The Spanish Pyrenees Self Guided Walk

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival at Mollo
Arrival in the center of the village of Mollo. Molló is a traditional mountain village and has a fine 12th century church with the tall, slender belfry typical of Catalan Church architecture. The surroundings of this small town have a big variety of fauna and flora and it’s a good place to discover the wild of the Pyrenees.

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 distance: 12 km

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.

Walking distance: 18,5 km

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 distance: 11 km

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 distance: 23 km

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

Optional day: Ribes de Freser - walk in the area

If you are spending an extra night at Ribes, you can’t miss to visit “ La Vall de Núria” by rack railway. The railway was opened in 1931 and the journey takes you through spectacular mountain scenery to Núria, 2000 m above sea-level, where you can enjoy a meal in the monastery or simply admire the surroundings. The Virgin of Núria, the patron Saint of Pyrenean shepherds, is venerated in a shrine here founded in the 11th century. This place is historically notable for the 1931 drafting of the first Catalan Statute of Autonomy, in the Sanctuary of the virgin of Núria.

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.