Spain - Pyrenees & Costa Brava Running Camp
Where: Catalan Pyrenees and Costa Brava (arrival and departure: Spain, Barcelona Airport)
When: 15 - 21 September 2020
What: A week of trail running holidays from mountains to the sea
Why: Enjoy both the high Pyrenees and the secluded beaches in Costa Brava
BOOK NOWWhy Catalunya?
Spain makes it tough to choose between the imposing mountains and the beautiful clear water coast. So for this camp, we chose both. The best of each.
We’ll start our week by running at altitude. We’ll explore the Natural Parks of the Catalan Pyrenees, an immense playground with beautiful viewpoints, lakes, and forests. Our routes will take us on some of the most iconic peaks around, but also on runnable single trails where we’ll remember the joy of running in nature.
Our fuel will consist of tapas and local wine served at hundreds of years old masias, former farms or rural houses that preserve the authenticity of Catalan cuisine.
The last two camp days are reserved for the sunny Costa Brava. We’ll run along the famous Cami de Ronda, the path that goes along the coast, from one cala (small beach) to another. We’ll stop for a tan and a swim as often as we feel like.
On non running days we’ll be able to visit the historical cities of Barcelona and Girona, admiring Gaudi’s architecture work, or simply relax by the swimming pool.
We can’t wait to have you aboard this late summer running adventure!
LEARN
Running technique Nutrition workshops
RUN
From the Pyrenees to sea level
RELAX
On sandy beaches in Costa Brava
taste
Delicious tapas and local wine
enjoy
The last days of mild weather
disconnect
Favorite Secret Spots
For a trail runner living in Barcelona, life is amazing. The options of natural parks and mountains around are so many, that you can choose something different every time you go out for a run.
The time we spent living in Barcelona, constantly exploring the Pyrenees, makes it easier now to choose the best there is to see for this camp. Be prepared to run from high peaks and impressive mountain scenery, to small beaches with azure natural swimming pools.
Our accommodation
We’ll spend the first nights of our trip staying at a traditional 18th century masia that was tastefully reconditioned to the highest standards.
We’ll enjoy the swimming pool and the delicious traditional restaurant with locally sourced ingredients.
On the last two nights we’ll be staying at a beautiful villa in Costa Brava, close to the sea.
Price
- Private transfer from Barcelona El Prat Airport to the hotel (+ roundtrip ride)
- All the other daily transportation during our camp
- 6 nights accommodation (double occupancy rooms)
- Breakfasts and Dinners
- Guided Runs
- Snacks and water on the trails
- Running workshop
- Nutrition workshop
- Surprise welcome package
- Flights to Barcelona
- Sports travel insurance
- Alcoholic Drinks
*The early bird price for this all-inclusive camp is €979, available only for bookings made until 01.07.2020. The late booking price is €1099.
In order to secure your spot, you only need to make a deposit of €250.
Gallery
A glimpse of our catalan running vacation
Schedule
Our first meeting point will be at Barcelona El Prat Airport. Our private van will take us to the hotel in the mountains. After checking in and having dinner, we’ll organise a brief camp meeting to know each other and to discuss the schedule.
Today we’ll do a beautiful route in the sub Pyrenees, enjoying soft trails and fresh water springs. It will be a 20k but at a relaxed pace, like a warm-up for the next days. When we get back, we’ll have a running technique session, learning what we can do to stay injury free and run more efficiently. Later on, we’ll have dinner at the hotel.
After breakfast, we’ll have a brief meeting about the route of the day. Then, we’ll head for one of the most spectacular places in this part of the Pyrenees, climbing all the way up to over 2500 meters altitude. It will be a longer day in the mountains, but full of amazing views and fantastic trails.
Today is a rest day. After breakfast, we’ll have a nutrition workshop with Carmen, who works as a nutrition coach. Then, we’ll hop on the van and head for the sunny Costa Brava. After we checked in, we’ll have free time to relax and get ready for the next two running days.
Our route will take us on part of the Costa Brava, running from the north to the south on the famous Cami de Ronda. It will be a longer route, but at a relaxed pace and with breaks for some beach photos. After our run we’re free to lay on the beach, swim, or just enjoy the fresh seafood paella.
What better way to end the camp than a run beside the beach, from one little seaside town to another? We’ll have a shorter run, but on a really beautiful route of the same Cami de Ronda. We’ll take it easy and save some time for the beach in the afternoon.
After breakfast, it’s time for our Camp Closing Meeting. Our private van will take us back to Barcelona Airport, in time to catch our flights home.
About us
We’re those enthusiastic trail runners who left the big cities and moved to the mountains just to get to do what they love more often.
If you also forget the time when you’re in nature, love to spend quiet time on the mountains, days of adventure and running on trails, then you’re in the right spot.
Trails and Tales is the place we created to share stories from beautiful trails with you and others who share the same passion. The trail running camps we organize are also a way of sharing our favourite trails, the lessons that we’ve learned, and the passion that we have for the mountains.
Carmen has lived in Barcelona for a few years, and spent almost every weekend in the mountains, running, training, or competing in trail races. She fell in love with the diversity of the Pyrenees, with their natural beauties – lakes surrounded by high peaks, volcanic rock parks, and mountain ridges with stunning views.
Our Spain Camp routes include a curated list of the best trails and mountains she’s seen in Catalunya.
Carmen Albisteanu
Certified Nutrition Coach // Trail Runner
My two passions are trail running and traveling. By running and hiking in the mountains, I get to see so much more than the regular tourist attractions. I lived in Barcelona for a few years and the Pyrenees were one of the reasons why I chose Spain. Mountains are where I feel at home, and nature is my playground, my constant source of joy.
Andrei Tale
Mountain Runner // Adventurer
Competing and maybe even winning a race makes it a good day out there on the trails. But what makes it perfect? Living a memorable adventure that lasts forever, spending as much time you can get in nature with your friends or watching the sunset high up in the mountains late in the evening. You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
What do runners say?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
If you can handle hiking and running (at any pace) for 3-4 hours a day (breaks included), then you are definitely fit enough for this camp. We’ll also have a rest day mid week, and time to recover on the beach or by the swimming pool.
The price of this 7 day camp is 979 € until the 1st of July 2020, or 1099 € between 01.07.2020 and 14.08.2020. Your booking is secured by first making a deposit of 250 €, after which you have time until the 14th of August to pay the remaining balance. Read more about our booking confirmation and refund policy HERE.
You can contact us if you want to extend your stay after the camp is finished or if you want to arrive a few days earlier. We can help with accommodation extension, as well as with ideas of fun activities and places to visit.
We’ll focus less on pace, but the miles will add up. On our mountain running days, we’ll do our best to make it to the most beautiful routes which means running and hiking for 15-25 km/day. Then, we have a rest day followed by two days with easier and shorter runs on Cami de Ronda.
Most restaurants in Spain offer vegetarian and vegan options. But if you have any special requests or intolerances please let us know in advance.
This camp is mainly dedicated to runners. However, we can offer two spots for non running friends, with a 10% discount from the regular price (either early bird or full price, depending on the booking date). First booked, first served.
