Walking & Cycling holidays
With David Wickers
An active holiday, walking or cycling, is a really great way to explore a region in more depth and get a real sense of its character and history.
I flew to Girona to explore the province of the same name with independent active holiday specialists Inntravel to find out more. Accompanied by local guide and Inntravel route planner Gonzal, on this trip I got a taste of several different walking routes from the High Pyrenees, through the Garrotxa region and on the coast…
Gonzal: If you think that there’s the proximity of quite high mountains to the sea, that creates a lot of different ecosystems
David:Yes, all within a fairly small space
Gonzal: Yes just within a 100kms you can reach the high Pyrenees with really alpine meadows, snow in winter, and then once you descend to the sea you find the volcanoes, quite small but beautiful volcanoes with dense forest. Then just coming to the sea where we are, the plants of the forest disappear and the rocky character of the area appears
David: I’ve so enjoyed moving through the countryside, the variety at a pace where it slowly unveils itself when you are walking or cycling, much preferable to travelling around by car. I think a lot of Britains will think of the Costa Brava as high rise and big busting resorts but of course that’s not the case in this part.
Gonzal: No no, Costa Brava in fact means Wild Coast and that’s what it really is. A succession of small coves, small fishing villages which retain most of their character. Between these villages you can follow the coastal path connecting small coves, up again through the forest, back again to the beach, villages and so on.
David: So its easier actually to walk from fishing village to fishing village. That’s the only way you can do it directly otherwise you have to come inland and go out again,
Gonzal: Yes that’s what we call Cami de Ronda.
David: Cami de Ronda, right
When it comes to choosing a route, there are many options open to you and complete flexibility to mix and match different itineraries and if you wish add in extra nights or rest days to create your perfect itinerary. There’s no doubting the scenic beauty of Catalonia region, but what about the practicalities? Whether you are walking or cycling, clear directions of course are vital.
As well as a large scale map of the area you also get a set of very detailed notes so there’s really no danger of getting lost at all. Any point of ambiguity, it tells you which way to go
And on top of the notes, all the cycle paths and walking routes in the region are extremely well marked…
Don’t take my word for it though, out and about I crossed paths with plenty of Inntravel customers
With 2 ladies on Cami de Ronda
How about the notes that you are using to find your way, have you been lost?
We have been lost but we got back on track fairly easily and we found on the whole they were very good, yes
With couple:
How have you found the pace of the trip, has it been within your walking power?
Lady: I set the pace from the rear so its been fine for me. But no its been about right
Man: the notes are pretty good all the way through, very descriptive and the timings, we walk to the timings so our walking speed must be about right for them
David: I found it really fantastic that the luggage just disappears and you don’t see it again til the end of the day
Man: When you arrive at the hotel your bags are there, you just pick them up and take them to your room. In the morning when you leave after breakfast you leave them in reception, usually by 10, and off they go and when you get to the next destination, there they are. It works perfectly, very very simple
For their cycling holidays Inntravel provide top quality 24 speed touring bikes, complete with all the accessories. The bike will be delivered directly to you at your first hotel and there’s an efficient back up system in place in case of any problems…
Of course cycling is hugely popular in Spain and out on the road you may well be overtaken by lycra-clad locals. Like me though, most Inntravel cyclists dress for comfort…
Rob comment: I just wear shorts and a T shirt or shirt. I don’t need to have go faster clothing on, it doesn’t enhance the day for me personally
And of course the last piece of the activity holiday puzzle is a great hotel to head for. There’s nothing more motivating on a long walk or cycle than the thought of a comfortable bed, fantastic meal and maybe a treat or two at the end of the day..
Comment on hotels
Well if you haven’t tried a walking or cycling holiday, Catalonia is the perfect place because you’ve got a good mix of scenery landscape, terrain, you’ve got the mountains, you’ve got the coastal plains, you’ve got gentle gradients throughout. It’s a very soft introduction to an active holiday plus you’ve got some very nice places to stay along the way…
