Self-Guided Discoverer Trail

Individual, challenging and unique!

1.990 € pp
+ additional services

Overview

Short Trail Description

Do it your way - self-guided trail riding with a map and compass! Experience your very own adventure, as you discover Catalonia on horseback on your own! On this trail you are your own guide! This is as individual as it can be, as it is you who decides what kind of adventure you have. Come with your partner or a friend and enjoy the feeling of capturing a foreign land with your horse independently. Orient yourself in an admirably variable landscape, enjoy the views and relax in total tranquillity.

To make sure that you can definitely enjoy your personal adventure, we organise the logistics; accommodation for you and the horses is organized by us - as well as food for you and the horses.

Of course, someone who wants to explore foreign lands on horseback needs to have adequate experience in the saddle and the right materials. The first you bring with you, the second we provide: you will get saddle bags, maps and an orientation guide, our "Trail Book"!

Duration

6 Days / 6 Nights / 6 Riding Days

Participants

2 - 6 Riders

Scenery

Pyrenees

Highlights & Facts

self-guided riding trail
self-dependent trail riding - a unique experience!
an intense time with horses, the country and its people
excellently trained horses
lonesome nature for relaxed horseback riding
charmingly familiar accommodations

Riding Level

3 horseshoes or more (Intermediate)

Self-Guided Trail — Self-Guided Discoverer Trail

Individual, challenging and unique!

Trail Route

Day
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Day 1: Self-guided trail ride: Horse riding made fun!

Imagine you are in Spain. The sun is shining, you saddle your horse and are almost ready to leave.

Your self-guided trail starts in Catalonia. You arrive at the Panorama-Trails horse riding centre on the morning of a self-chosen day. Here you meet your four-legged companion and get all the material and knowhow that you need from us (how to saddle, where to go, feeding the horses etc.). We also give you an introduction to the maps. And then it's time to go!

The path leads you through thick forests of stone oaks and pines. Now you're really on your own - what a great feeling! For lunch, you enjoy your first picnic packed in your saddlebag and allow yourself and your horse a refreshing break. With renewed energy, you ride through a Mediterranean landscape and reach your beautiful residence for the night.

Self organised riding holiday Costa Brava

Day 2: The River Fluvia

A wonderful morning! With the sunrise, you feed your horses. At breakfast you study the map, saddle the horses and off you go again.

Today a special kind of adventure is waiting for you: you cross the river Fluvia! You can hear the water rushing by. Then, your horse takes the first steps into the water and now you are right in the middle of the river! The water is around you and you can feel the powerful muscles of your horse working against the current. You arrive at the shore safely and relax - you managed the challenge successfully!

Now is a good opportunity to sit down for a picnic and give yourself and the horses a break. Then, you move onto a walnut plantation close to the beautiful town of Crespià, where you find your hostel for the night. The building dates back to the 18th century and has a very special charm. There is a meadow for the horses right in the front of the house, so a good resting place for the horses too.

Day 3: To the Pyrenees

Today you ride towards the Pyrenees! On the way through aromatic pine forests you can feel free – a rare thing these days. No everyday routine, no civilization, just you, the horses and nature! The forest opens up in front of you and you see meadows and fields lying in front of you, allowing you first sight of the Pyrenees. You are the one who decides the pace - maybe you want to pause here and take in the view, before you move on at a faster pace.

At the foot of the Pyrenees you reach an adorable property where you stay for the night. It is the end of a day spent in harmony with nature. Enjoy a spectacular view on the lowland of the Pla de l'Estany. You can refresh yourself in the pool if you want to.

Day 4: Into the Mediterranean Pyrenees!

It is the fourth day in the saddle and you can feel that your body has adjusted to riding. You are now able to estimate your own strength and the strength of your horse and adjust the speed and rest periods accordingly. You experience the original way of horse riding - to get to your destination without any help, with just your own planning and a map.

Today your destination is the little town of Sant Llorenç de la Muga. To get here you ride along the foothills of the Pyrenees, dipping into a thick mixed forest. This forest is followed by a lonesome valley, where the ripple of a little mountain stream is a very welcome sound. You can decide if you want to have your lunch break here. Jump into the fresh water and sit down at the edge of the stream with your picnic!

When you get to Sant Llorenç de la Muga, you get a sense of the Middle Ages that surrounds this place.

Your day ends at a local hostel where you get to know David's excellent cooking. What a treat!

Unforgettable horse riding break Catalonia

Day 5: Swimming in the lake!

For a last time, you start your day with the horses. You skillfully store your materials and prepare yourself and your horses for the day. You leave the old town and immerse back into nature. In the cork oak forests you find impressive trees whose age you can only guess!

Finally, you see a sparkling lake in front of you. You decide if you want to take a dip or simply enjoy the view.

You are now in the middle of the Mediterranean mountains and at the final point of your journey. You reach the beautiful town Darnius, where the friendly owners of an old stone-built “Masia Catalana” are waiting for you. The nice hosts treat you to some delicious dishes prepared with ingredients from their own cultivations. At a delicious dinner on the terrace, you can think back on your adventure whilst enjoying the great panoramic view on the surrounding mountains.

Day 6: Hasta la vista!

You say goodbye to your faithful companion of the last week and prepare to go home - with a collection of unforgettable memories that will linger on for a long time!

> Important notice to all customers!

Information & Services

Character

For the participation on our Self-Guided Trails we approach a responsible and a fair attitude towards the horse and nature!

It is important for us to emphasise that the most important thing on this self-guided trail is not the speed but enjoyable trail riding!

Since you are travelling on your own, you should have appropriate riding experience in the field and experience in the independent handling of horses and their feed. You must be secure in the saddle at all paces!

The welfare of the horse and the safety of horse and rider must always come first. Do not over exert your four-legged travel companion and do not put yourself and the horse in unnecessary danger. Although the riding pace is individually flexible, this must always be adapted to the different terrain and the condition of the horse and rider. The Self-Guided Panorama Trail includes both mountainous and flat terrain. In difficult areas it is necessary to lead the horse. Comfortable walking shoes are necessary for this purpose.

Our surefooted horses are very experienced in varied terrain. To master the challenge of this self-guided trail ride, you and your four-legged partner should make a good team. Daily 3-5 hours in the saddle.

Included services

Riding program as described
5 riding days with 5 nights' accommodation, including breakfast. In double room with shower and WC, including 1 night with shared shower and toilet
Saddle bag picnic on arrival day
Trail horse and its necessary equipment
Mapping and guidance
Telephone Support (in German, English and Spanish)
Accommodation tax
Luggage and horse food transport
Transfers on site

Special Offers

Flexible travel dates (on request)

Not included services

Flight or public transport on arrival and departure, taxi
Transfer to/from the start/endpoint of the trail
Lunches and dinners (Saddlebag picnic or restaurant, depending on your choice)
Entrance fees for museums and monuments
Drinks/ food in bars
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
Tips for the team and other services

Transfers & Caterings

Notice

First day: Arrival at 10:00 a.m. at Panorama-Trails;
Introduction / guidance to the care of horses (about 2 hours). Then the first track ride.
Last day: Breakfast (approx. 9:00 a.m.) – Departure with transfer to the next train station (Main Train Station FIGUERES) (plus 50 €).
The tour operator reserves the right to substitute the described accommodation with an alternative.

Accommodation

Double room

Single room supplement + 40,- Euro/night

Arrival

Airport Barcelona (BCN)
Airport Girona (GRO)

We would be happy to organise your personalised arrival/departure from/to Barcelona and from/to Girona to the respective start /end point. If needed we can book a taxi transfer or reserve train tickets for you. Please contact us!

*Arrival is on the first day of riding at 10:00 a.m. Should you wish to arrive the day before, we are happy to help with the arrangements. In this case, please understand that our services and site support begin on the first day of riding!

Transfers & Caterings

Important notice

Important notice to all customers!

All trail itineraries are general guidelines and in order to offer our customers the best riding holiday experience sometimes it is necessary to make changes.

Depending on the number of trails running, the season, the weather and national holidays, we may make alterations to itineraries at short-notice, which could affect the number of riding hours per day, the route we take to any given destination or the use of alternative accommodations. Trails can also be ridden in both directions. All changes are at our discretion but when changes are made, we endeavour to ensure that our high standards of quality are maintained and reflected in the alternatives we choose.

Presentation, organization, photos and information by Rudi Stolz

Booking

Rideable Months

Event-Dates

Available all year round. You can choose your own travel dates (upon request)

1.990 € *

* Prices without not included services

Guest opinions

Self-Guided Discoverer Trail
October 2024

Hello Daniela,

Back from a wonderful horseback riding vacation, I am left with many beautiful memories and images of a stunning landscape, along with well-trained, friendly, and motivated horses. Unfortunately, it went by too quickly as always, and saying goodbye was hard for me. Many thanks again for your support and organization.

Warm regards,

Gerhard

Self-Guided Discoverer Trail
October 2017

I’m an experienced trail rider. However, I’ve never been on an unguided trail abroad in a terrain that I do not know. This was a special challenge for me and my friends. Since my first trail with Rudi was so well organized, I‘ve chosen Panorama-Trails again – and I didn’t regret it.

Rudi provided us with the equipment we needed – and with four amazing horses! It was one of the best trail rides I’ve ever done! Being free to choose the riding pace and the time for the lunch break yourself makes you completely independent. We were very proud that we didn’t get lost, and we were warmly welcomed whenever we reached our accommodation.

Thank you, Rudi & the whole Panorama-Trails team, for trusting us with your horses, for the perfect organization and for doing a great job!

Katarina O.

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