Float on

September 3, 2017 6:05 PM

With a number of operators across Catalunya, hot air ballooning is a chance to see the region from a new perspective and discover places that are inaccessible or can’t be easily explored by land, from the peaks of the Pyrenees to the crystalline Mediterranean. In the age of Google Earth, when aerial views are no longer a novelty, there is still nothing that compares with the feeling of peace, tranquility and escape that can be experienced floating serenely hundreds of metres up—an unforgettable experience for those with a sense of adventure.

Montserrat

The finger-like rock formations of the Montserrat mountain range, Spain’s first national park, rise abruptly from the ground and disappear just as suddenly into the rolling vineyards of the surrounding Penedès region. Home to a Benedictine monastery, the 1,200-metre-high rocky outcrop has inspired many, including Gaudí, and has been an important place of pilgrimage since the 12th century. A hot air balloon ride offers a bird’s-eye view of this extraordinary geological feature.

La Garrotxa

With 40 extinct volcanoes and 20 lava flows, La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park is one of the best-preserved volcanic landscapes on the Iberian Peninsula. Rich and varied vegetation, predominantly oaks, beech and alder trees, make up the landscape surrounding these sleeping giants, which pock-mark the Earth’s surface in a range of shapes and sizes. As 98 percent of the park is private property, much of the zone cannot be explored on foot, so a balloon ride here offers a rare chance to witness the beauty of the zone and its natural colours, which are particularly rich as autumn approaches. On clear days, views can stretch as far as the Pyrenees and the sea.

Costa Brava

The beautiful rocky bays and idyllic fishing villages of the Costa Brava are popular with locals and holidaymakers alike. Full of hidden coves and inlets, it is one of the most picturesque stretches of coastline in Europe, extending 255km from Blanes to the French border. Many areas are inaccessible due to the nature of the rugged terrain, leaving sandy beaches and pebbled bays undiscovered by the casual tourist. A ballooning experience allows every twist and turn of the coastline to be observed from the sky, with the Pyrenees on the horizon.

Pyrenees

A national park since 1967, the Catalan Pyrenees, with their dramatic panoramas, steep valleys and centuries-old towns, are a spectacular sight. Ski slopes, winding trails, hilltop castles and ancient caves combine to create a mountain paradise for skiers, bikers and hikers alike. Nestled within this extensive mountain range, right on the border between Spain and France, is the Cerdanya valley. This rolling green expanse, dotted with stone villages, is a breath of fresh air between the towering giants of the surrounding Pyrenees. Soaring high above the valley in a hot air balloon enables one to grasp the enormity of the snow-capped mountains beyond.