The Catalan Pyrenees straddling Cerdagne and Capcir
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationPyrénées-Orientales / Occitanie
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AgeFrom 12 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions183.13 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Gain altitude between Capcir and Cerdagne for an exceptional equestrian journey in the heart of the Catalan Pyrenees . This route guides you through a preserved territory where pine forests, summer pastures and high mountain scenery follow one another.
At your own pace, each day reveals remarkable sites. You'll ride along the shores of Lake Aude and Lake Lanoux , cross the protected Bouillouses site, and discover the sublime Camporells ponds . The route also crosses the Puymorens pass , offering spectacular panoramas of the Andorran and Spanish peaks.
This wild trek takes place amidst free-roaming horses and herds , guaranteeing an authentic connection with nature. Each evening, a warm welcome in mountain lodges and refuges allows you to recharge your batteries in traditional villages .
A complete adventure dedicated to lovers of wide open spaces , combining exceptional natural heritage and the pleasure of horseback riding.
The highlights
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Magnificent landscapes between high-altitude lakes, forests and Pyrenean summer pastures
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A traveling adventure from Capcir to Cerdagne, in the heart of the high mountains
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A variety of stages through mountain passes, wild valleys and trails in the heart of the Pyrenees
Photos
Sport
Level
Horseback riding
The expert's opinion
Riding level and physical condition
The trip is aimed at independent riders at all three gaits, comfortable on varied terrain and able to saddle and unsaddle their horse independently.
The terrain requires frequent dismounting to rest the horses, especially on descents and sometimes on certain ascents. A good level of fitness is therefore necessary to fully enjoy the ride and to navigate mountainous terrain on foot.
Children are accepted from the age of 12, with a minimum level of Galop 3, provided they are accompanied by an adult rider also participating in the ride.
For the well-being of our horses and to guarantee them suitable working conditions throughout the ride, the maximum rider weight is set at 90 kg.
For safety reasons and out of respect for animal welfare, our local expert reserves the right to interrupt your stay without refund if the required riding level is not assimilated or if the weight limit is exceeded.
In figures
Horseback riding
- Average duration/day: 6h
Management
French
English
Floriane, a passionate rider and certified ATE guide for over 10 years, brings her experience gained in France and abroad to Cheval Cathare. From the Corbières to the Pyrenees, she takes you to discover wild and unspoiled territories on horseback, in a spirit of adventure, sharing, and conviviality.
Program
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The Angles
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Riders are welcomed from 6pm. There will be a presentation of the horses and the ride. After a friendly meal, guests will settle in for the night in a welcoming gîte.
Day 1 -
Les Angles - Bouillouses
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Accommodation Rural hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
For this first encounter with our horses, we begin a leisurely ride across the Capcir plateau. We then enter the majestic pine forests before reaching Lake Aude, where the breathtaking scenery unfolds before us. We conclude this day in the magnificent setting of Lake Bouillouses. Overnight stay at the Bones Hores mountain refuge-hotel.
Day 2 -
Bouillouses - Béna
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the morning, in front of the hotel, herds of cows and horses graze freely on the vast expanses of the Bones Hores. This place, a true sanctuary for mountain livestock, seems to be the nightly meeting point for the animals of the surrounding area. We continue our journey towards Cerdagne, a remote region that has preserved the authenticity of its villages and hamlets with their timeless charm. We will spend the night in one of these picturesque hamlets, in Béna, where you'll find both bed and breakfast accommodations and a Mérens horse farm.
Day 3 -
Béna - Porté Puymorens
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Spectacular changes in elevation and breathtaking panoramas unfold before us. From the heights, the Andorran and Spanish mountains seem so close, almost within reach. After a beautiful ride through the summer pastures, these high-altitude meadows bathed in sunlight, we reach our destination for the night: a gîte in Porté-Puymorens, where we will be welcomed by Nathalie, a breeder of Mérens horses.
Day 4 -
Porté Puymorens - Camporells
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
From the Puymorens Pass, we head towards the vast Lanoux Lake, a stunningly beautiful, rocky jewel. We continue our journey towards the Porteille de la Grave, an open valley that leads us to the Camporells ponds. We spend the night at the staffed refuge, an exceptional place where the harmony between nature, tranquility, and the magic of the setting creates an unforgettable atmosphere.
Day 5 -
Camporells - Espousouille
- Transportation Car - 15h - 11km
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We take the "Mountagnette" pass, then the Galbe valley, to reach Formiguères and Matemale in the mid-afternoon. This final stage marks our return to civilization, after a week of perfect communion with nature and unforgettable discoveries.
Day 6 -
Espousouille
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Breakfast followed by the end of this magnificent adventure. Departure of the riders.
Day 7
Note
This program is provided for informational purposes only. The itinerary and stages may be adapted according to weather conditions, trail conditions, or any other constraints encountered on the ground. These adjustments are made to best ensure the safety and well-being of the riders and horses.
The times spent on horseback are also given as a guide.
Accommodation
Access
A transfer to and from Perpignan train station can be arranged on Sunday for your arrival and Saturday for your departure. Please contact us to find out the transfer times and arrange your pick-up.
For riders coming with their own vehicle, a transfer of approximately 20 minutes is planned on Friday evening to collect the vehicles left at the starting point of the ride.
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- The hike will be led by a qualified ATE guide.
- The provision of the horse and its equipment for the entire duration of the ride
- Accommodation from Sunday evening to Saturday morning, in gîtes, bed and breakfasts, mountain huts/hotels and staffed mountain huts depending on the stage
- Meals included during your stay, from Sunday dinner to Saturday breakfast
- The Friday evening transfer to collect the vehicles at the starting point
- Luggage transport between accommodations when provided for during the stage
Please note: during the leg to Camporells, no luggage transfer is possible. You must carry only the bare essentials for the night in your horse's saddlebags.
The price does not include
- Transportation to the meeting point and from the departure point at the end of the stay
- Personal expenses
- Drinks and snacks outside of meals
- Personal insurance, particularly individual accident insurance for riders
- Any service or benefit not mentioned in the "What's included" section
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- On request: large rain poncho, water bottle, sleeping bag liner
Equipment to bring
- A riding helmet (mandatory)
- One or more water bottles to carry 2L of water
- A sleeping bag (comfort rating 10°C) - for mountain hikes: comfort rating 0°C to +5°C; a sleeping bag liner is also comfortable inside sleeping bags.
- A pocket knife
- A phone charger
- A headlamp
- Toiletries (and towel)
- Earplugs for nights in dormitories
- Personal pharmacy
Clothing to bring
- A cap or hat for the sun
- A waterproof rain jacket covering the thighs
- Waterproof overtrousers
- A pair of waterproof walking shoes with chaps or mini-chaps (riding boots not recommended)
- Riding breeches or comfortable jeans-type trousers
- A scarf or shawl for the neck or face
- A pair of high-protection sunglasses
- Cotton or technical quick-drying t-shirts + long-sleeved shirts
- A lightweight fleece + a warm fleece or equivalent
- A spare pair of trousers
- A swimsuit (optional for "wild showers")
- A pair of sneakers or light shoes for the evening
- Several pairs of socks
- A pair of gloves (sun, cold, friction)
The Floriane team
Our local expert offers multi-day horseback riding tours of 2 to 7 days, from mid-April to the end of October, in small groups of no more than 10 riders. From the Cathar Corbières to the Catalan Pyrenees, he invites you to embark on an adventure on sure-footed, spirited horses, through wild landscapes and exceptional heritage.
