Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made the difference. (Robert Frost – The road not taken)

Walking in Catalonia

At the moment these are the walks you can download for free (click on the title link). We will be adding to them soon. Please read the walking notes below before following any of these routes.

Notes to Read Before Setting Off

People have been walking the hills of Catalonia for centuries and you will be following in the footsteps of the priests, bandits, peasants and smugglers who walked these paths day and night, rain or shine. Nowadays, you are only likely to meet other walkers, and that only at weekends. These paths and tracks, the motorways of the past, are today sadly being lost, although we can console ourselves with the thought that by treading some of these ancient, smooth-worn cobbles we are helping to keep alive a memory of our not too distant past.

Rights of Way

Walking in Catalonia is a delight for those used to crowded footpaths, barbed-wire fences and 'No Entry' signs since as long as you leave no sign of your passing, there are no restrictions to where you can walk. Most land is private, but it is understood that walkers are no threat to anybody and the existence of a path is generally enough to provide walkers with a tacit right to enjoy said path. If in doubt, ask if you meet someone.

Equipment

Essentially, walking in Catalonia is the same as walking anywhere else: you MUST take a minimum of basic equipment, and SHOULD carry as much of the optional equipment as you can.

Climate

Walking in summer can be intolerably hot in parts Catalonia and so walking is most comfortable in spring and autumn, when temperatures are mild and weather conditions in general are suitable for these walks. Winter can bring snow to higher parts.

Weather

Rain is possible in much of the Eastern Pyrenees at any time of year, although unlikely in much of the summer. However, the biggest threat is probably from afternoon storms in spring/summer/autumn.

The climate of the region is essentially Mediterranean at lower altitudes, with Atlantic-type climate in more upland areas. This means long dry summers, rainfall concentrated in autumn and spring and mild and fairly dry winters lower down, with greater possibility of more rain the higher you go. Up high afternoon showers are the tonic in summer.

In winter thermal inversions are common – cold air sinking to the valley bottom, warmer air above on the mountain sides – and persistent fogs in winter sit in the valley bottom while the surrounding mountain sides are bathed in radiant sunshine.

Nuisances

4-wheel drive vehicles – Some of the paths you will follow are tracks used by local people to reach their farms by vehicle: stand aside with a friendly wave.

Motorbikes – Unfortunately the recreational use of tracks by scramblers occurs in the area, although you are unlikely to meet any on these routes. Again, just stand aside and be patient.

Hunters – The hunting season gets into full swing in November and lasts until the end of February (only Thursdays, weekends and public holidays), although sometimes special dispensation is given for an extra fortnight in September or October. You are unlikely to come across any hunters, although in general most are very courteous and respect the rights of walkers. If in doubt, wait or shout out to warn hunters of your presence.

Things that bite or sting – Catalonia is all but free of dangerous animals and, unless you suffer from an allergy or phobia or some type, you need not worry. Catalonia has an adder of similar proportions to the British viper, as well as a number of other, less-poisonous snakes, of which the 2-metre-long Montpellier snake can surprise by its size alone. A small scorpion (with a painful sting) or a large, black-and-yellow striped centipede, which can also give you a nasty bite, live under stones in dry areas. Of the larger mammals, wild boar are very common but harmless unless you corner a female with young.

Dogs – Most farms have dogs, but almost all are kept to warn inhabitants of the approach of strangers, rather than to actually ward them off. Thus, their bark is very much worse than their bite. Quite possibly shepherd's dogs are more of a nuisance, as they can be rather over-zealous if you pass near their flock of sheep. Nevertheless, a shout to the nearest shepherd to alert him of your presence will immediately result in him calling his dogs to order.

Cows and bulls – La Garrotxa is far-removed from the Spain of the fighting bull and stocky, bad-tempered bulls are not left in fields to surprise walkers. However, you may find a bull in with a herd of cows, although a bigger danger are the cows themselves: never get between a cow and her calf, as she will do as any mother does. If in doubt, skirt a field with a herd of cows. Nevertheless, one surprising thing for visitors from abroad is that cows are also allowed to graze in woodland, and so you might just find a cow in the middle of a track. Be patient and don't worry.

Electric fences – There are quite a few in this region, although few are marked. Any fence with plastic insulators should therefore be treated with respect.