Natural Protected Area of the Alta Garrotxa

The Alta Garrotxa is a vast territory of chalky relief located in the eastern Pre-Pyrenees. It has an extremely abrupt orography which has allowed the preservation of a relatively remote nature and one that is rich in biological wealth. With a predominance of deep valleys surrounded by rock walls, the scenery is really spectacular. The Alta Garrotxa has also an important wealth in terms of cultural heritage, with sites, ancient rural cottages, Romanesque churches from the 11th and 12th centuries, Romanesque bridges and military buildings from remote ages. There are even remains of Neanderthal harvesters-hunters that date back 60,000.

Near 80% of the area is forest, with holm oaks in the lower and oaks in the higher altitudes. This is due to the climate of the Alta Garrotxa which is of a humid Mediterranean nature, although different altitudes, bushy valleys and slopes with different orientations mean there is a great variety of micro-climates. The Alta Garrotxa is home to numerous species, like the wild boar, the wildcat, the grey dormouse, the deer or the golden eagle, with some of them scarce in the rest of Catalonia, like the Pyrenees newt or the marten.

Since the previous century, the area has suffered, a process of depopulation and abandonment caused by the difficulties of surviving in such an environment, but that has been substituted by new arrivals thanks to activities like hiking or rural tourism.

The Trail Rocabruna day by day plan

D 1. Oix – Beget. Distance: 20Km Estimated tour time: 3 hours Altitude profile

D 2. Beget – Camprodon. Distance: 18Km Estimated tour time: 3 hours Altitude profile

D 3. Camprodon – Molló. Distance: 23Km Estimated tour time: 3 hours Altitude profile

D 4. Molló – Setcases. Distance: 25Km Estimated tour time: 4 hours Altitude profile

* Timings are completely approximate as weather, group expertise or route changes might increase or decrease them.

• How to get to the meeting point
• The group
• Logistics
• Lodging
• Meals
• Luggage

How to get to the meeting point

The meeting point for all the participants will be in Figueres; specifically at the Plaza del Sol at 08:30AM of the start day. We will then go to the starting point of the tour in our vehicle.

To get to Figueres you have different options:

By train: the train station in Figueres is about a 15min walk from the meeting point. Just let us know you’ve arrived and we’ll pick you up or, if you prefer, here are the directions to get there on foot.

By bus: the bus station in Figueres is at the same square at the train station. Just let us know you’ve arrived and we’ll pick you up or, if you prefer, here are the directions to get there on foot.

By car: junction 4 of the AP-7 motorway will take you just 5km away from Figueres. If you prefer not to use a toll route, the N-IIa road crosses the city right next to the meeting point.

By plane: the two nearest airports are Girona and Perpignan, in France. If you fly to either of those airports let us know in advance so we can pick you up and then drop you off on the last day.

The group

The group will have between 5 and 12 runners and a guide from Traiectus. The guide has a key role in a tour: he knows the trails, the logistics and everything about a trip such as this one. It is up to him to make everything run smoothly and to make the tour unforgettable. That is why it’s fundamental his directions are followed to the letter, that he is trusted and helped out in every possible way.

Although the tour will be customized to the performance of the group, most likely there will be different paces among the runners. We want everyone to enjoy the route as much as possible so we won’t force the group to permanently stay together. Every now and then, we’ll regroup at peaks, passes or key spots on the trail. This is a basic security rule which must be understood and applied so everyone can really enjoy the trail.

Logistics

Everyday, while the group is running, we’ll take care of carrying your stuff to the next hotel or rural cottage. Thus, when the tour reaches its daily end, the check-in will have already been done for you and your luggage will be ready for you so you can relax and enjoy a refreshing shower.

Accommodation

Lodging for the three nights will be in mountain hotels and rural cottages. Depending on the features of each accommodation establishment (which will vary based on the season and availability) the type of stay will be half board or room only. In the latter situation, both breakfast and dinner will be in local restaurants.

Lodging will be based on double occupancy rooms. If you’d like to stay in a single room, you can do so by adding a small fee to the tour price.

Meals

Every night we’ll have dinner together either at the hotel or at a local restaurant. Breakfast will work the same way while for lunch we’ll have a (daily) prepared pic-nic which we’ll carry in our backpacks and we’ll eat on-the-go.

If you have any special dietary requirement (if you are vegetarian, for example) or you have any allergies, let us know beforehand so we can adapt your meals according to your needs.

Luggage

Your belongings will be distributed between what you’ll carry while you’re running and what will be carried by our service vehicle.

Items while running:

Mandatory:

• Technical t-shirt – Base Layer
• Polar fleece – Middle layer
• Soft shell (Gore-Tex, Windstopper or similar) – Top layer
• Running socks
• Shorts or running tights (long/short depending on the season and personal preferences)
• (Broken in) Trail running shoes
• Survival blanket
• Hydration backpack (up to 2 liters)
• Water bottles (if not using backpack)
• Cel lphone
• Headlamp

Optional:

• Sunglasses
• Summer/winter hat
• Gloves
• Trekking poles
• A Buff or similar
• Energy bars, gel, etc

Other recommended baggage:

• Large backpack or suitcase (80-100 liter)
• Comfortable clothing to wear after running
• Flip-flops or slippers
• Toilet bag
• First-aid kit (painkiller, strips, anti-inflammatory,etc)
• Sunscreen
• Replacement laces
• Swiss knife