Spain - Cap de Creus Paradise Trail

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Day 1
Arrival: Arrive in Barcelona or Girona and transfer to the first accommodation, a charming Catalan stone house set in the peaceful countryside. This tranquil setting offers a perfect start to your adventure. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner, meet the guide and learn about the horses that will accompany riders on the journey.

Day 2
Into the Hinterland of the Wild Coast: Begin the ride from the stables, venturing through lush forests and into the remote hinterlands of the Wild Coast. Discover hidden stone villages steeped in history and charm. Pause at a historic oil mill with a magical ambiance for a hearty meal and a tasting of its exquisite olive oils. Afterwards, continue to the evening’s accommodation, completing a day rich with discovery.

Day 3
Along the River Fluvià to the P.R.E. Andalusian Stud Farm: This morning, follow the scenic River Fluvià, crossing it at times riding through picturesque Catalan villages. Stop for lunch under ancient cork trees before continuing the journey through expansive rice fields. The destination for the night is Catalonia’s oldest P.R.E. stud farm (Pura Raza Española), where riders will learn about the heritage and significance of this esteemed breed.

Day 4
Across the Plains of the Empordà: After breakfast, depart the stud farm and traverse the verdant rice fields of the Empordà plain. Pass through Castelló de Empúries, renowned for its magnificent cathedral, before riding across the northern marshes of Aiguamolls, a haven for diverse birdlife. The Mediterranean Pyrenees provide a stunning backdrop as you approach Roses, where a luxurious villa with a pool and spa awaits for a relaxing evening.

Day 5
Ascending Cap de Creus: Start the day with a climb into the rugged Cap de Creus mountains. From a high mountain pass, soak in awe-inspiring views: the Gulf of Roses unfolds to the south, and the Gulf of León stretches to the north. Ride through paths lined with wild herbs and flowers, interspersed with groves of cork oaks, before descending into a serene valley. Enjoy lunch at a popular restaurant in a charming village known for its warm hospitality. Continue through the breath taking nature park landscapes to the vibrant fishing village of Port de la Selva, where riders have free time to explore. Spend the night in an elegant hotel, enjoying the village’s coastal charm.

Day 6
The Magical Wild Coast: Follow ancient trade routes through the rocky terrain of Cap de Creus Natural Park, where the Pyrenees meet the shimmering Mediterranean. The surreal landscape features vibrant skies, crystalline seas, and dramatic rock formations, creating a coastal setting unlike any other. Pause for lunch in a secluded bay, with an opportunity to swim in the clear blue waters. End your day in Cadaqués, a picturesque whitewashed village celebrated as the jewel of the Costa Brava. Stroll its winding streets and savour the best paella in town during a memorable final evening.

Day 7
Farewell: After breakfast, transfer back to Barcelona or Girona, bidding farewell to an unforgettable adventure.

Catering service payable on site on first night €150.00pp

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

The Andalusian horses have a good life, kept in a natural herd. The 30+ horses are selected for their temperament, each is well trained and make sure-footed and reliable companions. The tack consists of good quality trail saddles, designed for comfort over long distances at all paces. Riders are provided with a saddlebag.

Perfect for novice riders familiar with basic aids and comfortable riding at a walk, trot, and light canter on shorter trails, the itinerary features well-paced, enjoyable riding days. It is equally appealing to experienced riders seeking a laid-back yet enriching ride, free from the demands of intense or high-speed trails.

The weight limit for this ride is 209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

The first two nights are spent in one of six rural houses in the heart of Empordà. These are part of a family-run agricultural estate, offering guests peace and tranquillity in a protected environment. Following this, stay in a beautiful 17th-century rural house just 200 meters from a spectacular wild dune beach. The next night’s stay is in a charming rural hotel with an outdoor pool, followed by a stay at a historic 19th-century spa hotel in Puerto de la Selva, located just 30 meters from the main beach and close to the town centre. The final night is spent in Cadaqués, in a small, cozy, and family-run hotel.

The accommodation has been chosen to embody the welcoming atmosphere of the region and offers twin rooms with private bathrooms on most nights. Some of the guest houses have swimming pools and beautiful gardens, ideal to relax in. Some meals are taken in typical Catalan restaurants with a menu of local delicacies to choose from, always best with a locally grown wine. Lunches are saddlebag or buffet-style picnics.

Special diets catered for with advance notice. Please advise when booking.



2025: Restaurants and catering during trip - payable on arrival €180pp

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures Passport and Visa requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Spain.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/spain

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

Costa Brava has a typical Mediterranean climate, similar to Barcelona and other coastal cities in Spain. It is characterized by long hot, dry summers and cooler short winters. Summer comes with loads of sunshine and an average temperature of about 30°C.
The winter months are mild with an average temperature of 14°C. However, the Costa Brava temperatures can drop very low in January to about 3°C. It’s even dropped below freezing before. The wet months are during Autumn, between October and November. October is the wettest month of the season with thunderstorms very typical during this time.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

You should always bring any regular prescription drugs you may need with you.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Spain and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

In Spain the supply voltage is 230V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 230V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly

There is electricity available each night to recharge phones. There is good mobile reception in some part of most days. If using a GoPro please ensure you have the permission of the group to be filmed.

Pack as you usually would for a holiday, for e.g. sunglasses, toiletries, casual clothes, and then these are your Horse Riding holiday essentials. If you are unsure, please speak with your Travel Consultant:
ESSENTIALS FOR ALL RIDING HOLIDAYS
- Riding helmet – complying with current EU & British standards (some locations can provide them but if possible bring your own for comfort and correct fit)
- Riding boots designed for riding and walking
- Riding gloves
- Chaps
- At least 2 pairs of riding trousers – jodhpur’s/breeches are best for anything, except western riding (Jeans)
- Long sleeved shirts
- Lightweight waterproof
- Water bottle
- Mobile phone

7 day / 6 night / 5 riding days with set date departures.

2025: 16 Feb; 9, 30* Mar; 21 Apr; 5, 25* May; 29 Sep; 12 Oct; 2 Nov; 14 Dec (*Confirmed)

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• The New Spaniards’ –John Hooper,


• ‘Driving over Lemons’- Chris Stewart,


• ‘The Story of Spain’- Mark Williams,


• ‘South from Granada’ – Gerald Brenan,


• ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’ – Ernest Hemmingway,


• ‘As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning’- Laurie Lee 


• ‘Don Quijote de la Mancha’ – Miguel de Cervantes.


• For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit www.thelongridersguild.com also a fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com

The Catalans are patriotic and disciplined, traditional yet modern. Contrasts also determine the relationship of Catalonia towards the rest of Spain, in particular towards Castile, whose dominance is sometimes regarded as oppression, even until today. The Catalans do not consider themselves Spanish and they are somewhat attracted by the French and German lifestyles. Bull fighting is not wanted here. Here, people prefer non-violent activities and encourage people’s creativity. Catalonia has raised creative minds like Antoni Gaudí, Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró.

Spain is a beautiful and diverse country, the second largest in Europe. The official language is Castilian Spanish but Catalan, Galician and Basque are also spoken. Territory includes two island archipelagos – the Balearics and the Canaries – and two enclaves on the North African coast, bordering Morocco – Ceuta and Melilla. The African influence can be found throughout Spain but especially in the south, for example the guitar was invented by the Spanish when they added a sixth string to the Arab lute. Music and art permeates Spanish culture, most obviously displayed in the fire and passion of the Flamenco and the stunning modern architecture found in the cities.

The famous siesta is still enjoyed by the majority of Spaniards, most shops close at lunchtime for two or three hours so everyone can escape the often scorching afternoon sun. Evening meals are served late into the evening with plenty of wine or sangria. Often meals can last two or three hours, especially if your host is serving Tapas, small and varied dishes of meats, bread, vegetables. Paella is also a delight and very popular across the country.

Spain is one hour ahead of GMT and they use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram. The international dialling code for Spain is +34.