The Spanish Pyrenees Self Guided Walk

The Pyrenees is unbeatable destination for hikers. Ripollès, where this arrangement will take you, is a relatively green region. It is a small-scaled area in the foothills of the high mountains with small compact villages which often have an old and original town centre and where the air of the small narrow streets is permeated by the smell of cattle and manure.

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival at Camprodon
Arrival in the center of the village of Camprodon - the main town of the Camprodon Valley, standing at the confluence of the Ter and Ritort rivers. An interesting site is the 12th century bridge, which spans the Ter. Explore the area of the town called the “new” quarter of houses built early in the last century in Art Noveau style. Overlooking the village is the Romanesque Monastery of Sant Pere.

Day 3. Molló - Setcases
After you leave Mollo you start climbing up to Can Pletis farm house, then continue up to the top of the Torrent de la Font de l'Espellat. On a clear day, the panorama includes the warm folds of the Garrotxa, the mighty peak of Canigou, the last great Pyrenean mountain before the chain tumbles into the Mediterranean, and the looming masses of the peaks above Setcases. You climb up a bit more till you reach the well marked GR11 route. You start your descent to Setcases via some meadows and forests.
Walking: 6 hrs

Day 4. Setcases. Free day.
Today you have the option of visiting the village and surrounding area or to explore the area in depth on a longer hike up the valley. Why not climb one of the mountain passes or even the Bastiments peak (2.881 m) with unrivalled mountain views. On clear days you can see the blue waters of the Mediterranean from here.

Day 5. Setcases - Llanars
You start following the road to Camprodon. Then you walk up a path revealing the beautiful Setcases valley. You pass by the Llebro stone, some farm houses, then descend to the village of Villalonga de Ter. You can have a short rest in the village before you continue along the road to Llanars
Walking: 4 hrs

Day 6. Llanars - Ribes de Freser
Today you cross some beautiful villages - La Roca, Abella, then have a spectacular, gradual ascent through a wild valley up the Collada Verda Pass (1.606 m) from where you descend along undulating paths and tracks to Ribes de Freser.
Walking: 6 hrs

Day 7. Departure
By train to Barcelona or by bus via Ripoll to Girona.

Optional day: Ribes de Freser - walk in the area
Free day to enjoy this nice village or to take the rack train up to Núria. There is time to climb above the monastery to admire the breathtaking views and do some circular routes which are marked. An optional walk down the valley to Queralbs would add another 2,5 hours (rack railway stops here). Another option is to take the train to Ripoll and visit the Romanesque monastery Santa Maria, the cradle of the Catalan Nation.

Practical information: HIKING SPECIFICS: - You will walk mainly below the tree line on dirt roads and nice forest paths and meadows. On days 3 and 6 you will have the chance to enjoy the alpine landscapes of The Pyrenees climbing up to 2800 m. In high areas you might find cattle grazing, which means you must be careful with drinking water from rivers and brooks.- Ticks are also possible – check regularly your trousers or legs.- People suffering from fear of heights are not expected to have any problems on this arrangement, but then again you might have to walk over a steep slope now and then, but never with a huge depth right under you.

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