Day 1 - Sunday - Welcome to Els Masos d'en Coll
Riding: No riding.
You will arrive at the rural village of Els Masos d'en Coll in the afternoon. It is located in the heart of the Baix Empordà and here you will find the welcoming traditional stone-built farmhouse. You will meet the family and your guides. At dinner, you can talk through the week’s programme and be told about the special characteristics of the 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.
NB. Please note that the itinerary is just a guide and reflects the riding hours possible during the cooler months of spring/autumn. In summer (June- early Sept) only half-day rides are offered due to the heat and half-board meals are provided (breakfast and lunch only).
Day 2 - Monday - Pirates and Fortified Farmhouses
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
It is time to meet your equine companion and get to know them. Your route today takes you towards the sea with many opportunities for trots and canters.
You start by crossing cultivated fields until reaching the Ter River, which is the longest in Catalonia, starting in the Pyrenees. You ride the last section of the river to its mouth in the Mediterranean Sea. This is a very flat area and allows for some great canters until you reach the fine sandy beach. Just 2km from here are the famous Medes Islands - these seven islands are one of the best marine reserves in the Mediterranean. You will pass through the Emporda Wetlands, a coastal nature reserve of marshes and dunes which is an important refuge for migrating birds, especially in spring and autumn. Continue riding through flat agricultural lands where you stop for lunch.
In the afternoon you pass some of the imposing fortified "masias" farmhouses which were typical of this area and served to defend the inhabitants from pirate attacks in the late Middle Ages. On return to your accommodation, you can relax on the terrace with a drink.
Day 3 - Tuesday - Montgri
Riding: 4 - 5 hours
Today you leave for the town of Torroella de Montgri, a town of medieval origin that maintains a balance between modernity and traditional rural life. Your ride today is calm, giving you a chance to enjoy the great landscapes. Throughout the day you are guarded by Montgri Castle (12th century) which stands atop the mountain at 315m and is the identity symbol for this territory.
Your ride takes you through Montgri Natural Park where the bare limestone that characterises the massif contrasts with the Continental Dune forest. The forest of pines which is 30m deep sits on a large beach sand dune and has helped to slow the progress of this dune towards the nearby houses. You'll ride in the shade of the Mediterranean pine forest.
As you get closer to the sea you take a central path from Montgri at a good canter to reach the cliffs, where you'll be treated to an exceptional view of the sea and the Medes Islands. Stop here for lunch and, if you wish, you can take a walk down to the intimate Cala Pedrosa for a cooling dip in the sea.
Remount and continue along trails through scrub and limestone, passing dry stone buildings that once served shepherds and their flocks. Drop down to the cultivated fields and rivers and pass by more "masias" farmhouses with watchtowers to protect against pirates. Upon reaching your accommodation you can rest before dinner.
Day 4 - Wednesday - Medieval Villages
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
Today's ride will offer an opportunity to discover some of the history of this region, as you will be riding through Fontanilles and Palau-Sator - two small villages of Roman and medieval origin, first established in the 9th century. Between villages, you'll be able to take advantage of the flat landscape once more, trotting and cantering along the paths of fields and olive groves.
Finally, you will arrive at the medieval village of Peratallada, one of the most important and best-preserved historical centres in Catalonia, originally built between the 9th and 13th century. Time will seemingly have halted in this small village, where you will stop for drinks followed by some free time to take pictures and have a look around. You'll spot houses with Gothic and Renaissance influences, as well as intricately carved arched doorways mounted with shields.
Remount and continue to Els Clots de Sant Julie - a peaceful place steeped in history. Here you stop for lunch in this emblematic and mysterious ancient quarry that dates back to the pre-Romanesque period.
On the way back you make a brief stop at the village of Canapost to view the well-preserved necropolis located here. Once safely returned to the farmhouse you will be able to enjoy some time to relax in the gardens at Els Masos d’en Coll or perhaps by the pool with a cool glass of Catalonian wine!
Day 5 - Thursday - Empordanet Landscape
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
Following breakfast this morning you will set out with the horses to discover the so-called "Empordanet". This is the name that locals give to the collection of small medieval towns in the interior of the Costa Brava. You will enjoy ample trots and canters along the flat trails of the area which offers beautiful views, fresh air and tranquillity. Passing through the little villages which show the typical Catalan architecture of the region, you'll finally arrive at the small town of Monells. Here you will have time to eat, rest and take a walk around the quiet cobblestone streets.
In the afternoon, you will remount and ride through Monells, past the walls of the old castle and the spectacular square surrounded by cobbled streets. Continue past Castell d'Emporda, an impressive 13th-century palace that has been converted into a luxury hotel.
Towards the end of the trail, you discover the pearl of the region - the ancient ruins of the fortified Iberian city of Ullastret. These are some of the most important and largest ruins in all of Spain. The Iberian people remain somewhat of a mystery as they did not leave much to document their day to day life. The settlement at Ullastret dates from the 6th century BC and remained until the Romans invaded the area several centuries later during the Second Punic War (between the years 218-201 BC). Return to the farmhouse in the afternoon to enjoy the sunset from the terrace.
Day 6 - Friday - Daro River to Pals
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
Today is a very long day so you start early with an active morning of long canters followed by a calmer afternoon.
Ride along the bank of the Ter River to reach the sea and wetlands again, but continue along agricultural paths to Les Bases d'en Coll, a protected area formed by the mouth of another river - the Daró. Wetlands have been created along with paddy fields of rice. Stop here for lunch before continuing through pine forests. You will ride inland through a patchwork of fields, dotted with small rural settlements where you will have opportunities to enjoy trots and canters along the open paths. Eventually, you will reach the historic village of Pals, where you will dismount your horses and enjoy the opportunity to wander through the village's historic centre. Pals will offer a flavour of the 9th to the 15th century, with cobblestone streets decorated with flowers. From its high vantage point, you will be able to appreciate some incredible views of the territory you have been riding through.
On your way back to the farmhouse it may be possible to sample some cider or apple juice from the orchards you pass through.
(Please note that sometimes this day runs in reverse).
Day 7 - Saturday - River Tel
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
Today you can enjoy some more long canters as you discover the medieval villages alongside the Ter River. The agricultural roads will invite you to trot and canter as you pass the small towns such as Gualta with its medieval bridge. Cross the river at Torroella de Montgri over the bridge and then head west towards Canet de la Tallada where you'll find a Spanish republic anti-aircraft bunker from the Spanish civil war. Continue to the village of Verges which is surrounded by forest and stop for lunch under the shade of some poplars.
In the afternoon you cross the river again and discover more small villages such as Sant Roma de Sidilla and Sant Iscle d'Emporda before returning to the farmhouse to say farewell to your horse.
Day 8 - Sunday - Goodbye friends
Riding: No riding.
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?)
NB. Please note that the itinerary is just a guide and reflects the riding hours possible during the cooler months of spring/autumn. In summer (June- early Sept) only half-day rides are offered due to the heat and half-board meals are provided (breakfast and lunch only).
* Please note that it is possible to enjoy the Discovery Programme for a minimum of three nights and riders will join the programme of riding at that time.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.