For mountaineering enthusiasts and alpine experts, El Berguedà is a perfectly sculpted mountainous region where adventure and tranquility go hand in hand. Just 1 and a half hours away from Barcelona, El Berguedà is the quieter alternative to the Pyrenees – no traffic or crowds, just the rolling mountains and misty horizons ahead. Look further and you could even catch a glimpse of Andorra in the distance. On Day Three of our Catalunya Experience, we meandered through the winding roads for some taste of adventure.
Trekking through Rasos de Peguera
Looming at 1,800m above sea level, Rasos de Peguera smells of fresh pine and mountain air. Getting to the peak is a journey on its own, as we meander through winding paths and itching our way higher and higher into the mountains. The town of Berga stands right at the foot of the mountains, offering affordable accommodation for hikers.
What used to be the first ski station in Catalonia is now a nature lover’s refuge, teeming with thick pine woods and trekking trails. In summer, families gather for a picnic out under the sun and a pleasant hike in the woods.
In winter, the mountains put on a different look, blanketed by white powdery snow. Families come to sled down the gentle slopes while mountaineers trek through the challenging terrains and spend the night in the shelters (refugios) scattered through the park.
Expect to have the place to yourself and don’t forget to stop to catch the stunning view at this altitude! Hikes are pleasant thanks to good weather conditions (temperatures don’t usually get lower than –9degC).
Altitude Extreme organizes trekking trips through Rasos de Peguera as well as other routes in the region. Treks vary in difficulty level ranging from basic to experts. From a short 2km hike to multi-day hikes including camping are available depending on your request. Guides are extremely skilled and knowledgeable in mountaineering and fluent in Spanish and French. For those on a budget, visit SnowTrex for cheap ski holidays.
Quadbiking in Berga
In the evening, we bid the mountains adios and headed down the slopes to the town of Berga for some fun on quads. Definitely the highlight of the trip for me, quadbiking is an awesome activity for travelers looking for some wild time. Riding through the rural fields of Berga, we climbed gentle slopes, rode through the town and got to see the area in an unconventional way.
Photo by Aaron and Georgie of Happytimeblog
Quadbiking isn’t exactly dangerous as long as you follow the rules of the instructor. With a stable structure and heavy weight, quadbikes are generally safe and easy to ride. My experience riding it was hilarious though, as I almost rode the entire quadbike up a slope, a result of not manouvering it properly. While me and Karen (from Europe a la carte blog) were dangling mid-air (ok I’m exaggerating) wandering how to prevent ourselves from topplng over, Aaron and Georgie came to our rescue! The instructor didn’t trust me to ride afterwards – but yeh I was bent on proving him wrong!
Photo by Aaron and Georgie of Happytimeblog
Here’s a video shot by Abigail from Inside the Travel Lab, as we make our way through the town. That’s me riding ahead with Karen behind.
Indomit Centre d’Aventura organizes 2-hour quadbiking trips through the rural areas of Berga. An experienced instructor will join the ride to ensure safety and give any necessary instructions along the way. Safety helmet, gloves and goggles are included. You can also try out archery and paintball here.
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Disclosure: This press trip was sponsored by the Catalunya Tourist Board as part of ‘Blogtrip 2009 – The Catalunya Experience’.
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Related Posts:
- Catalan Culinary Education
- Photoblog: Winter in Barcelona
- The Catalunya Experience
- Andalusia’s Mountainous Towns in Las Alpujarras
- Teaching English in Spain
The Quod Tour looks like major fun!
Happy New Year, Nellie! Thanks for sharing your spirited mountain adventure trip!
Great pictures!
Super post, Need to mark it on Digg
Thank you
Garretot
Adventure and more adventure. This looks like the perfect location for that family who has individuals who would like to do a range of varied activities, from the mild to the extreme.
lol of course I don't! The stunt attempt – what a way to describe our near-accident. It was hilarious, and I had a whole load of fun, thanks to you who kept us safe!
You were hell bent on proving him wrong and you did! You rode like a pro… I felt safe, except for the split second it looked like we were off down the slope.
Thanks for the link too Nellie!