High-end Hotels | Guided Runs | Mindfulness | Spa + Massage | Gourmet Spanish Tapas | Medieval Villages
Join us for an amazing week of wellness, wisdom (and wine!) as we run along the Mediterranean Sea in the Costa Brava region of Catalonia. If you’ve never considered trail running in Spain, then picture this: running from historic village to village in the warm sun, while a refreshing sea breeze keeps you cool.
Staring from the ancient walled city of Girona, we’ll explore one of Spain’s most beautiful regions on foot in a way that leaves you plenty of time to tune in to what drives you in running and in life. This is your opportunity to indulge in what feeds your soul: travel, adventure, fun, mindfulness and great food. You’ll explore Medieval villages, castles and learn about this region’s rich, multicultural history and cap the week soaking in serene, mineral-rich pools inside an 2,000-year old Roman bathhouse.
Through our practical running form clinics, mindful movement and free time for quiet contemplation, you’ll stop the energy drains and divert your energy back into your running. Immerse yourself in the powerful healing energy of this vibrant, historic coastal landscape as you run scenic trails at a pace that is playful, relaxed and social.
Participant Photos + Testimonials
Start Planning Your Retreat
Mediterranean Mindful Running Retreat- Six nights’ accommodation in luxury boutique hotels
- Daily buffet breakfasts
- Three-course Gourmet dinners (including wine)
- Two-hour spa experience at Aqua Banys Romans
- Authentic Paella lunch in Pals
- Lunch at Sant Pere de Rhodes Monastery
- Professional running guides
- Dedicated Retreat Leader
- Ground transportation
- Luggage transfers between hotels
- Mindful Running Clinics
- Run Wild Retreats gift bag
⚠️ Covid Health + Safety Protocols are in place. Read about them here.
Deposit: $900
Balance Payment Deadline: 120 days before retreat begins
Max Group Size: 13 women
Shared Room Package (per person): $4,595
Private Room Package (per person): $5,095
*Shared room packages have two beds. Solo travelers may choose this option and will be paired with another retreat participant.
If traveling with a friend, you may list your friend as your preferred roommate on your Retreat Participant Intake Form.
You may customize your retreat package with various add-on services.
😊 Special booking terms and conditions are in effect, which you can read about here.
This retreat is rated Level II. We recommend that you be comfortable running at least 8 miles on the road. The footing on these trails is rocky and challenging at times, so all runs involve some hiking sections. This retreat is suitable for you if:
- You’re comfortable running/hiking six days in a row. Our shortest run (including breaks) is 90 minutes, but most are around 3 to 4 hours (including hiking sections, water breaks and photo ops).
- You’re OK with running/hiking on trails with loose dirt, rocks and some muddy sections.
- You are fit enough to handle uphill hiking sections of trail that can range from 10 minutes to 1 hour.
- You’re OK with some exposure to sea cliffs and narrow trails.
- You’re game for running in the rain (don’t worry about what to wear; we provide you with a comprehensive packing list).
- Trail running shoes and a hydration pack that can carry at least 1 Liter of water are required.
- Learn more about how we manage run pacing here: https://runwildretreats.com/about-the-run-wild-retreat-experience/levels/
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Day 1 | Girona
Our program begins at 3:00 p.m., when we gather at our hotel in Girona for our official Retreat Opening Meeting. After introductions and a retreat orientation, we’ll meet our local guide, Pablo, for a sightseeing running tour of the city that includes the historic Jewish Quarter, the medieval wall protecting the city from invaders, a magnificent cathedral and castle turrets. Then we return to the hotel, where you have plenty of time to check in and freshen up before we visit one of Girona’s gourmet restaurants for dinner at 8:30 p.m. (all dinners will be at this time, which is the earliest time restaurants open for dinner).
Time on trail: approx. 90 minutes with some stairs, cobblestone streets and secret trails and hills
Day 2 | Calella de Palafrugell
After breakfast at the hotel, we take a short drive outside the city to Les Gavarres forest, where we will begin today’s run that begins in the late morning on a soft-dirt forest trail and takes out to the spectacular stretch of rugged coastline that is Costa Brava. We’ll enjoy the cool breeze from the Mediterranean Sea as we run slowly along rocky pathways that traverse cute coves and beaches taking us to the fishing village of Palafrugell. You’ll have the afternoon free to relax before dinner. Tonight we stay at a family-run boutique hotel in Calella de Palafrugell overlooking the Mediterranean.
Time on trail: 2-3 hours (including breaks) on forest trails, sandy beach and rocky coastal pathway with some short, steep sections along sea cliffs
Day 3 | Medieval Village of Pals
After enjoying a delicious breakfast overlooking the sea, we’ll take a short drive to an historic lighthouse where we’ll have our second Natural Running Form Clinic overlooking the sea. Then we’ll begin today’s run along the enjoy stunningly beautiful along the coast line, along rocky pathways and past the village of Tamariu. You have the option to end your run here, or else continue along a forested inland trail that ends at the historic site, Begur Castle. From there, it’s a short drive to the restored medieval village of Pals, where we’ll enjoy locally made paella, Catalonia’s signature seasoned rice dish. Then we check into our rooms at El Convent, a converted medieval monastery, where we’ll enjoy some free time to savor the serene outdoor pool, before dinner in the dining room.
Time on trail: 3 – 4 hours on uphill/downhill trails (including breaks) that include rocky, rooty sections, sandy beaches and dirt trails. No part of this trail is flat, and you’ll enjoy a wide range of scenery throughout.
Day 4 | Cadequés
After breakfast at El Convent, we drive one hour to the nearby town of Roses, situated on the edge of the Parc Natural de Cap de Creus. This wild region of Costa Brava features numerous hidden coves and cliffs, forming a rugged yet beautiful landscape shaped by the elements. Today we enjoy on more runnable terrain that takes us northward, deep into the rocky terraced hills that in ancient times teemed with agriculture. While practicing mindful pacing techniques and running efficiency, we’ll run up and over a view large hills before ending our run in beautiful Cadequés. If you’re not up for today’s point-to-point run, you have the option to drive with our assistant guide to Cadequés and enjoy some free time there.
Here you’ll have the entire afternoon free to explore the village before dinner. We’ll spend the next two nights at the same hotel here in Cadequés.
Time on trail: 3 – 4 hours (including breaks) with some sustained uphills in the first half (and hiking is totally allowed!), then a long downhill run on dirt road the last 2 miles.
Day 5 | Cap de Creus Natural Park
After breakfast, we begin our run from the hotel and take a meandering route out into the Cap de Creus, aiming to reach the lighthouse (weather permitting). After enjoying a refreshment on the café patio at the lighthouse, continue on rocky trails through a unique landscape that inspired some of Salvador Dali’s famous artwork. This afternoon allows free time to lounge by the hotel pool, browse the artisan shops or visit a winery. Tonight is another outstanding dinner at a family run restaurant.
Time on trail: 2 – 4 hours (including breaks) on a mix of roads, dirt tracks and very rocky trails through sea coves. The time range represents the many variations available on this to run to shorten or extend as you feel.
Day 6 | Port de la Selva
After breakfast at the hotel, we start our final run of the retreat, a rewarding climb along a ridge overlooking the port town of Port de la Selva, situated on the north cape of Cap de Creus. Now a fishing and tourism destination, Port de la Selva has been inhabited for over a millennium, and is home to numerous archaeological remains. After our run, we’ll visit an 11-century monastery called Sant Pere de Rodes. After a self-guided tour of this impressive, beautifully restored fortification, we’ll have lunch in Port de la Selva before embarking on the 1.5-hour drive back to Girona, check into the hotel and enjoy our final dinner together.
Time on trail: 2 – 2.5 hours (including breaks) on dirt roads and forested singletrack trails on a mostly downhill route
Day 7 | Retreat Closing + Spa Day
Enjoy breakfast at your leisure at our hotel, followed by our final sharing circle before our staggered spa appointments at the Aqua Banys Romans Spa, a short walk from the hotel. Appointments will begin between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and take approximately 2.5 hours to fully enjoy spa’s pools and sauna paired with a one-hour relaxation massage. (We will do our best to book those leaving earlier in the first time slots, while those leaving later will be booked later). Any time after your spa treatment, you head to the Girona train station to take the bus or train to Barcelona downtown or the airport.
No group run today
The total run distance for this retreat will be between approximately 30 and 38 miles. Each day’s run in this itinerary is represented by time spent on the trail rather than miles run because the mileage covered will depend largely on your run pace. Faster runners will cover more mileage than slower runners on some days. These run times include breaks to enjoy the views, take photos, eat and drink. The precise route and trails run may change due to changes to trail routes, weather conditions, guide recommendations and other safety considerations.
Note that the footing on the coastal trails can be challenging at times. Your retreat leader will provide mindful running tips and techniques for managing your pace and navigating the uneven terrain. While this retreat’s mileage is low, the running is far from easy!