The province of Girona, in Catalonia, is regarded as one of the richest areas in Spain for its attractive countryside and architectural and cultural heritage. Because Can Sort lies between the Pyrenees and the Costa Brava, the countryside is very varied within a relatively small radius.

In spite of being a prosperous area, it still conserves the traditional rural and village way of life. The paths and tracks have not been asphalted nor has the countryside been fenced off so there is an unlimited combination of paths and bridleways to explore.

You can experience the thrill of riding from the summits of the Pyrenees to the beaches of the Mediterranean, and this, combined with a mild climate and sunshine practically all the year round is an unforgettable experience.

Can Sort is only 20km from the sea, by the River Fluvia, on a hill surrounded by woods and meadows. Nearby are a number of small stone villages with their Romanesque churches that still have not been spoilt by tourism.

Can sort is an old traditional Catalan country farmhouse called a masia, which has been renovated and decorated with antique furniture to provide accommodation for 15 people.

Ten years ago, its owners, Jaime Dalmau and Cristina Solé gave up their professions (as a lawyer and graphic reporter respectively) in the city to live in the country and do what they have always wanted to do – work with horses. The running of the farmhouse and riding school is personally supervised by them, (including the cooking). Both are guides and excellent instructors.

Their 17 horses are considered part of the family. The horses are Spanish, Spanish-Arab crosses and Anglo-Arabs who are well schooled and are suitable for novice as well as experienced riders. The riding school has a 20x40 metre outdoor school and a 40x80 metre jumping arena, enabling you to combine classes with the superb rides.

From this privileged location you can ride out in a different direction every day and will never repeat the same route. On every ride you will be able to see something different: castles, Romanesque monasteries, medieval villages, the traditional masias, and stud farms for Pure-bred Spanish horses. From the riding centre it is only a 5-hour ride following the lush course of the River Fluvia to the sandy beaches of the Gulf of Roses.

ACCOMMODATION Twin rooms with bathroom.

RIDING
Horses: Spanish, Spanish-Arab crosses and Anglo-Arabs. Half day riding (3 hours). Full day riding (5 hours). General purpose saddles. Rides include trotting and cantering.

TRAIL RIDE: Medieval Catalonia and the beaches of the Costa Brava.

Day 1: Arrival at the riding centre and welcome dinner.

Day 2: Departure after breakfast for a whole day’s riding following the course of the River Fluvia. Picnic lunch and visit to a Pure-bred Spanish horse stud. Return to Can Sort in the afternoon.
This first day is designed to assess each rider’s ability and to make sure that they have been given the most suitable horse.

Day 3: Departure from Can Sort, crossing the River Ter heading towards the Bajo Ampurdan region through woods, over rolling hills and along bridleways. You will see stone masias and small rural hamlets. Picnic en-route and dinner and accommodation in an old country house especially restored for rural tourism.

Day 4: Ascent to the cordillera of Las Gavarras, which is a protected area with rich and varied flora and fauna. Picnic lunch in the meadows of Els Metges, the only inhabited house on the high mountain side, from where there is a spectacular view over the plain of the Ampurdan and the Pyrenees. In the afternoon we will descend the mountain trails to Fitor where there is a large masia surrounded by mountains and meadows. Once the property of the Catalan nobility, it still has a centuries-old feel to it. Dinner and accommodation in Can Cals.

Day 5: The trail will take us through a number of villages of historical importance: Peratallada, Palau Sator and Pals. Riding through these totally unspoilt medieval villages, with their stone houses, narrow streets, watch towers and Romanesque churches, is like a journey back in time.
In the afternoon we will arrive at the mouth of the River Ter and the sandy beach of Pals, 8km long, with a view of the Medas Islands in the distance. Dinner and accommodation in a small peaceful hotel only 200 metres from the beach.

Day 6: The trail will follow the course of the River Ter, where we will cross it on reaching Torroella de Montgrí. From here the trail goes up towards the massif of Montgrí skirting the stony meseta. Here stands the castle of Montgrí from where there is a panoramic view of the coast. We will descend down the other side and arrive in an area of sand dunes, pine forests with sandy soil, ideal for canters. We will follow this wild and rugged part of the massif with its shrubs and stony ground until it nears the sea where the landscape changes to cliffs, coves and caves. From here there is a splendid view over the Gulf of Roses. We will continue our descent to Sant Martí de Ampuries and continuing on to the Greco-Roman remains of Ampuries. Dinner and accommodation in a seafront hotel in the town of La Escala.

Day 7: From the village of Sant Martí de Ampuries will we ride along the beach for a few kilometres following the contour of the Bay of Roses. After, the trail will take us through peach and apple orchards to Arementera. From here we will follow the basin of the River Fluvia ending up in Can Sort.
Farewell dinner.

Day 8: Breakfast and transfer to Figueras railway station.

TRAIL RIDE. Including:

8 days, 7 nights. Saturday to Saturday. Transfer to and from Figueras railway station.

Riding: 6 full days riding, 5-6 hours a day, general purpose saddles. Vehicle backup support. Accommodation:
Full board. Twin or triple bed rooms with en-suite bathroom or shared bathroom.