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| Explore — Worldwide 2008/09 |
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Barcelona & the Ramblas Capital of Catalonia, Barcelona offers a range of unbeatable attractions with its character epitomised by the architecture of Antoni Gaudi and the Ramblas the link between the old town and the harbour. Leaving Barcelona by train, we journey towards the Pyrenees to Ripoll, the start of our trail to the coast. In association with the Spanish railway company, hundreds of kilometres of disused track has been converted into cycle routes known as Greenways . Gradients are mild and offer the chance to avoid motor traffic. Foothills of the Pyrenees & the Volcan Parque Natural We follow our greenway south east into a region of low mountains, evergreen oak forests and the Garrotxa Parque Natural the last eruption here was a mere 11,000 years ago! Birdlife is prolific this is a beautiful area of wooded landscapes and volcanic caldera interspersed with ancient walled villages and Romanesque churches. We have time in Olot to explore the local trails the only way to truly appreciate the glorious countryside. We continue to Girona,
To the Mediterranean The last leg of our journey takes us to the old port town of Sant Feliu de Guixos, crossing through oak and cork forests before bringing us to the sea. We have a day to relax here, swim or indulge in excellent Catalan cuisine and wine. For the dedicated cyclists there is one more opportunity to explore this beautiful region and go for a final ride along the scenic coast prior to our return to Barcelona. Cycling along the Greenways
Fuente De & the Ascent into the Sky We start by taking a cable-car 1000m above the valley floor to a land of frost-shattered rock and soaring limestone peaks the views are tremendous. From this vantage point we descend down to the verdant lower pastures. Following an immense U-shaped valley we travel to the hamlet of Sotres, our base for the next 5 nights. Sotres & the Naranjo De Bulnes After (perhaps) sampling the regions speciality moving cheese! we set out on foot for the uninhabited plateau of the Massif de Los Urrieles. We hike through flower-filled meadows and past freshwater springs to a majada (alpine pasture) below the giant monolith of the Naranjo de Bulnes (2519m) the trademark of the Picos. The energetic can walk further and explore the karstic moonscape. Silhouetted Chamois/John Telfer
Majado de Tobaos Tresviso Poncebos Cares Collado de Gorge Collado de Antesoles Pandebano La Caballar Torre de SOTRES Cerredo 2648m Cain Refugio de S PA I N La Padiorna Urriellu 2000m 2319m Majada de Vega de Iguedri Liordes Fuente De Majada de Pedavejo
ESPINAMA
Duj
e
Bay of Biscay
Picos de Europa
km 0 10
De
D E
Bilbao
km
SPAIN
0
Garganta del Urdon & the Cares Gorge We hike into the Garganta del Urdon , one of the Picos most impressive valleys, taking an old miners trail that zig-zags down from Tresviso. A highlight is our walk along a spectacular path carved into the cliff face through the dramatic chasm of the Garganta de Cares before returning to Sotres.
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Bilbao; drive Espinama. 2 Cable car to upper station (1980m), walk to Espinama via Vega de Liordes (6hrs). 3 Walk via Majada de Iguedri and Puertos de Aliva to Sotres (6hrs). 4 Drive to Pandebano; trek to Vega de Urriello Refuge beneath Pico de Naranja, and retrun to Pandebando, drive to Sotres (6hrs). 5 Walk via Callada Antesoles to Treviso (4hrs); drive to Sotres. 6 Drive to Poncebos, walk through Cares Gorge (6-7hrs), drive Sotres. 7 Drive to La Caballar, walk via Collada Entrejano to Arenas de Cabrales (6hrs); drive to Sotres. 8 Drive Bilbao; fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 5nts hotel, 2nts pension; 7 breakfasts included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus or Landcruiser/On foot. Comment: Moderate trekking with some steep ascents/descents it is possible to opt out of all walks if you want a rest day. On this two-centre trip we stay in a friendly family run hotel and pension. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s), luggage vehicle. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16.
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Barcelona. 2 In Barcelona, orientation tour, train to Ripoll. 3 Cycle to Olot. 4 In Olot cycle circuit through the Volcan Parque Natural. 5 Cycle to Girona, evening orientation tour along ramparts. 6 Cycle to Sant Feliu. 7 In Sant Feliu, optional cycle along coast. 8 Drive Barcelona; fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 7nts hotel; 7 breakfasts included. See insert p2. Bicycles: 21-gear hybrid bikes with front suspension, bag-rack & pannier bag for day things. Grade & Terrain: Grade B 174km/4 days (average 44km/cycling day). 1 day is left free with optional rides available. This trip mainly follows the undemanding former railway line (which is traffic free) or on quiet small country roads, with a strong emphasis on gradually cycling downhill from the Pyrenees foothills to the sea. There are 2 days with some ascent (140m - 220m) and 1 day with a 390m ascent. 85% converted railway line or paths, 15% tarmac roads. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader/driver to assist, advise and co-ordinate. All luggage is transported by our leader in a van that serves as support vehicle. No vehicle back up on days 4 and 7. Detailed maps of every days ride will be provided so you can ride independently or with group members. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16.
Pyrenees to the Med Ref CPM
PYR
ENEE
S
OLOT
Fluvia
Bike trails in Zona Volcanica de la Garrotxa NP
RIPOLL
Te r GIRONA
Old fortified town Explore city ramparts
S PA I N
SANT FELIU DE GUIXOLS
Beaches & forests
caption
Trek length and gradients
2400m 2000m 1600m 1200m 800m 400m 0m Day 2 6.25hrs Espinama Sotres Sotres Sotres Sotres
Catalonian Capital Gaudi Architecture Ramblas
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
km 0 30
BARCELONA
Day 3 4.5hrs
Day 4 6-7hrs
Day 5 5.5hrs
Day 6 6-7hrs
Day 7 5.5hrs
36
For information, inspiration and latest tour availability visit www.explore.co.uk
va
150
EUROPE
SPAIN
Coastal paths
SPAIN
In the Picos
Pyrenees to the Med
CYCLE GRADE B
Ref CPM
On Foot in the Picos de Europa Ref
TREKKING GRADE C
PC
JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
8 DAYS HOTELS CYCLE PATHS OF CATALONIA
8 DAYS HOTEL/PENSION HIKING AMONG THE PEAKS OF EUROPE
Catalonia is a land of great contrasting landscapes and a world away from the nearby Costas. Thanks to the conversion of a former railway track to a dedicated cycle path, it is now possible to cycle almost uninterruptedly from the foothills of the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean without having to negotiate roads. Time is spent exploring the little visited Garrotxa area a land of woods, extinct volcanoes and ancient villages. We also combine our cycle journey to the sea with a stroll through the Ramblas of Barcelona and the medieval back streets of Girona.
criss-crossing streams over a series of bridges. Girona was originally founded by the Romans, its ancient centre straddles a fortress-like hill. Taking a break from our bikes we climb the city walls at dusk for views over the old quarter.
This short break takes us into the rugged and isolated region of Asturias in Green Spain. We take a cable car high into the massif to begin our walk, follow glacial valleys, roam old pack-horse trails and cross Roman bridges. We enter the unspoilt and near-primeval landscapes of the Central Massif. Here, we hike to the base of the rust-coloured sugarloaf of the Naranjo de Bulnes.
On Foot in the Picos De Europa Ref PC From/To Bilbao
Arenas de Cabrales
P I C O S
Ca
res A O P E U R
FRANCE
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