Search

Leger Holidays · Escorted walking & rail tour

Little Trains & Walks of the Pyrenees by Rail

Eight-day walking and scenic rail tour through Spanish and French Pyrenees

Illustration of Little Trains & Walks of the Pyrenees by Rail

Leger Holidays operates this eight-day escorted walking and rail tour, departing from London and based in Roses on Spain's Costa Brava. The journey combines scenic rides on three heritage railways (the Yellow Train, Núria Valley Rack Railway, and Red Train) with guided walks through medieval towns and mountain trails in the French and Spanish Pyrenees. You spend all seven nights at a single hotel in Roses, with Days 3 through 6 devoted to themed excursions: the Yellow Train journey through the Tet Valley via dramatic viaducts; a walk around the 13th-century walled town of Villefranche and its surrounding ramparts; exploration of the medieval town of Besalú and the volcanic landscape of La Garrotxa Nature Reserve; a cable car ascent into the Núria Valley and a descent walk around the sanctuary lake; and a ride on the 100-year-old Red Train followed by a trek along the Refugee's Trail. Two free days (Days 2 and 7) allow you to relax in Roses or explore independently. Days 2 and 7 are unguided; the tour includes breakfast daily, six evening dinners, and packed lunches on Days 5 and 6.

What to know before you look closer

  • The tour returns to the same hotel in Roses for all seven nights; there is no progress through multiple destinations despite visits to different towns.
  • Day 2 and Day 7 are free time; the escorted walking programme runs on Days 3, 4, 5, and 6 only.
  • The Roses Express little road train on Day 2 is optional at extra cost and not included in the package price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Roses, Spain

    We journey aboard Eurostar from London St. Pancras International to Paris and continue by rail to Perpignan, where we are transferred by coach to our hotel near Roses on the Costa Brava; our base for the next seven nights.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Roses, Spain

    Free Time

    Enjoy a day at leisure to wander Roses' old town, relax at the hotel, or walk the beach; optional ride on the Roses Express little road train. Lunch and dinner included at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Roses, Spain

    Villefranche & The Yellow Train of the Pyrenees

    We travel by coach to Villefranche for a guided walking tour of this 13th-century walled town, then join the Yellow Train for a journey through the Pyrenees via the Pont Gisclard suspension bridge and Séjourné viaduct, alighting at Mont Louis. Town walk: easy, approx. 40 minutes, 1 mile, cobbled streets. Town-walls walk: moderate, approx. 1 hour, 2.2 miles, many steps.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Roses, Spain

    Besalú

    We travel by coach to the medieval town of Besalú, with a guided walking tour including the 12th-century fortified bridge and old Jewish quarter, then a walk into the Volcanic Zone of La Garrotxa Nature Reserve. Besalú town walk: easy, approx. 1 hour, 2 miles. Volcano walk: moderate, approx. 1.5 hours, 3 miles.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Roses, Spain

    Núria Valley Railway & the Sanctuary of Núria Walk

    We travel by coach to the Núria Valley and join the Rack Railway, climbing over 1,000 metres to Vall de Núria station, then a Cable Car and guided walk down the valley and around the lake to the Sanctuary of Núria. Nuria Valley walk: moderate, approx. 40 minutes, 1 mile. Lake walk: moderate, approx. 1 hour 20 minutes, 1.5 miles.

    Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Roses, Spain

    The Red Train of the Pyrenees & the Refugee's Trail

    We travel by coach to step aboard the Train du pays Cathare et du Fenouillèdes (the 'Little Red Train'), a 100-year-old railway line between Rivesaltes and Axat, then a guided walk along the Refugee's Trail from Coll de Lli. Moderate walk: approx. 1.5 hours, 2.5 miles, steep climb uphill.

    Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Roses, Spain

    Free Time

    Enjoy a final day at leisure to take in the Mediterranean atmosphere of Roses. Dinner is served at the hotel this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    We leave the Spanish coast behind and retrace our route to Paris, where we take the Eurostar for the return to London St. Pancras International.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: ride the Yellow Train of the Pyrenees through the Tet Valley, crossing the Pont Gisclard suspension bridge and Séjourné viaduct en route to Mont Louis.
  • Day 5Day 5: climb the Núria Valley Rack Railway over 1,000 metres to Vall de Núria station, then descend on foot around the sanctuary lake.
  • Day 6Day 6: journey on the 100-year-old Red Train (Train du pays Cathare et du Fenouillèdes) from Rivesaltes to Axat, then walk the Refugee's Trail from Coll de Lli.

Included

  • 7 nights hotel with continental breakfast
  • 6 evening meals, 1 lunch & 2 packed lunches
  • Wine and water with evening meals
  • Return Eurostar from London to Paris
  • Return TGV from Paris to Perpignan
  • Coach for station transfers and excursions
  • Services of an experienced local walking guide and Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes return Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, return TGV from Paris to Perpignan, and rides on the Yellow Train, Núria Valley Rack Railway, and Red Train. Coach transfers between your hotel and stations are also included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Leger Holidays provides a Tour Manager and an experienced local walking guide throughout the eight days.
What kind of walks should I expect?
Walks are easy to moderate. Examples include 40 minutes on cobbled streets in Villefranche, 1.5 hours around Besalú and its nearby volcanic zone, and 1.5 hours on the moderate-to-steep Refugee's Trail. You must be comfortable walking while carrying your own luggage at stations.
Where do I stay?
You stay for all seven nights at the Hotel Prestige Victoria Elit in Roses, Spain, on the Costa Brava. Breakfast is included daily, and dinner is included on six evenings (Days 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7).
How much does it cost?
From GBP 1,999 per person (approximately USD 2,670). The price includes hotel, most meals, return rail fares from London, and guided walks.
What is the activity level?
Leger Holidays rates this as Active. You will handle at least three train changes and carry luggage yourself at stations; walking distances vary from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours per day.

Similar journeys