practical advice
The Ruta dels Indiketes is a 476 km route through the Empordà that can be done by anyone on their own and at any time of the year in the hiking or mountain bike mode.
The Ruta dels Indiketes makes available the route of the complete route in GPX format. In the hiking modality, 22 stages (of 20-30 km) are suggested, beginning and ending in towns that have various tourist accommodations for the night.
Of course, it is not necessary to do the route following these proposed stages and any user can start the route at any place and certainly if you do the route by bicycle you will need fewer stages to complete the tour.
ACCOMMODATION
In the Stages section (at the end of each stage) you will find a list of the different hostels, guesthouses, inns and hotels available in each village along the route.
However, Ruta dels Indiketes has signed an agreement with a travel agency that has a wide variety of collaborating accommodation along the route: guesthouses and hostels, flats, agritourism, hotels of different categories and rural accommodation. All of them have the appropriate services to meet the needs of the activity of the Indiketes Route, and are guaranteed by the experience of the regular treatment of countless participants.
The different types of accommodation fall into two general categories, "Standard" and "Comfort", depending on the price and services offered. Standard" accommodations are flats, aparthotels, hostels and hotels up to 3 stars, while "Comfort" accommodations are flats, aparthotels, agritourism, rural hotels and hotels with 3 stars or more.
If you want to take advantage of this service, go to RESERVATIONS.
Doing the 476 km of the Ruta dels Indiketes is not easy and you need to have a minimum of preparation, but if you follow the advice we give you, you will manage it:
1.- Before you start, exercise for 2 or 3 days carrying the weight of the backpack you are going to carry. This will be useful as a physical exercise to tone your muscles and to determine exactly what equipment and clothing you will be carrying (the less weight the better).
2.- Here we propose a possible list of the material to carry. Remember that in case you don't want to carry your backpack, Ruta dels Indiketes offers you a luggage transport service between accommodations. Also remember that this route is not a crossing of an African desert and each day you will spend the night in villages that have a minimum of services:
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30/40 litre backpack
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Sleeping bag
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Boots
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Trainers or hiking sandals (for breaks)
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2 T-shirts (you can wash your clothes in the place where you stay)
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Jersey
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Fluorescent armband (in case night falls without arriving at the destination)
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Head torch
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Trousers with zips (in case of hot or cold weather)
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Reserve sports trousers
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Waterproof or oilskin
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Underwear - 3 pieces (can be washed as you go along)
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Cotton socks in summer and/or woollen socks in winter
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Sun hat
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Fleece collars or balaclavas in winter
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Sunglasses (and regular glasses for those who need them)
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Backpack protector (to be used in case of rain)
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Small first-aid kit (take only one if you are several people)
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Towel
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Personal hygiene kit (toothbrush, soap, etc.)
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Sunscreen
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Vaseline gel
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Earplugs (for sleeping in hostels and not hearing snoring)
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Set with needle and thread for sewing
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Usual medicines (vitamins, muscle pain pills, etc.)
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Multi-purpose knife
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Folding cutlery set (spoon, fork, etc.)
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Camera + battery charger + memory card
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Video camera
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Mobile phone + charger
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Lighter
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A small binocular
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Pepper spray (for safety) and/or whistle
3.- To avoid blisters on your feet, it is very useful to make a military stop (5 minutes) every 7 kilometres or so, take off your socks and leave your feet in the open air for this time.
Wear suitable footwear: hiking boots or trainers with good soles and cushioning. And adjust your clothing to the weather conditions by dressing in layers, like an onion.
5.- Remember that as in any long-distance route, the first 3 stages are the most difficult, then the body and mind adapt and walking becomes easy.
6.- Always carry water, in summer a 1.5 litre bottle for 2 people. Nuts and fresh fruit also help to replenish the body's minerals.
7.- It is advisable to carry a change of clothes and a change of clothes in a waterproof bag so that they do not get wet if it rains.
8.- Always be careful. Remember that the Ruta dels Indiketes is done with your head (your feet or your bicycle are only your companion).
9.- Be cautious on descents, do not overestimate them. Bear in mind that accidents tend to happen more on the way down than on the way up.
10.- If you go in a group, bear in mind that its strength lies in the weakest of its members. You have to help and give confidence to the least prepared person.
CREDENTIAL
If you want to have the official credential of the Ruta dels Indiketes that you will stamp along the route, you can get it at the following link: