Catalonia Walking Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Olot

Your walking journey in Catalonia begins with your arrival at the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, where you’ll find your charming rural accommodations.

After settling in, perhaps enjoy the private swimming pool and gardens here before having dinner at one of the best restaurants in La Garrotxa, just minutes away from your hotel!
Overnight Location: Hotel in La Garrotxa
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Discover the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park

Having spent the night within the Natural Park boundaries, it’s now time to explore its sensational grounds, home to forty volcanos!

Setting out from your accommodations, you’ll make your way to the visitor’s center in Fageda d’en Jorda, where you’ll receive comprehensive information on all aspects of the volcanic park.

Then, setting out from the visitor’s center, you’ll embark on a circular walk first through protected beech woods, then past several remarkable long-extinct volcanoes like the crater of El Croscat.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Garrotxa
Distance: 5.5 hours, 16.5km, 475m of ascent, 475m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Visit the Medieval Villages of Santa Pau and Besalú

This morning, your starting point is the beautiful village of Santa Pau. The village is home to numerous noteworthy historical sites, including the 15th-century Gothic church of Santa Maria, encased in an impressive medieval enclosure.

Setting out from Santa Pau, you’ll take a footpath through the Ser river valley before walking several gentle hills to your final descent into Besalú. The remarkably well-preserved town of Besalú will welcome you with its famous 12th-century Romanesque bridge that straddles the Fluvià River.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Besalú
Distance: 7 hours, 19.5km, 560m of ascent, 900m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Walk Beautiful Countryside and Explore Besalú

Enjoy a shorter, but equally spectacular walk today through colourful farmland and along the banks of the picturesque Fluvià. Enjoy a refreshing dip in one of the river’s many swimming spots and enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the area that serves regional specialties.

This afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Besalú in-depth. Declared a historical National Monument, Besalú features a church consecrated in the year 1003, a restored mikveh (Jewish bathhouse), and fascinating relics of a medieval synagogue in the town’s lower quarter. Enjoy this opportunity to be swept back in time and enchanted by the past.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Besalú
Distance: 4 hours, 11.5km, 175m of ascent, 170m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Walk “The Historical Way” Linking Empuries to Finisterre

Setting out from Camallera, you’ll embark on a scenic section of “The Historical Way”, an ancient trail linking Ampuries to Finisterre.

Enjoy a pleasant walk through quintessential Catalonian countryside, passing rustic farmhouses, numerous small plots and active dairy farms.

Making your way to the coast, you’ll soon reach the archeological site of Empuries, two ancient cities, one Greek and one Roman, full of historical surprises! The towns, set on the sea, are the perfect place to spend an afternoon exploring on foot. You can also enjoy a visit to the museum here, providing further insight into the historical importance of this area.
Overnight Location: Hostel in L’Escala
Distance: 5.5 hours, 20km, 275m of ascent, 365m of desccent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Walk the Cliffs and Coves of L’Estartit

An optional walk beginning in L’Estartit is available today by taking a short taxi transfer to the coastal town.

L’Estartit is home to dramatic seaside landscapes of towering, rugged cliffs and beautiful coves. Enjoy a pleasant route leading back to L’Escala, with a stop for a delicious local lunch at Montgó beach. Here you can also enjoy a swim in the crystalline Mediterranean waters.

Continue the route past the port to return to beautiful L’Escala, where you’ll enjoy an evening at your leisure!
Overnight Location: Hostel in L’Escala
Distance: 6 hours, 15.5km, 620m of ascent, 680m of descent
Meals: None

Day 7 Depart L’Escala

With a week’s worth of wonderful walking memories to take with you, you’ll depart L’Escala this morning and return to the airport.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None