewell dinner.

Day 7. Goodbye friends (Saturday)