The Spanish Pyrenees are renowned both for their variety of wildlife but also for the myriad of activities available to the visitor. Can Cruanyes is ideally situated to take advantage of a large number of outdoor activities, from skiing to golfing whatever your tastes there’s something for you. Each season offers a new set of outdoor pursuits, we provide information on the most popular for your convenience.
Golfing
One of the most popular sports worlwide is golfing and some superb golf courses can be found on the doorstep of Can Cruanyes. On the outskirts of Girona there is Golf Girona. This golf course boasts 18 holes, par 72, covering a distance of 6,100 metres. Their phone number is 0034 972 17 16 41.
To the north east of Can Cruanyes is the Torremirona Golf course, which has 18 holes, and is a par 72. This course is about half an hours drive from the house. We also recommend Golf de Pals. For more information you can contact them by phone: 0034 972 76 18 35.
All of these golf courses offer club houses where the thirsty golfer can quench his thirst after a round of golf.
Outdoor Adventures
Visitors wishing to indulge in winter sports and experience the thrill of the pistes can avail of two ski resorts: Vallter 2000 and Vall de Nuria.
Vallter is the most convenient being only 50 minutes drive from Can Cruanyes. Val de Nuria is situated in a beautiful valley in some of the most outstanding natural scenery in the Pyrenees. This resort offers activities all year round from skiing, horse riding, water sports and walking. This resort can only be reached by a rack-and-pinion train, known as the Cremallera, the last of its kind in Catalonia. This heart stopping journey brings you through the narrow gorges of the region, often leaving you perched between a sheer drop and a percipitous rock-face hanging above you. You can visit their website or contact them by phone 0034 972 73 20 20.
For the highly adventurous there is the option of a hot-air balloon ride that will transport you over the yawning craters of the volcanic region. The organisation Vol De Coloms catering for balloon rides. They will provide you with a traditional sausage and champagne breakfast.
Other activities that can be enjoyed in this area are cycling, climbing, paragliding and much more. There is a dedicated cycling lane from Olot to the coast. Information on these activities can be found in the tourist office in Besalu or by browsing various tourist websites for the Garrotxa region.
Beaches
The visitor wishing to relax on the beach will be spoilt for choice, there are numerous beaches dotted along the coast.
The Costa Brava with its long sandy beaches is less than an hours drive from Can Cruanyes, and its resorts have everything the dedicated sun worshipper could need. St. Pedra de Pescadora beach is only 30 minutes drive from Can Cruanyes. There are also numerous small coves and beaches for those seeking a quieter day by the sea or wishing to visit a traditional seaside village. There are also plenty of water sport centres along the coast.
Walking
One of the most popular activities in this part of the world is walking and most walks are accessible to the reasonably fit unlike the Alps where a high degree of fitness is required to reach many of the peaks. As already mentioned there are a few walks that run close to Tortella and Can Cruanyes itself. A map of these walks which generally take a morning or afternoon to complete is available from the Centre d’Excursions in Besalu. Information on longer walks can be found at the tourist office in Besalu, and guided walks are also offered.
Horse-Riding
Horse riding is an activity well loved in Catalonia and can be enjoyed by the entire family. You can chose from an hour long lesson or a four day trek, whatever suits. There are a number of horse riding centres in the area form which you can shop around.
Tortella itself has a centre where your horse riding needs can be met, called Mas la Coixa, and can be contacted by phone on 00 34 972 687663.
There is also a centre in Besalu just down the road called Can Genassa. Visit their website or contact by phone at: 0034 972 590 723.
On the outskirts of Olot there is a centre that not only provides horse riding facilities but also holds horse shows regularly through out the summer. The centre is called Servei D’equitacio La Fageda and they can be contacted by phone 0034 972 68 02 55 or e-mail: equifageda@agat.es