Self catering at a quality mountain estate in the Catalonia highlands

We offer the two apartments we liked best: this one and CA19.

Property CA20 occupies the two upper floors of a very large masia, or Catalonia farmhouse, and reached up a flight of external stairs. A long, broad, covered balcony with seating runs along the façade. It gives views of the valley, forests and pool area

Your self catering accommodation is sedate in style, impressive, a considerable size, and four-bedroomed.

It's both comfortable and well-finished with decoration that includes examples of modern conceptual art. Sturdy, original 18th century stone walls are complemented by terracotta tiled floors and wood ceilings.

A country kitchen, more than adequately equipped to prepare meals for eight people, has its own balcony area.

The main room is especially spacious. Two extra-size sofas and two arm chairs are matched by a long dining table for 8 people. Internet companies don't reach this remote mountain location and we found that the mobile cover comes and goes.

From the main room you have access to the covered balcony, which is furnished for outdoor meals.

A unique spiral staircase, a wooden antique, connects the living room with the upper floor, which has a landing overlooking the downstairs area. Although the staircase can be gated across the top for children’s safety, we wouldn't suggest it for small children.

The bedrooms conserve the original character of the farmhouse, with small windows and stone walls. The furnishings and fittings are of a high standard.

The main, outdoor swimming pool is across the gardens. The view from here down a forested valley is quite unlike what you'd find at other poolsides! And there are plenty of sunloungers.

Directly above the outdoor pool is a barbecue hut and close by is a games room with table tennis, pool table and table football. Best of all is a heated (up to 28°C) indoor pool. These facilities are all available to guests at no extra charge.

Facilities that one might expect of a high category hotel without the pressure of too many guests.

The setting is a major attraction. Walking and biking here is in the pristine air of the early Pyrenees county of Berguedà, at the threshold of the some of the most famous mountains in Catalonia. The area is very sparsely populated and you can feel free to explore pretty much on your own. In the immediate area you'll see curious large scale sculptures set in place by an artist neighbour.

Small local operators offer all kinds of activities, hang gliding, canyoning and high altitude guiding. If you want to hire bicycles, they can be brought to the house. There’s even a small ski station 20 km away

Those drawn to mountains will be excited by being by the north face of the Cari range, especially formidable. Best of all is Pedraforça (2,457 m), wrapped in its own particular mystery, a legend among Spanish mountaineers.

In less than an hour you can be in Cerdanya, a spectacular high and sunny valley that borders with Andorra. Here, sub-Mediterranean woods alternate with Alpine meadows, beech forests, woodlands of red and black pine and conifer. Cerdanya is a privileged environment where outdoor sports are extensively practiced. There are trails for mountain bikes, hiking paths of various durations, cross-country or downhill skiing, golf courses, horse riding and fishing.

Of course, the locality of CA20 is specifically not built up with local shops and restaurants. There’s just a tiny village nearby (population 76) with no services. But it's only 15 minutes to Berga, mountain capital of the region, where all your shopping needs and gastronomic desires can be met.

Access is pleasantly rapid from Barcelona: motorway all the way to Berga and then 15 minutes along a good, if naturally winding, mountain road. Girona Airport may look much closer on the map, but the roads are more sinuous and the journey takes about the same time.