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Catalan Ways offers an exciting and unique activity programme that combines the great outdoors, exotic and breath-taking locations with thrills, spills and adventure.
And there are so many exciting things to choose from...
For instance you just may find yourself skimming across the water in a ‘donut’ that is pulled by a speedboat or kayaking downstream on the River Ebro through an inspiring rugged wilderness: or perhaps a bicycle tour on an old converted train track through 600 metre long tunnels carved out of the mountain as you cycle through the amazing landscapes of Terra Alta. Or canyoning might be your thing, clad in a wet suit as you swim, jump and tumble down a mountain river that snakes through canyons and crystal clear pools of pure mountain water. If you like the sensation of flying through the air then there is the unforgettable experience of hooking yourself up to a matrix of high tension cables and gliding through the canopy of a Mediterranean pine forest. Or perhaps you might like to plunge into the bowels of the earth and explore the cavernous limestone caves of Benifallet. And there are, of course, more relaxed options (one actually!!) such as a gentle game of golf!! And last but not least, there is our perennially popular GPS Adventure challenge, a treasure hunt that will bring you to unexpected destinations of breathtaking beauty and cultural interest as you search for a hidden cache concealed somewhere in the Catalan hills!! Fun, games and excitement that you will remember with a smile on your face long after the holiday is over……………….
The great news is you can create your own activity pack by combining our GPS challenge with one or up to three other activities from the activities listed below. Be aware that some of the activities are only available on selected days while others are available on demand. The chart below gives you availability and duration. For more details, just click on the Activity to get a more in-depth description. The choice is yours so just book some fun!!! We would ask you to contact us before your arrival with the Activities you have chosen so we can book them in advance and avoid disappointment
Cost per adult 88 euros Cost per child 70 euros - Young children (toddlers) brought in carry-chair on the bike of adult are free. - Babies who require a bike buggy attached to adult bike is charged at 15 Euros - Children under seven brought on adult canoe are free Our GPS challenge has but one objective. To bring you to places in Catalunya that you might otherwise not see. Based on the ever-growing popularity of ‘Geo-caching’, we give you a handheld GPS unit, which you can pick up at out office in L’Ampolla. We also give you a list of clues plus a short lesson on how to operate the GPS unit. Using the route finder on the GPS and your clues, you head off on foot or in the car and follow the route to wherever it brings you. If you are driving, once you get to a certain point, you have to park and head off on a mini-hike to find a ‘cache’ or treasure trove. Once you locate it, you will find inside a visitors book to sign and the Catalan Ways GPS ‘You Made it’ calling card!! Bring us the card and we’ll give you something in return! And into the bargain, you will discover a Spain not often seen; countryside of inspiring beauty, hidden canyons, quaint rural villages and crystal clear mountain pools and beaches.
Is at once a transcendental yet exhilarating experience. Beginning in the Medieval Templar town of Miravet, you kayak downstream through a magnificent wilderness where eagles fly overhead, mountains rise on each side of the river as cormorants dive into the clear waters of the Ebro. The only sound is of gentle paddling as you move downstream. It is suitable for all ages. Those under seven can accompany their parents in an open kayak while everyone else has the option of teaming up or going solo in their own boat. The kayaks are specially designed for maximum stability and comfort. And while communing with nature is its own pleasure, there is also an amount of splashing and kayak racing as well as a speedboat that gives any kayaker the option of hitching a (fast) lift. There is a stopover for a picnic half way through. From Miravet to Benifallet is 12 kilometres or circa 3/4 hours downstream on the Ebro. When you arrive in the riverside village of Benifallet, you have the option of booking a meal in one of the most famous restaurants in the area. Hotel Pepo in Benifallet (see Restaurant Guide under Learn About the Area) is famous for its exquisitely presented roast and barbecued meats and vegetables and is well worth a visit for those who like a gourmet treat. We will give you a Catalan Ways Card which will entitle you to a complimentary bottle of wine.
Well its not actually flying but it is as close as you can get without getting into an air-plane. Imagine being up in the tree canopy on a wooden launch pad over the forest flor. You are wearing a body harness that clips onto a cable that spans the gorge. Then you push off into the blue heavens. Your senses are rushed through a whirl of excitement as you find you are whizzing effortlessly through the air, free as a bird. You skim downwards for what seems forever until you land in a series of foam mattresses and then you move onto the next launch pad and the next excursion into the world of eagles. And further down on the forest floor, there is an fun obstacle course that will keep you guessing and clambering and tight rope walking until, with a tired gasp, you say enough for one day. This is an experience that you will never forget and is suitable for children from four upwards. There are strict safety procedures and codes which guarantee excitement and security at the same time
Imagine being up in the tree canopy on a wooden launch pad and you are wearing a body harness that attaches to a high tension cable. You push off experience the freedom and excitement of whizzing effortlessly through the air, free as a bird on the wing. You skim downwards to land safely on a foam mattresses before moving onto the next launch pad and the next spin through the air. And then there is an intriguing fun obstacle course on the ground that will keep you guessing and clambering and tight rope walking until you say enough for one day. This is a wonderful activity and an experience that everyone who does it says they have to repeat!!! It is suitable for children from six upwards and there are strict safety procedures that guarantee excitement and security at the same time
This is one of the most exhilarating and scenic bicycle trips you will ever take and the even better news is that it is all down-hill. Beginning in the Medieval village of Horta De Sant Joan, it follows the route of the abandoned old railway line to Tortosa. Passing through the spectacular mountainscapes of Terra Alta, the route takes you past quaint villages, vineyards and almond groves, through railway tunnels that cut through the mountainside and over bridges that span ancient gorges and canyons. The descent does not require a guide so after a leisurely afternoon of gentle descent at your own pace, you finally arrive at Font Calda. Font Calda is quite a geological phenomenon, a series of hot springs located in the base of an impressive canyon that also has barbecue facilities. All perfect for a dip and a picnic. Again knapsacks, a picnic/barbecue, sun-glasses and sun-hats should all be brought as well as swimming togs and towels. And when you are ready, the transport van arrives and ferries you back to Horta and your departure point. It all makes for a day to remember.
As the delta is mostly flat, this makes for pleasant cycling in the sun through this Natural Park protected by UNESCO. The bicycles are hybrid 24 gear machines and the excursion has both a guide to bring you to the points of natural and historical interest while there is also motor vehicle back-up in case of punctures or break-down. The tour takes in the different lagoons and the different flora and fauna of the delta. Of particular note are the pelicans and giant cranes but there are also buzzard, cormorants, herons and wild duck and geese. Binoculars are provided on request. There are a series of elevated viewing points along the itinerary. Tandem bicycles are also available as well as carry chairs for toddlers. The duration of the route is 3/4 hours. Knapsacks, a picnic, sun-glasses and sun-hats should all be brought as well as swim wear and towels.
This is literally high-octane fun featuring a speedboat that skims over the Mediterranean. It is suitable from 10 upwards. Lasting three hours, there are multiple activities on offer and are all tailored to the age and capability of the participants. One of the most popular activities is ‘donuting’, pulled at speed in a super-sized donut shaped tube that spins over the sea and gets a little hair-raising when the donut leaps into the air as it crosses the backwash of the boat. Then there is the super smooth banana boat, a fun packed way to zip over the waves. And if you like, you can even try your hand at water skiing! All of the instructors are experienced and ensure that safety is an ever-present facet of the fun.
In Spanish it is known as Barranquismo and is a most unusual and indeed exciting way of travelling through the Natural Park of Els Ports. You don a wet-suit, sneakers and you are off on your way down a mountain river , swimming from one natural pool to the next, moving through canyons with a pencil line of blue sky overhead, through valleys where you wade and splash through a watery landscape. There are numerous opportunities to jump or dive into deep rock pools of crystalline water. There is a guide that leads the way, shows you what to do and ensures that everything is done according to strict safety standards. Maximum group size is 8 people and the minimum age is 10 and upwards.
Due to equipment and the size of group per guide, canyoning has an extra charge of 10 euros per person A peculiar way of enjoying yourself in Spain as it does not include one ray of sunshine. For groups between 4 and 10 people, the caves of Benifallet are well known in the area. There is even a ‘Fiesta’ on the first of May every year which celebrates the discovery of the caves and if you happen to be there, you get a traditional-cuisine lunch for free. The reason is that these same caves were inhabited in the Neolithic age and there are cave drawings as well as fragments of pottery all preserved and presented to the visitor. The caves themselves run under the river side village and the larger ones such as the ‘Cave of Wonders’ contain impressive examples of stalagmites and stalactites as well as ‘sodo straw’ formations and limestone ‘curtains’. This ‘subterranean’ excursion is guided by an experienced guide and takes up to three hours to complete a tour through the various caverns and under-ground pools.
Those who do it on a regular basis would agree that golf can be an exasperating sport so it seems to us that the least you should do is play the game under a blue sky with the sun beaming down. Of course if you have to bring your clubs to Spain, then you are looking at lugging what weighs a ton through at least two airports. Not so in this case. You do not have to bring your clubs because we are talking about a three hole pitch and putt course and the clubs are provided. But be aware, it is not a sad little course with nine holes all stuck together an a postage stamp. This is really a mini-sized par three 18 hole golf course. It provides challenging holes with good lengths and you will find yourself out there for two hours or more. In other words, if you are to go round in par, you really have to open up your shoulders, swing at the ball and have a good day. It is located not far from the village of L’Ampolla.
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