Relleus Gent de Muntanya

Who they are

Relleus Gent de Muntanya is a guiding company in the Berguedà. The person at its head is Albert Caellas Cardona, born in Avià. He is a canyoning, hill-walking and caving guide, a kayak instructor and a technician in physical and sporting activities in the natural environment, as well as a children's and youth leisure director and a sports director. He is a member of the Escola Catalana d'Alta Muntanya and is registered in the sports professionals register under number 015226. The company is listed in the census of organisers of physical and sporting activities in the natural environment of Catalonia under number C-505 and has civil liability and accident insurance for participants. The website does not say how long they have been working. They describe themselves as mountain people who want to show it off and tell its story: the maquis, woodcutters, shepherds and charcoal burners.

What they do and where

Their offering goes far beyond water. They run canyoning in the Berguedà, the Ripollès, the Solsonès, the Alt Urgell and the Pallars: Plana Salita, for children; the Forat Negre, in Vallcebre; the Empedrats, in Bagà; the Pas de l'Escalell, in Vilada; or the Salt del Grill, the Freser and the Núria in Queralbs. They guide via ferratas such as l'Empalomar, in Vallcebre, or the Roca de la Creu, in Ribes de Freser. And they organise caving, at the Avenc del Bages or the Rotgers system, the Canalda Tibetan bridge, hiking, ascents, orienteering, archery, mushroom-picking outings in autumn and snowshoeing in winter, with hire at Rasos de Peguera. They also hire out canyoning equipment and sell packs. Published prices run from €50 to €65 per person for canyoning and via ferratas.

Hire at La Baells reservoir

At the La Vitarella estate, next to the La Baells dam and a few minutes from Berga, they hire out single, double and family kayaks, paddle boards and pedalos. The recommended season runs from June to September; it does not open in the low season. No previous experience is needed. The family kayak has no minimum age, although children always go with an adult; paddle boarding is recommended from age 8 to 10, and the pedalo is suitable from the first year of life with an adult. The price includes the boat, paddle, one approved life jacket per occupant, children's and dog life jackets at no cost, a dry bag, basic instructions and insurance. One hour costs €20 for a single kayak or paddle board, €25 for a double, €30 for a family kayak and €40 for a pedalo. Parking is free and access is adapted. They also hire out kayaks at the La Llosa del Cavall reservoir, in the Vall de Lord.

Booking and cancellation

The preferred channel is WhatsApp (614 51 88 57); they also answer by phone (650 332 913) and email ([email protected]). In July and August it is best to book early. For guided activities they ask for a 50% deposit, and the booking is only confirmed once they receive it. If you cancel in writing 48 hours or more beforehand, they refund everything; with less notice, they keep the deposit. The guide may call off an outing because of weather, water flow or avalanche risk, and then you choose another date, another activity or a refund. Each listing states the minimum age, and minors go with their mother, father or guardian, or with written authorisation. The website is in Catalan, Spanish and English.