Barcelona to the Pyrenees

Hi David,

Don't worry much, you're overthinking it. For starters in La Garrotxa there won't be any snow in April and at El Cadí only (if anything) at the highest peaks.

Yes, there are some other great destinations in the Catalan Pyrenees too, such as Parc Nacional d'Aigüestortes i l'Estany de Sant Maurici --if you must shorten it, say "aigüestortes" (ah-ee-goo-ass-tor-tuhs)--, for a very different change of scene, the other end, by the sea, Cap de Creus, also Vall de Núria not far from Cadí... just to name a few. Have a look at Molló Parc if your kids like animals.

Google for these places, which I think your kids would love to see: Besalú, Pals, Castellfollit de la Roca, Empúries, Sant Pere de Rodes, Mina dels Bandolers, Bagà, Rupit, Tavertet, Castellar de n'Hug, La Pobla de Lillet, Mura, Hostalric, Peratallada, Santa Pau, Tossa de Mar, Espinelves, Sant Martí d'Empúries, Monells, Begur, Cadaqués ... and then see if they can fit in your route.

Some more info:

Map of roads in Catalonia
Catalonia, travelling with children
Cities, towns and villages: Escape to Catalonia and allow yourself to be captivated
The Catalan Pyrenees Culture
The Catalan Pyrenees - Map
Catalonia. Experience and Discover Art and Culture
#CatalunyaExperience #2

Enjoy!

On a different note, may I ask those educated English speakers whether I should use the word "escapade" or the word "getaway" inestead to refer to a "short trip to escape the daily routine" or to "do something out of the ordinary"? Thanks!

"Getaway" is better in that context, but we all know what you mean when you use "escapade". "Escape" would also work, but it might cause a bit of a delay in reading as the mind wonders whether it's just an expression or something is literally being escaped from.

Enric -

Thank you so very much for your thoughts and suggestions. It's a big relief to know that there will be good hiking in early April.

I'm curious though: Do you think Parc Nacional d'Aigüestortes i l'Estany de Sant Maurici is superior to La Garrotxa or El Cadí? I'm trying to figure out if it is worth the extra driving (from Barcelona) to head that way, or if it is very similar to the other places and not necessary to go the extra distance.

As far as your English question is concerned, I would use the word "getaway" over "escapade." I don't think I've ever really heard people say "escapade" before. Technically, a getaway can be for more than one day though -- a weekend getaway, for example. The word "excursion" is used for any quick trip, although it might be simpler just to say "quick trip," as well.

-David

Thank you guys, I'd be interested also to know whether there's a difference between UK English and American English :) I seem to recall (I might be wrong though) that in the UK I've often heard "escapade", but again, it might have been elsewhere.
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@David,
Find here the summary of all the Natural Parks in Catalonia (use Google Translate!): https://parcsnaturals.gencat.cat/ca/inici/

Here you have a handy guide for Aigüestortes: https://parcsnaturals.gencat.cat/web/.content/Xarxa-de-parcs/aiguestortes/El-parc/mapa-del-parc/planol-en-fr.pdf and here one for Cadí: https://parcsnaturals.gencat.cat/web/.content/Xarxa-de-parcs/Cadi/el-parc/mapa_parc/planol-en-fr.pdf

To me, Aigüestortes reminds me of a Canadian forest while Cadí is more like Switzerland. Again, this is a very subjective view, of course. Both are images of Aigüestortes and Serrà del Cadí (Pedraforca peak) respectively.

Extras that might interest you, happening in the Pyrenees (or on your way to the Pyrenees from Barcelona) and around the beginning of April:

• https://festivaljocpirineu.cat/
• https://www.vicfires.cat/mercat-del-ram-2022
• https://www.victurisme.cat/ca/que-s2019hi-pot-fer/comerc-fires-i-mercats/mercats -the weekly open-air market in Vic's main square on Saturdays: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prU5vo-U3Rk
• https://www.turismehostalric.cat/en/feast-and-festivals/medieval-festival -a bit of a detour, but still...
• https://www.penedesturisme.cat/en/activity/viart-2022-program -also, not quite in a straight route, it'll need a bit of a detour too...

Note that many festivals don't have "set dates", and depending on the calendar year, they might be celebrated "at the beginning" of April or more towards the middle of the month -and thus not suitable for your schedule. More information about festivals can be found on dates closer to when it's happening. Keep checking their websites.

Enric,
Fascinating how languages have nuances that can elude even experienced users and how words in the same language but in different countries have different meanings. Ask any British school kid what “pants” are, and they will giggle at you. Americans use the word for long trousers . Anyway, to me, “escapades” implies something a bit naughty, not seriously bad, but perhaps daring.

My American perspective is that "escapade" sounds a little naughty, as well. It's definitely not a word that gets used often over here. "Excursion" or "getaway" are better.

naughty as in "a sneaky short visit to the mistress"? LOL!

Thanks for your comments on this one, these subtleties "escape" to many of us non-natives :)

Yep, that's a good example of "escapade," Enric.

By the way, the more I'm looking at it, the more I want to go to Parc Nacional d'Aigüestortes i l'Estany de Sant Maurici. Is it likely that there will be snow or muddy paths there in early April?

I commend your enthusiasm to visit the Pyrenees, a very underrated place, but to be 100% truthful early April is probably the worst time to visit. Aiguas Tortas National Park is in the high Pyrenees and it is likely snow will still be a major issue then, not to mention it's the height of the rainy season even at lower elevations.

In Spain we have a saying - "en Abril aguas mil" which means "in April a thousand waters", which means prepare for rain especially in norther Spain. Sorry but for me I'm thinking the Pyrenees are a no go in early April. Maybe try hiking at lower elevation like closer to the Costa Brava, like the Camino de Ronda - http://www.camideronda.com/en/introduction.html

Thank you, Carlos, for this perspective. I may still head to that region, but perhaps I should plan to hike at lower elevations, in another part of Spain. This is very helpful information.

No problem :)

If you still feel compelled to visit Aiguas Tortas National Park, then I'd recommend basing yourselves in the nearby town of Vielha for several days, in the off chance you get a day or two of good weather. If the weather holds you can also check out the nearby Vall de Boí with its 1000 year old UNESCO heritage-listed churches.

Vielha is the capital of the little known region of Val d'Aran in the northwest corner of Catalonia, quite an interesting place with their own unique language Aranese and culture. Here's an excellent recent BBC article about the area - https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220117-aranese-spains-little-known-language

If there's snow (NOT guaranteed at all by early April!).... https://guiesvallfosca.com/raquetes-de-neu/raquetes-de-neu-parc-nacional/#1557390321453-7c71d836-1215114b-8ccc678b-f26df7b7-7266

This looks really fun! I'll definitely put this on my list of possible things to do. It's a real adventure, and unlike anything my kids have done before.

You know, since we've been discussing the English language, I wonder if I've accidentally miscommunicated something regarding the word "hiking." In American English, hiking can mean vastly differently things. You can hike to the top of a mountain. You can also hike through a flat valley or through the woods for a couple of hours. All of those things sound great to me, as long as beautiful views are available. I wonder if I've mistakenly given off the impression that I'm looking to scale the side of a mountain for 1,000 meters. I'm not. Haha.

I came across this blog of someone "hiking" Aigüestortes in the winter.

https://www.wildandwithout.com/2020/01/19/wild-and-without-aiguestortes-i-estany-of-saint-maurici-national-park/

This is kind of a strange experience because there's almost no snow on the ground. However, it is nice to see that they were able to walk on boardwalks in order to avoid the muddy ground. If this is a common experience, then this park might be a worthwhile destination.

Indeed the word "hiking" means different things to different people... however, I'd say that for the vast majority of those using (adopting) it in Catalan -the local language here in Catalonia- it just means "walking in the wild", not necessarily "going up high mountains", LOL!