ClardeBosc, Albanyà. Holiday Rentals & B&B

Description for B&B:

Experience the charm and beauty of a 17th century farm-house nestled in the untouched wilderness of the Girona Pyrenees. This idyllic location is a dream come true for hiking and mountain-biking enthusiasts, offering endless opportunities to explore the wild. Surrounded by miles of serene woods and absolute silence, the only lights you'll see at night are the enchanting glow of the moon and stars. Perched on a mountain pass, the house provides breathtaking views of two valleys, and with over 300 sunny days a year, you're guaranteed to enjoy plenty of sunshine.

We have two guest-rooms available for rent on the first floor of our beautifully restored home, where we also reside, as well as an independent apartment on the ground floor. The larger guest-room features a private bathroom and is furnished with a double bed and a double futon sofa-bed, while the other room offers two single beds. Our dining room, complete with a wood-burning stove, is exclusively reserved for our guests. The apartment boasts a spacious and luminous hall with high vaulted ceilings, an American kitchen, a cozy fireplace, a large dining table, and a comfortable living area with a sofa-bed. Additionally, there is a sleeping room with a double bed and a set of bunk beds, a spacious bathroom, and a charming garden terrace under stone vaults, complete with a barbecue.

Embracing a sustainable lifestyle, our house is practically self-sufficient. Our heating is provided by the central fireplace, and electricity is generated by solar panels. We take pride in making our own bread, pasta, game sausages, marmalades, and jams from our fruit trees, wild berries, and nuts. We also cultivate our own organic vegetables and raise chickens and ducks. For an authentic culinary experience, we offer half-board and full-board services, using our organic products as well as those sourced from local farmers, to prepare our specialties.

Situated in a privileged middle-mountain area, ranging from 600 to 1,500 meters above sea level, our location offers stunning panoramic views of the radiant Empordà plain stretching towards the sea. Welcome to Alta Garrotxa, a rugged and solitary middle-mountain region that boasts a diverse and contrasting landscape. Sunny slopes are adorned with Mediterranean dry forests of holly oaks, oaks, and pine trees, while shady areas are filled with lush vegetation including chestnut trees, beeches, and black poplars. Deep ravines with babbling mountain streams, gorges, cascades, alpine meadows, and sheer rock walls create a mesmerizing scenery. Historically sparsely populated, this region is scattered with remote farm-houses and Romanesque chapels perched in seemingly impossible locations. Encounter deer, wild pigs, hares, and foxes more frequently than other humans, and revel in the symphony of birdsong that fills the silence. No electricity or telephone cables, nor any asphalt disrupt the natural beauty of this vast 32,865 hectare region. Here, you can escape the stresses of daily life and immerse yourself in nature, wander through the enchanting chestnut forest, and relax on a hammock under the shade of an oak tree. Just a 15-minute drive away lies the river Muga, named after the Basque word for "border" as it marks the French-Catalan border. During the summer, indulge in the heavenly pleasure of diving into its crystal-clear natural pools of icy water. Autumn invites you to forage for mushrooms, chestnuts, figs, and blackberries, while spring offers wild strawberries, cherries, asparagus, and even more mushrooms. In winter, enjoy a lightly snow-covered landscape under a clear blue sky, without the harsh cold of higher altitudes.

We offer guided hiking and horse-back tours, providing access to some of the most breathtaking views in this region renowned for its rugged terrain. Discover the rich history of over 40 Romanesque chapels from the 10th to 12th centuries, a time when these lands were the southernmost Christian territories. The extensive network of winding trails reflects the strategic importance of this region for those who traversed the Pyrenees on foot. For serious mountain-bikers, there are several marked routes that traverse this captivating landscape.