The Trail of the Bandits is based on the biography of the famous "bandolero" Joan Sala Serrallonga, the Catalonian Robin Hood. In north-east Spain, the bandit Serrallonga wandered around the mountains of Guilleries and Garrotxa in the 17th century. The vast pathless area of woodland offered good hiding places to outlaws. Canyons, table mountains and volcanoes rise up in this wild landscape. Rivers, lakes and waterfalls provide pleasant refreshment. In the picturesque villages there are still stories told about the gangs of thieves and the Catalan rebels. Today we find an incredible riding paradise where outlaws once hid.
Barcelona airport at 17:00 (arrival up to 16:00) and departure flight from 2:30pm.
Girona airport at 18:30 (arrival up to 18:00) and departure flight from 1pm.
Transfer
2010: Included from meeting point at set times
Flight guide
London - Girona from £50 return with Ryanair, or fly to Barcelona. See below for flight info.
No supplement if willing to share. Otherwise: see notes below.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - BANDIT TRAIL
Day 1:
The transfer brings us into the mountains. Deep in the Spanish Pyrenees, at the foot of the mountain range of Cavallera, there is the small mountain village of St. Joan de Abadeses. This is the starting point of our trail of bandits. During our first meal together we get to know our guide and chat about the upcoming horse riding tour.
Day 2:
The horses are saddled and we get on. The trail weaves through a marvellous mountain landscape which appears rugged or soft depending on the season. The air is pleasantly aromatic and there is peacefulness with only the sounds of nature. High above on a mountain range a small roman church enjoys an incomparably beautiful position and invites us for a picnic. In a little mountain village we stay overnight in a cosy guesthouse.
Day 3:
We are riding to the high plateau of Collsacabra, where the merging of the north and south, Mediterranean Sea and high mountains is a very special sight. Lush meadows and dense beech forests cover the land. The temperatures are pleasantly cool, with springs and calm brooks refreshing us on the way. In the heart of the high plateau there is the remote but very cosy riding farm of Joan. Here we can only hear the wind in the trees, the singing of the cicadas and the splashing of the brook. In the evening we enjoy a bandit's menu and a glass of wine at an old wooden table, while Joan tells Catalonian stories of desperados
Day 4:
Brilliantly our "Andalusians" climb over an overwhelming landscape. We see table mountains, abundant rock towers and waterfalls that fall steeply into dark canyons. We hear the calling of birds of prey that sail over massive canyons. Like an eagle's nest the small village of Tavertet is located majestically on the edge of a table mountain. Below us shines the canyon lake in a deep green.
DAY 5:
Passing the lake we ride to the mountains of Guilleries, home of the bandit Serrallonga, the Catalonian Robin Hood.The mysterious beauty of the evergreen and moist landscape is in contrast to the reddish brown and silver-grey rocks of the table mountains. The trail is shady, moist and fresh and the sprawling jungle seems impenetrable. At a clearing we rest and feel like "outlaws" from long ago.
Day 6:
We leave the Guilleries and emerge into the land of volcanoes. The landscape is well cultivated but also has a wilderness about it. The extinct volcanoes lie there resting until the end of time. The last eruption was some thousand years ago and only the black lava and some craters remind us of the explosions. In the mediaeval village Santa Pau we find cosy accommodation.
Day 7:
We trot and canter along the brook "Ser" and leave the area of Garrotxa. The brook leads into the river "Fluvia" which points us towards the Costa Brava. Stone oaks and pines are the dominant trees here. Under their pleasant shade we enjoy our bandit's picnic. After a long and diversified trail we reach our riding farm Mas Alba. During our farewell dinner we discuss the adventures of our horse riding tour.
Day 8:
Transfer to Barcelona or Girona. Or, extension for another trail.
Please note: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
Important: Depending of the time of the year and national holidays the trail can be ridden in both directions!
NOTES - BANDIT TRAIL
Single supplements are not compulsory should you wish to have a single room this can be paid for on site at €25 per night.
During this riding holiday, you will need to dismount and walk next to your horse over short distances so good walking boots are required.
Transfers:
It is also possible to be collected from Barcelona city at 5:30pm. The Meeting Point is the taxi stand at the Statue of Columbus (end of 'The Rambla' at the 'Port Vell').
Another alternative is to get the train to Girona where there is a transfer at 6:45pm. The Meeting Point is infront of the taxi stand outside the exit in the direction of the city.
The weight limit for this ride is 14 st/198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All accommodation in a double room with shower and toilet, 2 nights may be in a dormitory with a shower and WC on the hallway, 4 days riding full board including table wine (picnic lunch), 2 days riding half board (lunch not included), horse riding programme as described, transportation of luggage, free collective transfer from/to airport Girona/Barcelona
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Items of a personal nature, alcoholic and soft drinks, flights to and from Barcelona. Lunch on 2 days. The single supplement is payable on site in 2010.
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What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
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