Road-tripping the Pyrenees of Catalonia

a four-day travel itinerary

Just before Christmas, we whizzed over to Spain for a 4 day road trip across the Pyrenees of Catalonia. Tucked away in northeastern Spain along the French border, the Pyrenees of Catalonia are a paradise for nature lovers and adventurers, packed with everything from dramatic peaks and green valleys to sparkling rivers and peaceful lakes.

Travelling as a family of three, our journey took us from mountains to volcanos, woodland to wetland. This region really surprised us with its diversity, beautiful landscapes and delicious food and in this blogpost we’re going to share our full four-day travel itinerary to inspire your next adventure to the Pyrenees of Catalonia.

In partnership with Catalunya Experience and Visit Pirineus

Day One — Arriving in the Mountains

Flying into Barcelona (we flew from Manchester on a morning flight that had us arrive around 12 noon), we picked up our rental car and headed north towards the Pyrenees of Catalonia which border France. Our destination was Ribes de Freser, a charming mountain town in the heart of the Pyrenees. Known for its picturesque setting at the confluence of three rivers, Ribes de Freser is a perfect gateway to the stunning natural landscapes that surround this area.

After a bite to eat at a local restaurant, we wandered around the picturesque town which was adorned with Christmas lights and ended up at a local ‘botiga’ for a honey-tasting session. Botiga Mel Vall de Ribes use their own bees to make delicious honey with a whole variety of flavours. They also make and sell their own beauty products, beeswax wraps and candles. We came away with their delicious ‘Mel d’Or’ (Golden Honey) which is made from a concoction of honey, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, pollen and cardamon — stir one spoonful into a glass of milk and it’s supposed to have excellent healing properties when you’re feeling under the weather, especially good for little ones.

When we were thoroughly ‘honeyed-out’, we headed back to our car and made the five minute journey up the hill to our hotel, Hotel Rural-Spa Resguard dels Vents, a beautiful spa hotel with breathtaking views over the small town in the valley below and mountains that surround it. Here we relaxed in the pool, had a delicious local meal and then headed to bed ready for a busy day the next day.

Day Two — Mountain trains and historic Villages

The town of Ribes de Freser, where we were staying, is also the starting point for the famous Vall de Núria rack railway, which winds through breathtaking scenery to the high-altitude Vall de Núria sanctuary. After breakfast, that’s exactly where we headed the next morning for the 9.20am train into the heart of the mountains. The journey from Ribes de Freser to Vall de Nuría only takes around half an hour; originally an ancient roman pass and still accessible by foot, the railway was built to develop a road (which thankfully never happened) and climbs steep mountain slopes as it meanders through the deep valley, passing waterfalls, wilderness and birds of prey soaring overhead. It’s the best way to reach the remote Vall de Núria, a breathtaking alpine valley at 2,000 meters above sea level.

Once there, you’ll find the iconic Núria Sanctuary, crystal-clear lakes, skiing in winter and endless hiking trails. Your train ticket includes access to the cable cars which you can taker for a higher view point or to start your hike into the mountains. We opted to take the cable car as high as we were able to, as far as Alberg Núria Xanascat, and then walk down the hill back to the valley floor but you can read about the wide range of hiking and skiing trails on the website here. In the valley itself by the railway station there is a hotel, restaurants, a museum, church and access to all the ski slopes — including those for children.

We returned on the railway at around 11am but could easily have spent a whole day in Vall de Nuría. When we got back to our car, we drove around one hour east to the historically significant town of Comprodon, famous for its charming stone bridge, Pont Nou, which spans the Ter River. We’d recommend a meal at the Michelin star Restaurant Cal Marqués serving delicious, local food, before strolling through the cobbled streets, visiting the Romanesque monastery of Sant Pere, and enjoying the cosy vibe of the shops and cafes.

Day Three — in the land of volcanoes

Continuing our journey east along the Pyrenees of Catalonia, on the third day of our road-trip we drove 40 minutes to the Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa. We began our visit at the brand new Espai Crater museum in the town of Olot. The museum, which combines interactive exhibits, immersive audiovisuals, and guided tours, is a great starting point to explore volcanic activity and its impact on the region before heading outside the town to explore the volcanoes themselves! Just a 10 minutes drive beyond Olot, you can visit the Croscat Volcano: the youngest and highest volcano in the Iberian Peninsula. Once quarried for the basalt it held, its exposed interior reveals fascinating geological layers and gives an insight into how the volcano formed over time. The volcano is surrounded by a lush forest patchwork of both deciduous and evergreen trees and is a popular spot for easy hikes and learning about the region’s volcanic history.

We’d recommend lunch at the nearby Hostal dels Ossos, one of the oldest original hostels which serves up the best food in the area, followed by a wander around the La Fageda d’en Jordà beech forest; a rare low altitude beech forest that has grown on the lava flow of the Croscat Volcano. That afternoon we drove to our accommodation at the Molí de Siurana, a traditional guesthouse that greeted us with a delicious 7-course evening meal beside the fire.

Day Four — birdlife and wetland wildlife

After waking up at the gorgeous and traditional Molí de Siurana, on the last day of our trip, we spent the morning at Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, a stunning nature reserve known for its wetlands, lagoons, and rich biodiversity. The park is a haven for birdwatchers; with Flamingos, Storks and Great Egrets alongside over 300 other bird species. There are walking trails and observation points; one of which is on top of an old rice silo, giving a nod to the sites past agricultural use and offering panoramic views over the area. This is the perfect place for nature lovers seeking tranquility and wildlife in a breathtaking setting.

From here, it’s only a short drive to the coast where you can enjoy a seafood lunch and even a bit of beach-time before the journey back to Barcelona airport, which takes around 2 hours.

The Pyrenees of Catalonia truly amazed us with their stunning diversity. In just four days, we journeyed from the sparkling coastline to the towering mountains, immersing ourselves in a variety of unforgettable experiences in a cost effective way. We hiked through breathtaking alpine trails, explored a historic village steeped in charm, marvelled at the abundance of wildlife, and even walked through the interior of a dormant volcano.

Every step of the way, we felt the heartbeat of local culture—through the mouthwatering meals we tasted, the warm hospitality of the people we met, and the character-filled traditional accommodations we stayed in.

The Pyrenees left us spellbound with their natural beauty and cultural richness, proving to be a destination that’s so much more than just a mountain range. Whether you’re an adventurer, a history buff, or a foodie, this region offers something special for everyone. We’ll definitely be back!