The hiking routes explore the whole of the Cerdanya region and this area of the Catalan Pyrenees, with routes in the north to the peaks on the borders with Andorra and France, to the south where we find the Sierra de Cadi, and one day on the French side of the border. All hikes will be guided by knowledgeable, qualified guides.

Two hiking options will be offered each day, a shorter and a longer option. Each evening we’ll explain the following days routes and people can decide which they’d like to do. The itinerary below shows the hikes that we will be offering, however, we do leave our itineraries flexible and will adjust plans according to the group’s level of fitness and the weather forecast.

Shorter options will be 6-10 km with between 200 and 400 metres of ascent. The hiking will generally be on good paths and is quite grassy underfoot, although there are some rocky sections. The longer option will be 10-14 km, with 600 to 1000 metres of ascent. The terrain will be more rugged, stony, and steeper than the easier options.

Cerdanya EcoResort makes a perfect base for exploring the area being close to the best hikes and having great facilities such as a spa and pool. A visit each day to the hotel’s lovely spa is included in the price of the holiday.

Day 1 – Arrive Cerdayna EcoResort

Transfer from Barcelona – it’s a two hour transfer from the airport or Barcelona Sants train station. Arrive in Cerdanya where you stay at Hotel Muntayna which is part of the Cerdanya EcoResort. Briefing in the evening about the week ahead, going over the route and giving you a chance to ask any questions. Evening meal at the hotels restaurant, many dishes are made with ingredients grown in the hotel’s own extensive vegetable garden and greenhouses.

Day 2

The southern side of the valley is explored today as both routes head up to the beautiful meadow of Prat de Cadi, lying under the high cliffs of the Sierra de Cadi.

Short option: Prat de Cadi

Prat de Cadi

The hike starts in the tiny village of Estana. From here you climb through beautiful pine woods to the flower-filled meadows of Prat de Cadi that lie beneath the high cliffs of the Sierra de Cadi. This is a there-and-back route, returning to the village of Estana.
Short option: 6.5 km, ascent: 370 m

Longer option: Prat de Cadi plus the route of the cols

The longer option also heads up through woodland, to the flower-filled meadows of the Prat de Cadi. From here, we head along a beautiful path that runs along the bottom of the cliffs of the Sierra de Cadi. You also get great views to the north, over all of the high peaks that line the border between Spain and both France and Andorra. This circular route, then heads back to the village of Estana.
Long option: 14 km, ascent 720 m

Day 3

Today, we explore the area of Perafita, a high mountain that sits on the Spanish/Andorran border. The easier option visits the lakes that sit below the summit, while the longer option heads up to the col on the border or up to the 2753m summit of Perafita.

Short option: The Pera lakes

Starting in beautiful pine woods, the route gently heads up through meadows and into more open rugged land. Here we find the beautiful lakes of Pera. These two lovely lakes sit right under the face of the rugged peak of Perafita. Option of a coffee at the refugio that’s nearby.
Short option: 6.5 km, ascent/descent: 225 m

Long option: Col of Perafita or the summit of Perafita (2753m)

Again staring in pine woods, you head up to the lakes of Pera. From here, the steeper climbing begins as you head up to the Pass of Perafita, a traditional crossing point for smugglers between Andorra and Spain. If people are up for it, we can continue up the ridgeline that marks the border, up to the summit for magnificent views over both Andorra and Spain.
Long option: to col: 9 km, ascent 450 m (the peak adds 2.5 km and 200 metres ascent)

Day 4

Today, we head to France for a spectacular set of hikes in a granite area, full of high mountain lakes. All of the routes start from the refuge of Bulloses. Both hikes explore beautiful sets of lakes.

Short option: Estany Negre and the lakes loop

A lovely walk starting at the refuge of Bulloses. The hut is already at 2000 metres so you start nice and high today. This gentle path heads south-east and passes by a set of beautiful high mountain lakes – Estany de la Pradella, Estany Negre, Estany Llarg and Estany Racó. Each lake lies at around 2000 metres altitude, in lovely mountain scenery.
Shorter option: distance: 7 km, ascent: 200 m

Long option: The high lake loop

This route explores the higher lakes to the west of the Refuge of Bulloses. You’ll pass by ten lakes that all lie in the area under the high peaks of Pic Carlit which at 2921 metres one of the highest summits in the area. The route makes a wonderful circuit of the lakes, all of which have wonderful views.
Long option: distance: 11.5 km, ascent: 420 m

Relax your tired legs in a jacuzzi with a view!

Day 5 – Rest day – Puigcerda visit

A day to relax the leg. In the morning we’ll have a guided tour of the town of Puigcerda – a fascinating town that lies right on the French border. We’ll learn about the history of the area and climb the bell tower where we can see the town of Llivia, a Spanish enclave surrounded by France, and discover its story.

You can take advantage of the excellent facilities at the hotel. Relax in the pool or spa, or take a yoga class. For those with energy, you can play a game of padel tennis, use the gym or try out the climbing wall.

In the afternoon we’ll have a guided tour of the hotel’s greenhouses and vegetable gardens and they’ll explain their drive towards sustainability. The day will be rounded off by a barbeque evening meal, in a delightful area the hotel has nearby.

Day 6

The hikes all start at the refuge of Cap de Rec and explore the lakes that lie under Tossa Plana de Lles, at 2905 metres the highest mountain in Cerdanya.

Short option: Lake l’Orri

Starting at the hut of Cap del Rec, we hike up through woodland to the beautiful lake of l’Orri, lying only a few kilometres from the Andorran border and set amongst lovely pine woods.
Short option: 7 km, ascent 300 m

Long option: The Setut Lakes

Heading up through the pine woods, we first pass by the lake of l’Orri. We keep climbing, leaving the woods behind and reach two high lakes of Setut, sitting under the summits, just a stone’s throw from Andorra.
Long option: 12 km, ascent 690 m

Day 7

The starting point for today’s routes is the hut of Refugi de Malniu at 2130 metres. A hut in a delightful setting with a beautiful lake alongside. The short route explores the meadows and and nearby lakes, while the longer route follows a section of the famous GR11 path to a rugged alpine area with lakes set in high mountain scenery.

Short option: Estany de Malniu

We first explore the small but very pretty lake next to the refuge, before heading through meadows where horses graze to the larger lake of Estany de Malniu. We head up to another smaller lake before returning to the Malniu hut.
Short option: 8 km, ascent  300m

Long option: Estany Llarg

Heading out from Refuge Malniu, we hike along a section of the GR11, the famous trans-Pyrenean path that runs the length of the range. We hike up to and into a wonderful cirque, filled with lakes and surrounded by high rocky peaks. We make a circuit of the lakes, before heading back down the GR11.
Distance 14 km, ascent 700 m

Day 8 – Depart

Breakfast at the hotel before transfer to Barcelona (approx. 2 hours).

Catalan Pyrenees
2024 Dates

Saturday 18th – Saturday 25th May 2024 – Fully booked

Price

1599 € per person (based on two people sharing a twin or double room)
149 € single room supplement

What is included:

7 nights accommodation at Hotel Muntanya (Cerdanya EcoResort)
7 x breakfasts (every morning)
7 x three course evening meals (each night)
Spa session each day
5 x picnics for all hiking days
5 x guided walking days
Rest day excursion to Puigcerda
Transfers to/from Barcelona

What is not included:

Flights, insurance, drinks with the evening meal.

Transfers:

Transfers will be from/to BARCELONA (not Zaragoza like most of our other holidays).

There will be a pick up from both Barcelona airport and Barcelona Sants train station (which is quite central if you are staying in Barcelona beforehand).

The exact time of the transfers is TBC but the pick up will be around 2pm and the drop off the following Saturday around 11am if you are booking flights.

Hotel Muntanya – Cerdanya EcoResort (Prullans)

Relax your tired legs in a jacuzzi with a view!

A lovely ecologically friendly hotel in the village of Prullans. Rooms have beautiful views of the valley and over to the Sierra de Cadi which you can enjoy from your balcony (most, but not all rooms have balconies). All bedrooms are en-suite.

The hotel’s pool has a sliding roof so is either indoor or outdoor depending on the weather, meaning that it can be used year-round. The spa is lovely, with a tranquil adults-only pool, sauna, cold plunge pools, and a jacuzzi with superb views. A spa circuit is included for each night that you’re in the EcoResort during your stay.

The hotel bar has a large terrace and garden outside, all with great views over the mountains. There is a gym, padel courts and facilities such as bike hire available.

During the summer, the hotel grows the majority of its own vegetables in its extensive gardens and greenhouses. A guided tour of the vegetable gardens is included during your stay.

Evening meals and breakfasts are taken at the hotel’s restaurant. Meals are three courses with choices for each course. They serve many local Catalan dishes. Breakfasts are buffet-style. Picnic lunches will be provided for each hiking day.

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  The pool at the hotel

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  Hotel Muntanya bedroom

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  Relaxing on the bedroom's balcony