Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour in Catalonia
You will meet more marmots than hikers up here. Stand on a 2,687 m (8,816 ft) summit before lunch, then eat mountain trout in a stone village by dinner.
TL;DR
Our self-guided Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour spends 8 days in Catalonia, hiking from Camprodon through Molló and Setcases to Ribes de Freser and the Vall de Núria. Six Pyrenees hiking routes, 84.6 km (53 miles) and 3,831 m (12,570 ft) of climbing, graded Moderate to Challenging. This is proper mountain hiking in one of the quietest ranges in Europe.
We book all 7 nights in 2 to 4-star hotels with breakfast, move your luggage between them, and meet you in person in Camprodon to answer any last-minute questions and give you the latest trail conditions. Every tour includes a free custom training plan (valued at €300) and WhatsApp support throughout your trip.
Price: from €1,075 per person for 2027, based on double accommodation.
Value: eight days, a hotel room of your own every night and your bags moved for you. The same kind of week in the Alps costs far more: our own Tour du Mont Blanc in private rooms is €1,649, and the Haute Route €1,949.
Season: Spanish Easter Week (March 19th to 28th, 2027), then April to November. July and August on request.
Best for: hikers who want high Pyrenean passes and summits without the crowds of the better-known trails.
“Hiking through three unique regions of the Pyrenees in just one week? Absolute highlight, we felt like we saw it all.” - Violetta
Hiking the Spanish Pyrenees in Catalonia: Tour at a Glance
| Start and finish | Ripoll to Ribes de Freser, hiking from Camprodon through Molló, Setcases and the Vall de Núria |
|---|---|
| Tour length | 8 days, 7 nights, 6 hiking days |
| Distance | 84.6 km (53 miles) on the main route, about 14 km (8.5 miles) a day |
| Total ascent / descent | 3,831 m (12,570 ft) / 4,876 m (16,000 ft) |
| Highest point | Les Borregues, 2,687 m (8,816 ft), on Day 4 |
| Difficulty | Moderate to Challenging |
| Price | From €1,075 per person in 2027, based on double accommodation |
| Accommodation | 7 nights in 2 to 4-star hotels, including 2 rural hotels, booked for you |
| Luggage | Transported between hotels, so you only carry a daypack |
| Season | Spanish Easter Week (March 19th to 28th, 2027), then April to November. July and August on request |
| Briefing | In-person welcome briefing in Camprodon |
| Support | WhatsApp support throughout your trip |
| Training | Free custom training plan (valued at €300) |
Highlights of Your Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour in Catalonia
- Climb to Les Borregues at 2,687 m (8,816 ft) on Day 4, ringed by 2,800 m (9,186 ft) peaks, with the Gulf of Roses on the horizon if the air is clear.
- Cross two high passes in one day on Day 3, Col de Fembra Morte (1,728 m / 5,669 ft) and Col de Lliens (1,864 m / 6,115 ft), with the Pyrenean peaks on one side and the wooded hills of La Garrotxa on the other.
- Ride the rack railway up to the Vall de Núria at 2,000 m (6,562 ft) and the Sanctuary of Núria, the mountain shrine where Catalan couples still ring a bell over an ancient cooking pot to ask for a child, then hike down the gorge to Queralbs with the climbing already done for you.
- Watch for golden eagles and griffon vultures over the Collada Verda, and for marmots and chamois in the high meadows. They are genuinely everywhere up there.
- Sleep in stone villages: Camprodon on the Ter, Molló with its 12th-century Romanesque church, Setcases at the head of the valley and Ribes de Freser at the end.
- Eat your way through Catalonia after every hike: mountain trout, artisanal sausages and a glass of something local, which is the correct recovery drink.
- Get the same kind of week you would get in the Alps for a lot less: eight days here is €1,075, where our 7-day Tour du Mont Blanc in private rooms is €1,649.
- Get a free personalized fitness plan built for the Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour, so those 900 m (2,953 ft) climbing days feel like the fun part.
Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour Overview: Camprodon, Setcases and the Vall de Núria
You top out on a grassy pass at 1,864 m (6,115 ft). The high Pyrenees stacked up to the west, the wooded hills of La Garrotxa rolling east toward the Mediterranean, not another hiker in sight. Then you drop into a village of stone houses where someone has been waiting all afternoon to feed you. That is Day 3.
Our self-guided Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour spends 8 days in the Catalan Pyrenees, the eastern end of the range and the warmest part of it. That climate is the reason this trip runs from Spanish Easter Week in March through to November, while the high central Pyrenees are still under snow, and it is why the trails here are green and flowering in spring and golden in October.
Over 6 hiking days you cover 84.6 km (53 miles) and 3,831 m (12,570 ft) of climbing on old shepherd paths and medieval trade routes, linking Camprodon, Molló, Setcases and Ribes de Freser. You cross high passes, traverse alpine meadows full of marmots and chamois, and on Day 4 you climb to the summit of Les Borregues at 2,687 m (8,816 ft) for a 360-degree view of the Catalan Pyrenees.
The finale is one of the best days in Spanish Pyrenees hiking. On Day 7 you take the rack railway from Ribes de Freser up to the Vall de Núria at 2,000 m (6,562 ft), a glacial bowl with no road into it. The Sanctuary of Núria waiting at the top is one of Catalonia’s most venerated mountain shrines, famous for the ancient cooking pot and bell that couples still use to ask for a child. From there you hike 10.6 km (6.6 miles) down the gorge to Queralbs with the whole valley opening up in front of you.
As Pyrenees trekking goes, this is the welcoming end of the range: the trails are marked, the villages sit close enough together that every day finishes in a proper bed, and the season runs from Spanish Easter in March to the end of November.
You will love this one if you want big mountain days in the Pyrenees without the logistics. Some days are long and the climbs are real, but nothing is technical, and Days 4 and 6 both have shorter options. We book the hotels, move your bags and meet you in person before you start. You hike.
Your Free Personalized Spanish Pyrenees Fitness Plan (€300 Value)
Every booking on this tour includes a training plan built for these Pyrenees hiking routes, your current fitness level and where you live, even if it is completely flat. Put the work in now and the climb to Les Borregues becomes the day you talk about for years.
You hike the Pyrenees. We handle the logistics.
Book your dates
Pick a start date in Spanish Easter Week or between April and November and get in touch. A 30% deposit holds your dates, and the balance is due 40 days before you hike. July and August run on request.
We book all 7 nights
Your hotels in Camprodon, Molló, Setcases and Ribes de Freser, the arrival transfer from Ripoll and every transfer on the route. We tell you when your accommodation is confirmed, so you know when it is safe to book flights.
Your route app arrives
All the GPS tracks and route notes for your 6 hikes in an offline app personalized for your trip, plus your free personalized fitness plan (€300 value).
Your in-person briefing, then you hike
Your in-person welcome briefing in Camprodon answers any last-minute questions and gives you the latest trail conditions. Then set off when you like, at your own pace, while your luggage travels ahead. WhatsApp support is there throughout your trip.
As a small company working with trusted local partners, we actually remember your name and genuinely care about your trip. Just check out our reviews: happy hikers, repeat adventurers, and rewards when you refer friends.
Self-Guided Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour With Us vs. Planning It Yourself vs. a Guided Group Tour
| DIY / Self-Planned | Guided Group Tour | Monkeys and Mountains Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation booked for you | No, you book 7 nights yourself, in 4 small mountain villages | Yes | Yes, all 7 nights |
| Luggage moved between hotels | No, you carry everything | Usually | Yes, you carry a daypack |
| Transfers on the route | You arrange the taxi to Vallter and to L’Abella yourself | Yes | Yes, including the arrival transfer from Ripoll |
| In-person briefing before you start | No | Yes | Yes, in Camprodon on Day 1 |
| Freedom to hike your own pace | Yes | No, you move with the group | Yes |
| Shorter options when your legs need a break | You work them out yourself | The group decides | Yes: shorter routes on Day 4 and Day 6 |
| Personalized fitness plan | No | Rarely | Yes, free, €300 value |
| Route planning and navigation | You research and plan it | Guide navigates for you | Offline app with GPS tracks |
| Support if something goes wrong | You are on your own | Guide present at all times | WhatsApp support throughout your trip |
| Best value for money | Cheapest, but time consuming | Most expensive | ⭐ Best value |
If you are comparing Spanish Pyrenees hiking tours, here is the short version. Planning it yourself is the cheapest option, but you will spend hours booking rooms in four small mountain villages and arranging taxis to trailheads that are not on a bus route. A guided group tour does the planning for you, but it is the most expensive option and you hike at the group’s pace. Our self-guided Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour sits in between: we book the hotels and the transfers, move your luggage, brief you in person in Camprodon, and then leave you to hike the Catalan Pyrenees at your own speed with GPS routes, a free training plan and WhatsApp support.
Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Itinerary: 8 Days and 6 Pyrenees Hiking Routes in Catalonia
Six hiking days, 84.6 km (53 miles) and 3,831 m (12,570 ft) of climbing. Tap any day to see the route, the distance and the hotel.
Make your own way to Ripoll, the historic gateway town at the foot of the valley, and we take it from there: your included transfer is waiting at the station to drive you up into the mountains to Camprodon.
Camprodon sits where the Ter and the Ritort rivers meet, and its 12th-century bridge is the photo everyone takes first. Spend the afternoon in the old center, which is generously supplied with cafes and terraces for a pre-hike coffee. Or a pre-hike vermouth. We are not counting.
In the evening you get your in-person welcome briefing, which answers any last-minute questions you have and gives you the latest trail conditions. If you arrive late, the briefing moves to the following morning.
- Accommodation: Hotel Camprodon or similar, with views over the Ritort, the mountains or the Monastery and Church of Santa Maria. You come back here on Day 5.
A gentle opening day through the Alt Garrotxa, and a good one for finding your rhythm. You climb out of Camprodon through meadows, then drop through forest and side valleys, passing farmhouses in every state from abandoned to beautifully restored.
The day ends in Molló, a small village built around a Romanesque church that has been standing since the 12th century and looks it, in the best possible way.
- Distance: 13.7 km (8.5 miles)
- Ascent / descent: 755 m (2,477 ft) / 502 m (1,647 ft)
- Hiking time: 3.5 to 4 hours
- Accommodation: Hotel Calitxo or similar, a 19th-century Catalan farmhouse in the center of Molló
This is the day the tour shows you what it is really about. A long, steady climb takes you up to the Col de Fembra Morte (1,728 m / 5,669 ft), then on to the Col de Lliens (1,864 m / 6,115 ft), which is the picnic spot of the week.
From up here you get the contrast that defines the Catalan Pyrenees: the serious peaks stacked to the west, and the soft wooded hills of La Garrotxa rolling east toward the Mediterranean. You traverse the northern flank of Puig de les Agudes and then descend into Setcases, right at the head of the valley.
- Distance: 13 km (8.1 miles)
- Ascent / descent: 781 m (2,562 ft) / 703 m (2,306 ft)
- Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours
- Accommodation: Hotel La Coma or similar, a country hotel in Setcases with a spa, heated pool, cold plunge and sauna, and Catalan cooking made with local ingredients. You stay two nights.
The big one. A short 15-minute transfer takes you to the Vallter station, and from there you climb steadily to the Coll de la Marrana, a viewpoint surrounded by peaks over 2,800 m (9,186 ft).
The trail then runs through high alpine meadows, which is the playground of marmots and chamois. They are plentiful here, and if you are lucky you will also spot a rock ptarmigan. Keep climbing and you reach the summit of Les Borregues at 2,687 m (8,816 ft), with a 360-degree view of the Catalan Pyrenees. On a clear day you can see all the way to the Gulf of Roses on the Mediterranean.
Then it is a long descent back to Setcases, your spa and a second night in the same bed.
- Distance: 13.7 km (8.5 miles)
- Ascent / descent: 906 m (2,972 ft) / 910 m (2,986 ft)
- Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours
- Accommodation: Hotel La Coma or similar, Setcases, second night
Shorter option, Setcases to the Coll de la Marrana via the Ulldeter hut: a 5-minute transfer takes you to Pla de la Molina, and the path follows the River Ter upstream to the Ulldeter mountain hut and on to the Coll de la Marrana. Instead of continuing toward the Bastiments, you turn left for the Coll de la Coma de l’Orri and descend back to Pla de la Molina, where a transfer picks you up. Distance 10.4 km (6.5 miles), ascent 1,078 m (3,537 ft), descent 1,389 m (4,557 ft).
After yesterday’s summit, this is the day your legs have been hoping for: a long, easy descent down the Ter Valley with panoramic mountain views most of the way.
You pass through La Roca, a village that appears to be hanging off the rock it is named after, then follow the river all the way back to Camprodon and the hotel you already know.
- Distance: 13.6 km (8.5 miles)
- Ascent / descent: 423 m (1,388 ft) / 745 m (2,444 ft)
- Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours
- Accommodation: Hotel Camprodon or similar, second night
Your longest day, and one of the wildest. A 10-minute transfer takes you to the mountain village of L’Abella, and from there a long, gradual climb runs up a remote valley to the Collada Verda (1,606 m / 5,269 ft).
The views back over the valley and out to the high peaks are the ones you will put on the wall. This is also prime raptor country: golden eagles and griffon vultures ride the thermals above the ridge all day. After a long but genuinely lovely hike you drop into Ribes de Freser, where you have two nights.
- Distance: 20 km (12.4 miles)
- Ascent / descent: 928 m (3,045 ft) / 1,215 m (3,986 ft)
- Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours
- Accommodation: Hotel Caçadors de Ribes or similar, Ribes de Freser, two nights
Shorter option, Sant Martí d’Ogassa to Ribes de Freser: a 45-minute transfer takes you to Sant Martí d’Ogassa, and you hike a shorter version of the same finish into Ribes de Freser. Distance 11 km (6.8 miles), ascent 486 m (1,594 ft), descent 927 m (3,041 ft).
The one day where somebody else does the climbing. In the morning you board the Núria rack railway in Ribes de Freser, a cog train that hauls you up to 2,000 m (6,562 ft) through a gorge no road reaches.
At the top the valley opens into a high glacial bowl with the Sanctuary of Núria in the middle of it, and it is worth a look before you start hiking. It is one of the great pilgrimage sites of the Catalan Pyrenees: legend says a hermit sheltered in a cave here around the year 700 and called the shepherds in by ringing a bell over his cooking pot, and couples still climb up to put their head in that pot and ring the bell to ask for a child. Then you hike the whole valley back down to the village of Queralbs, which is downhill almost the whole way, with the valley opening wider at every bend, and take the train from Queralbs to Ribes de Freser.
Want more on this valley? See our guide to hiking the Vall de Núria in the Pyrenees.
- Distance: 10.6 km (6.6 miles)
- Ascent / descent: 38 m (125 ft) / 801 m (2,628 ft)
- Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours
- Accommodation: Hotel Caçadors de Ribes or similar, Ribes de Freser, second night
- Note: the rack railway fare is not included in the tour price
Breakfast, and a moment to take in what you have just done: six days of hiking in the Spanish Pyrenees, two high passes, a 2,687 m (8,816 ft) summit and a valley that most visitors to Catalonia have never heard of.
Ribes de Freser sits on the R3 train line, so you can reach the station on foot and be in central Barcelona the same morning. If you would rather be driven, we can book a private transfer to Barcelona or Girona.
Congratulations. You have hiked the Catalan Pyrenees.
How Much Does the Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour Cost? 2027 Prices and Start Dates
TL;DR: the Monkeys and Mountains self-guided Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour starts at €1,075 per person in 2027, based on double accommodation, for April and November start dates. May and October are €1,200, Spanish Easter Week and the June and September dates are €1,250, and July and August are on request. That covers 7 nights with breakfast, every transfer on the route, your luggage moved daily, the in-person briefing, the route app and your free €300 fitness plan.
| Start dates | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Spanish Easter Week, March 19th to 28th, 2027 | €1,250 (includes the €175 high-season supplement) |
| April and November | €1,075 |
| May and October | €1,200 (includes the €125 mid-season supplement) |
| June and September | €1,250 (includes the €175 high-season supplement) |
| July and August | On request. Contact us for a quote |
| Single room supplement | €225 |
| Solo hiker | €415 in total (a €190 solo traveller fee plus the €225 single supplement) |
| Half board (dinner every night, drinks not included) | €250 per person |
| Extra nights in Camprodon or Ribes de Freser | On request, priced to your dates |
Why this is such good value: €1,075 covers eight days, seven nights in hotels with a private room, your luggage moved between them, every transfer on the route and your in-person briefing. The equivalent week in the Alps costs a lot more: our own 7-day Tour du Mont Blanc in private rooms is €1,649 and the 7-day Haute Route is €1,949, and both are a day shorter than this.
Private Transfers To and From the Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour
Optional, one way, for up to 4 people:
- Barcelona to Camprodon: €425
- Girona to Camprodon: €245
- Ribes de Freser to Barcelona: €305
- Ribes de Freser to Girona: €245
Start dates run in Spanish Easter Week (March 19th to 28th, 2027) and then from April to November, with July and August on request. Pay 30% today to hold your dates, with the balance due 40 days before you hike. If your trip straddles two rate periods, the price is worked out proportionally by the number of days in each. See our booking terms and conditions.
Book with confidence
A 30% deposit holds your dates, balance due 40 days before you hike
We book every night of your trip, and if we can’t secure your accommodation, you get a full refund
WhatsApp support from our local partners throughout your trip
Rated 4.9/5 from 187 hiker reviews
8 Days. Self-Guided. Camprodon to Ribes de Freser.
Book Your Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour Questions? Contact UsWhat’s Included on the Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour
| 8-Day Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour | |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | 7 nights in 2 to 4-star hotels, including 2 rural hotels: 2 nights in Camprodon (Hotel Camprodon), 1 in Molló (Hotel Calitxo), 2 in Setcases (Hotel La Coma) and 2 in Ribes de Freser (Hotel Caçadors de Ribes), or similar |
| Meals | 7 breakfasts. Lunches and dinners not included, though half board can be added for €250 per person |
| Luggage transfer | Included. Your bags move between hotels, so you only carry a daypack |
| Transfers | Included: the arrival transfer from Ripoll to Camprodon, and every transfer to and from a trailhead in the program (Vallter on Day 4, L’Abella on Day 6). Not included: airport transfers, the Núria rack railway on Day 7, and optional private transfers to Barcelona or Girona |
| Route notes and GPS tracks | An offline app with all the GPS tracks and route information, plus detailed notes on the trail and the cultural sites |
| Custom training plan (€300 value) | Included, free, built for this route and your current fitness |
| On-trip support | WhatsApp support throughout your trip, plus unlimited email support before you go |
| In-person briefing | You’ll get an in-person briefing in Camprodon in either English, Spanish, French or German |
| Travel insurance | Not included. Find a policy with our Adventure Travel Insurance Finder |
What’s Not Included on the Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour
- Flights, and transfers to and from the airport
- The Núria rack railway on Day 7, and the train back from Queralbs
- Lunches and dinners, unless you add half board
- Drinks
- Hotel and tourist taxes
- Travel insurance and trip cancellation insurance, including emergency evacuation and hospital care
- Anything not listed above
Best Time to Hike the Spanish Pyrenees: Month by Month
TL;DR: the best time to hike the Spanish Pyrenees in Catalonia is late spring or early autumn, roughly May to June and September to October. This is the warmest part of the Pyrenean chain, which is why our season opens for Spanish Easter Week in March and runs all the way to November, rather than the short summer window the higher central Pyrenees get. July and August are available on request.
| Month | What the hiking is like | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish Pyrenees in March | Spanish Easter Week only, and the very start of our season. Crisp, cool hiking in the valleys with the trails almost entirely to yourself. | High-season pricing, €1,250 per person, for start dates from March 19th to 28th, 2027. |
| Spanish Pyrenees in April | Our season opens. Cool, fresh hiking in the valleys, green hillsides and the quietest trails of the year. | The lowest price of the year at €1,075 per person. |
| Spanish Pyrenees in May | Long days, wildflowers in the alpine meadows and the mountains at their greenest. A favorite month for the high passes. | Mid-season pricing, €1,200 per person. |
| Spanish Pyrenees in June | Warm, long and settled. This is peak hiking season in the Catalan Pyrenees and the best chance of a clear view to the Gulf of Roses from Les Borregues. | High-season pricing, €1,250 per person. Book early. |
| Spanish Pyrenees in July and August | High summer, and hot in the valleys. Doable if you start early, and the high alpine days are glorious. | Available on request, with prices quoted to your dates. Get in touch and we will check. |
| Spanish Pyrenees in September | One of the best months of the lot: the heat eases, the light turns golden and the trails go quiet again. | High-season pricing, €1,250 per person. |
| Spanish Pyrenees in October | Fall color through La Garrotxa and the Ter Valley, cool climbing weather and very few other hikers. Traditionally the rainiest month up here, so pack a rain jacket. | Mid-season pricing, €1,200 per person. |
| Spanish Pyrenees in November | The last of the season, and the quietest. Short days and crisp mountain air. You may get some rain, but you’ll also likely have the trails all to yourself. | Back to €1,075 per person. Our season closes at the end of the month. |
| Spanish Pyrenees in winter (December to mid-March) | Winter in the high Catalan Pyrenees, with the Vallter and Núria areas given over to snow. | Our Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour doesn’t run in these months. |
Reviews of Our Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tours in Catalonia
Rated 4.9/5 from 187 hiker reviews. You can also read more client reviews on our Facebook page.
★★★★★
“Every trail was jaw-dropping, think waterfalls, glacial lakes, forested paths, and endless mountain views. And with a hiking season that stretches into spring and fall, this gem isn’t just for summer. Already planning to come back.”
- Lexi
★★★★★
“Flawless logistics, stunning scenery, and charming hotels made this trip effortless. Hiking through three unique regions of the Pyrenees in just one week? Absolute highlight, we felt like we saw it all.”
- Violetta
★★★★★
“The Pyrenees are pure magic, unforgettable trails, cozy villages, mouthwatering food, and warm, welcoming locals. If you’re looking for the perfect hiking escape, this is it.”
- Dennis
How to Get to the Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour: Trains From Barcelona to Ripoll
Arriving on Day 1: Barcelona to Ripoll, Then Camprodon
You do not need to work out mountain buses. Everything runs on the Rodalies de Catalunya (RENFE) regional network, and it is a popular line with hikers for a reason.
- Take the RENFE train from Barcelona Airport Terminal 2B, or catch it directly at Barcelona Sants downtown.
- Board the R3 line toward Puigcerdà and ride it up the valley to Ripoll.
- At Ripoll station, your included transfer is waiting to drive you to your first hotel in Camprodon. Sit back and watch the peaks get closer.
Please wait to book your flights until we have confirmed all of your accommodation.
Departing on Day 8: Ribes de Freser Back to Barcelona
Your tour finishes in Ribes de Freser, which sits on the same direct R3 line. The station is close enough to reach on foot, and the train runs south to Barcelona Sants, where you can pick up the metro for a few extra days in the city or connect straight back to Terminal 2B. If you would rather be driven, a private transfer to Barcelona is €305 and to Girona €245, for up to 4 people.
Flying In: Barcelona or Girona
Barcelona El Prat is the main airport for the Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour, and Girona is the smaller alternative, often served by budget carriers.
Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour Info: Accommodation, Luggage, Fitness and the Pyrenees Hiking Trails
Start dates run in Spanish Easter Week (March 19th to 28th, 2027) and then from April to November. July and August are available on request, with prices quoted to your dates. We also run this route as a guided hiking holiday and can put together tailor-made versions, so if the standard 8 days don’t fit, ask.
Self-guided means everything is planned but nobody is standing over you with a schedule. You hike alone, or with the people you chose to bring, at whatever pace suits you. Navigation is an offline app with all the GPS tracks and route notes, and you get an in-person briefing in Camprodon on Day 1 before you take a single step. New to this? Read our guide to self-guided hiking tours and what you actually get.
This tour is graded Moderate to Challenging. There is sustained climbing: between 423 m (1,388 ft) and 928 m (3,045 ft) of ascent on each of your five full hiking days, high passes, and a summit at 2,687 m (8,816 ft). Nothing is technical, but you should be comfortable on uneven ground and on long descents. Days 4 and 6, the two biggest climbing days, both have shorter alternatives. Your free personalized fitness plan is built for exactly this.
You follow old shepherd paths and medieval trade routes, so the trails mix wide dirt tracks with classic mountain singletrack through alpine meadows, plus rockier ground as you cross the higher passes. The footing can be uneven and the steep descents into the valleys are where most people feel it. Expect to average 2.5 to 4 km (2.5 miles) an hour depending on whether you are going up or down.
Seven nights in family-run mountain hotels, from 2 to 4-star, including 2 rural hotels, all booked for you with breakfast every morning. You stay 2 nights in Camprodon at Hotel Camprodon, 1 night in Molló at Hotel Calitxo (a 19th-century Catalan farmhouse in the village center), 2 nights in Setcases at Hotel La Coma, which has a spa with a heated pool, cold plunge and sauna, and 2 nights in Ribes de Freser at Hotel Caçadors de Ribes. Final hotel selections depend on availability at the time of booking, and alternatives in the same category, or premium upgrades, can usually be arranged. An upgrade may change the price.
Your luggage is moved between hotels for you, so you only ever carry a daypack with water, layers, lunch and a camera. Two of your stops are double nights, in Setcases and Ribes de Freser, so your bag stays put on those days too.
Breakfast is included every morning. Lunches and dinners are not, which leaves you free to pick your own, though you can add half board for €250 per person and have dinner waiting at the hotel every night (drinks not included). Mountain Catalan cooking is the real deal: trout from the rivers, artisanal sausages, slow-cooked stews and robust local wine. If you are traveling in late winter or early spring, look out for calcots, the Catalan onion feast.
The high meadows above Setcases are full of marmots and chamois, and rock ptarmigan live up there too. Over the ridges, especially on the Collada Verda on Day 6, golden eagles and griffon vultures work the thermals. Bring binoculars if you are that sort of hiker. You will use them.
This is a true high-mountain environment with rocky slopes, so bring sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support and proper traction. Trekking poles are strongly recommended, and your knees will thank you on the long descents. Add layers, sun protection and plenty of water capacity, since there is no cafe at the Coll de la Marrana.
Included: the arrival transfer from Ripoll to Camprodon, the 15-minute drive to Vallter on Day 4 and the 10-minute drive to L’Abella on Day 6. Not included: the rack railway from Ribes de Freser up to Núria on Day 7 and the train back down from Queralbs, so budget for those separately. You do not need a car at any point.
You have WhatsApp support from our local partners throughout your trip. Travel insurance is not included, so get a policy that covers mountain hiking, emergency evacuation and hospital care. Our free Adventure Travel Insurance Finder helps you compare them.
A 30% deposit is due when you book, and the balance is due 40 days before your start date. See our booking terms and conditions.
Book Your Self-Guided Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour in Catalonia
Book Your Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour With Us and You’ll Get…
- Save time and skip the hassle: we book all 7 nights across Camprodon, Molló, Setcases and Ribes de Freser, and every transfer to a trailhead that no bus goes near.
- An in-person welcome briefing: we meet you in Camprodon to answer any last-minute questions and give you the latest trail conditions.
- Designed by hikers, for hikers: built with local experts who know these Pyrenees hiking routes in every season.
- Flexible hiking options: shorter alternatives on Day 4 and Day 6, so a big day only happens if you want it to.
- Hike on your own schedule: set your own pace and hike with the people you choose.
- Prime accommodations: family-run mountain hotels, including a spa hotel in Setcases and a 19th-century farmhouse in Molló.
- Travel light: your luggage moves between hotels, so you carry a daypack.
- We’re just a message away: WhatsApp support throughout your trip.
- Your free personalized fitness plan (€300 value): built for your fitness level and these climbs.
8 Days. Self-Guided. Camprodon to Ribes de Freser.
Book Your Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour Questions? Contact UsSpanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour FAQs: How Hard It Is, What It Costs and When to Go
How many days is the Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour in Catalonia, and how far do you hike?
The Monkeys and Mountains Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour in Catalonia is 8 days long, with 6 days of hiking. On the main route you cover 84.6 km (53 miles) with 3,831 m (12,570 ft) of ascent and 4,876 m (16,000 ft) of descent. You hike from Camprodon through Molló, Setcases and the Ter Valley to Ribes de Freser, and on Day 7 you take the rack railway up to the Vall de Núria and hike down the valley to Queralbs. Daily distances run from 10.6 km (6.6 miles) to 20 km (12.4 miles).
How hard is the Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour in Catalonia?
The Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour in Catalonia is graded Moderate to Challenging by Monkeys and Mountains. There is sustained climbing: between 423 m (1,388 ft) and 928 m (3,045 ft) of ascent on each of your five full hiking days, two high passes and a summit at 2,687 m (8,816 ft). Nothing is technical, but you need sure footing on uneven ground and on long descents. Day 4 and Day 6, the two biggest days, both have shorter alternatives, and your free custom training plan (valued at €300) is built to get you ready.
Is the Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour in Catalonia good for a first multi-day hike?
The Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour in Catalonia is not the easiest first multi-day hike, because Monkeys and Mountains grades it Moderate to Challenging and you climb up to 928 m (3,045 ft) in a day on real mountain terrain. If you already hike regularly and you train for it, it is absolutely doable, and the shorter options on Day 4 and Day 6 help. If this would be your first multi-day trip, our Cinque Terre hiking tour or our Costa Brava hike are gentler places to start. Not sure? Contact us and we’ll help you decide.
When is the best time to hike the Spanish Pyrenees in Catalonia?
The best time to hike the Spanish Pyrenees in Catalonia is late spring or early autumn, roughly May to June and September to October, when the days are long and the trails are quiet. The Monkeys and Mountains season opens for Spanish Easter Week, March 19th to 28th, 2027, and then runs from April to November, which is far longer than the higher central Pyrenees allow, because this eastern corner of the range has the warmest climate in the whole Pyrenean chain. July and August are available on request.
Where do you stay on the Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour in Catalonia?
On the Monkeys and Mountains Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour in Catalonia you stay 7 nights in family-run mountain hotels from 2 to 4-star, including 2 rural hotels, with breakfast every morning. It is 2 nights in Camprodon at Hotel Camprodon, 1 night in Molló at Hotel Calitxo (a 19th-century Catalan farmhouse in the village center), 2 nights in Setcases at Hotel La Coma, which has a spa with a heated pool, cold plunge and sauna, and 2 nights in Ribes de Freser at Hotel Caçadors de Ribes. Final hotel selections depend on availability, and alternatives in the same category or premium upgrades can usually be arranged.
Is luggage transfer included on the Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour in Catalonia?
Yes, luggage transfer is included on the Monkeys and Mountains Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour in Catalonia. Your bags move between hotels for you, so you only carry a daypack. The transfers that are included are the arrival transfer from Ripoll to Camprodon on Day 1, the 15-minute drive to the Vallter station on Day 4 and the 10-minute drive to L’Abella on Day 6. The Núria rack railway on Day 7 and the train back down from Queralbs are not included.
How do you get to the start of the Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour in Catalonia?
To get to the start of the Monkeys and Mountains Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour in Catalonia, take the RENFE train from Barcelona Airport Terminal 2B (or from Barcelona Sants downtown), then the R3 line toward Puigcerdà as far as Ripoll. Your included transfer meets you at Ripoll station and drives you to Camprodon. At the end of the tour the R3 runs from Ribes de Freser straight back to Barcelona Sants. Girona is the other airport option, and private transfers can be booked from either city.
How do you navigate on the self-guided Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour in Catalonia?
You navigate on the self-guided Monkeys and Mountains Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour in Catalonia with an offline app that holds all the GPS tracks and route information, plus detailed notes on the trail and the cultural sites along it. On Day 1 in Camprodon you get an in-person briefing, in English, Spanish, French or German, and we go through the whole week with you.
What happens if something goes wrong on the Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour in Catalonia?
If something goes wrong on the Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour in Catalonia, you have WhatsApp support throughout your trip, provided through Monkeys and Mountains’ trusted local partners, so big or small, you always have someone to contact. Travel insurance is not included, so get a policy that covers mountain hiking, emergency evacuation and hospital care before you go. Our free Adventure Travel Insurance Finder helps you compare policies.
How much does the Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour cost with Monkeys and Mountains?
The Monkeys and Mountains Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour costs from €1,075 per person in 2027, based on double accommodation, for April and November start dates. May and October start dates are €1,200, June and September are €1,250, Spanish Easter Week, March 19th to 28th, 2027, is priced the same as June and September, and July and August are quoted on request. The single room supplement is €225, and a solo hiker pays €415 in total. Half board is €250 per person. A 30% deposit holds your dates and the balance is due 40 days before you hike.
Can you do the Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour solo?
Yes, you can do the Monkeys and Mountains Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour solo. Prices are per person based on double accommodation, so a solo hiker adds €415: a €190 solo traveller fee plus the €225 single room supplement, which gets you your own room every night. Everything else is identical, including the in-person briefing in Camprodon, the luggage transfers and WhatsApp support throughout your trip.
Is the Núria rack railway included on the Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour?
No, the Núria rack railway is not included in the price of the Monkeys and Mountains Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour, so budget for it separately along with the train back down from Queralbs. You use it on Day 7: the cog train climbs from Ribes de Freser through a gorge no road reaches to the Vall de Núria at 2,000 m (6,562 ft), and from there you hike 10.6 km (6.6 miles) down the valley to Queralbs. It is the one day of the tour where the climbing is done for you.
Is the Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour a small group tour?
No, the Monkeys and Mountains Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour is not a small group tour, it is self-guided. You hike only with the people you choose to bring, set off when you like and go at your own pace, using an offline app with GPS GPS tracks and route notes. We book all 7 nights, arrange every transfer on the route and move your luggage between hotels, and you get an in-person briefing in Camprodon before you start.
What are the Pyrenees hiking trails like on the Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour?
The Pyrenees hiking trails on the Monkeys and Mountains Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour are old shepherd paths and medieval trade routes, so you get a mix of wide dirt tracks, classic mountain singletrack through alpine meadows and rockier ground over the higher passes. The footing is often uneven, and the long descents into the valleys are where most hikers feel it, so sturdy boots with good ankle support and trekking poles make a real difference. Expect to average 2.5 to 4 km an hour depending on whether you are climbing or descending.
Is the Spanish Pyrenees a good alternative to the Tour du Mont Blanc?
Yes, the Spanish Pyrenees in Catalonia is one of the best alternatives to the Tour du Mont Blanc if you want high mountain days without the crowds, and it is some of the most accessible Pyrenees trekking in Spain. You get the same sort of thing that draws people to the Alps, big passes, alpine meadows, a proper summit and stone villages at the end of the day, on trails where you can hike for hours without meeting anybody. The Monkeys and Mountains tour is 8 days, graded Moderate to Challenging, and starts at €1,075 per person, and because this is the warmest part of the Pyrenees the season runs from April right through to November.
What wildlife will you see hiking the Spanish Pyrenees in Catalonia?
Hiking the Spanish Pyrenees in Catalonia you have a genuine chance of seeing marmots and chamois, which are plentiful in the high meadows above Setcases on Day 4, along with rock ptarmigan at altitude. Golden eagles and griffon vultures ride the thermals over the ridges, and the Collada Verda on Day 6 is the best place on the route to watch them. Bring binoculars.
How far in advance should you book the Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour?
Book the Monkeys and Mountains Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour as far ahead as you comfortably can, because these are small family-run hotels in villages with very few rooms between them, and June and September fill first. A 30% deposit holds your dates and the balance is due 40 days before you hike. If your dates are close, contact us anyway and we will see what we can do.
Photos From Our Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tours in Catalonia
Plan, train and explore
Spanish Pyrenees and Catalonia Planning Articles
Hiking in the Pyrenees and Spain
8 Days. Self-Guided. Camprodon to Ribes de Freser.
Book Your Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour Questions? Contact Us