We were super excited last week to be working with @merrelleu @merrell & @wearenearandfar, guiding and organising a hike into the mountains of Montseny with 15 badass hikers.
We tackled Matagalls which sits at 1697m elevation, with views of the Pyrenees behind and the Mediterranean coastline in front.
Looking forward to seeing @merrell@merrelleu , amazing new range of hiking & trail running shoes next year. They looked amazing!
#merrelleu #createyourtrail
The mountains of Alta Garrotxa, Catalonia, Pyrenees near Barcelona, one of my top places to visit when escaping the hustle and bustle of Barcelona life.
Last week we stayed at @canserolahotel , an incredible boutique hotel at the foot of the mountains and we’re now super excited to be offering Can Serola as an option of accommodation for our hiking and cycling tours.
Only open until September this year and once again open in April 2020. Get in touch if you fancy joining us for some hiking, fitness or cycling
The toasty weather of Barcelona is here and I’m already dreaming of Woolly jumpers but around the corner we’ve got the months of September, October and even November, my favourite months to visit Barcelona and enjoy our epic mountains with great weather.
In September we’re super excited to be starting our first Hike Club Barcelona for locals only, where we’ll be organising a day out in the Catalonian Mountains.
Location will be subject to weather but hopefully the infamous Pedraforca, the peak on this pic.
Everyone welcome of all fitness levels and nationalities. Get in touch if you’re keen to get involved?
Back in Alta Garrotxa Catalonian Pyrenees for a weekend guiding Rocio & Krlos from Mexico, chasing waterfalls , sleeping at Refugio de Bassegoda and an early morning hike on Sunday to the peak of Puig de Bassegoda at 1373m elevation.
A super hot weekend in Catalonia with some tough hiking along part of the GR11 trail from Sant Aniol d’aguja.
An incredible weekend where we slept outside under the stars and always finishing with some beers at Sadernes.
Amazing couple who kick ass in the gym throughout the week, to insure they can enjoy amazing experiences like this at the weekend.
Swapping these hiking legs for cycling, cruising the country paths of Girona near Begur with team @apex.management from Chamonix.
The area around Begur is a great location to holiday if you’re up for some beach time and adventure.
Right on the Mediterranean with beautiful beaches like Platja Sa Tuna and many more on your doorstep.
On the Cami de Ronda hiking trail, where you can hike along the coast discovering little fishing villages like Llafranc and Calella de Palafrugell or more stunning turquoise blue Calas .
Next to some of the best cycling in Europe where you can tackle climbs like Els Angels next to Girona.
Incredible place to adventure and combine with some much needed beach time.
#onelifecycle
A long weekend in the camper discovering hiking trails around this beaut Pedraforca, in the Pre-Pyrenees, within the Cadi-Moixero Natural Park.
Was blown away by this mountain which has an elevation of 2506.4m with two iconic fork shaped peaks, more noticeable from the other side.
No summit at the weekend 🙁 but will be stomping this in a couple of weeks time.
Always in need of some company, so if you’re visiting or living in Barcelona and fancy joining me, please let me know?
#onelifehikeit
An incredible long weekend on our first Refuge to Refuge Hiking tour with my brothers of another mother, in Alta Garrotxa, Pyrenees.
Like the boys said - it’s something you always talk about doing but just never get the chance. Busy with work or the daily routine.
Great effort from everyone and inspires you to further more, grasp life by the scruff and love it to the max. Once in a lifetime experiences.
Fancy a long weekend hiking in the Pyrenees? Get in touch.
Mont-Rebei Gorge is approximately 2 hrs 45 min from Barcelona by car where you’ll find it nestled on the border of Aragon and Catalonia where the gorge forms the border. It’s a bit of a drive from Barcelona but definitely worth the trip and there’s always an option to spend the night at one on the mountain refuges there. We were lucky enough to have our van/campervan, where we slept for the night, but if you were keen to stay somewhere for the night, would recommend a small hostel called Alberg de Montfalcó http://www.alberguemontfalco.com/el-albergue . It’s situated at the start of the gorge and is the prefect location, with stunning views.
We started the hike from a parking area called Moll de Corcá, where we had organised with a company to rent canoes once we hiked to the end of the gorge. There’s a few companies to choose from and different options, but we decided to hike from the start to the end of the gorge and return on a canoe along the river. The company also gave us a small boat ride to the other side of the lake, where we started the hike.
Once we were dropped off by the boat we started with a climb above the West side of the lake, where you’ll have some great views of the lake behind. At the top of the climb approximately 3 km you’ll find a hostel, where we stopped for a quick drink and chat to other hikers in the area.
Passing the hostel we continued the hike down through a small forest until it opened up alongside the river, where the views begin to get stunning. Along the river you’ll be faced with incredible laddered stairs on the cliffs in excess of 500m in height on the cliff above. Perfectly safe but if you’re scared of heights, get ready to conquer your fears.
Once up and over the laddered stairs you’ll descend down and over a small bridge crossing the river. The path will then begin to traverse on the other side of the river and it’s when the hike really starts to get incredible. The path leads into trails cut into cliff, with shear drops to the side into the river and the cliffs thundering above - it’s breathtaking. You’ll see people on canoes paddling below and there’s ample locations for some beautiful pictures. Probably the best bit of the hike.
Follow the trail along until it opens up and once again you’ll cross another small bridge, where your canoe will be awaiting for you. Lot’s of options to consider, where you can either hike back the way you came, take a boat ride back to the start or if you’re feeling up to it, jump on a Canadian canoe and paddle the 7km back to the start. Be warned the wind tends to pick up in the afternoon, so be careful to check conditions before you start or you’ll be faced with a strenuous long paddle back.
For us the Canoe was definitely worth it and gives you a completely different perspective of the gorge. We firstly paddled through the steep sided gorge, until it opened up and it’s then, we decided to park up on the waters edge and take a well earned swim in the water. The water was the perfect temperature to cool off and get a bite to eat before paddling our way home to the start.
Once we had finished the canoe it was time for a well earned beer and barbecue by the lake watching the sunset, next to the van. There was a few other camper vans parked up and a perfect location, minus the mosquitoes.
The hike in total is approximately 10km with a 7km return canoe. The hike itself is a moderate level and most people with an average level of fitness should be ok, but you need to be reasonably fit for the return canoe. Especially if the wind picks up in the afternoon.
The company we used was called Ager Aventura and the trip was: https://ageraventurat.com/kayak-congost-montrebei-montrebei-aragon-ruta-senderisme-embarcadero-masana-parquing .
An amazing day in nature and was a perfect stop over before we headed to the Basque Country for some surfing.
Please note I also offer Private Guided Hikes to Mont-rebei Gorge, so please get in touch and we can guide you around the mountain to suit your fitness levels.
Discover how to hike Montserrat Mountain. Only 1 hr from Barcelona, Montserrat Mountain is one of the most iconic places to visit in Catalonia.
I love the winter. There's nothing better than training in the cold, crisp December air, knowing that you are keeping your body healthy through the winter months. Swimming in London Fields Lido is possible all year round and I like to mix up my training for clients as much as possible. It's the wrong time of the year though for Wild Swimming, which I did lots of over the summer of 2014. Want to read more about one of the swims I did? My friend Lucy took me exploring round the coastline of Wales and she tells the story of our adventure here.
That's what fitness and getting active is all about.
Indulge in a lavish self-guided walking holiday through Spain, discovering renowned medieval towns. Traverse the Coastal Chic route, indulging in a two-night stay at a distinguished hotel boasting a Michelin-starred restaurant. Wrap up your extravagant escapade at Mas de Torrent Hotel & Spa in Empordà's wine region, where opulent five-star luxury harmonizes with breathtaking serenity.