Sea, mountains and trails: Girona and its surroundings by Gravel Bike

Introducing the gravel bike and a thrilling new cycling adventure in Catalonia, Spain.

While Girona and its surrounding landscapes have long been a haven for road cyclists, mountain bikers, and touring enthusiasts, there's a new contender on the scene: gravel biking!

Gravel biking represents a fusion of various cycling disciplines, blending the leisure exploration of touring, the technical challenges of mountain biking, and the exhilarating pursuit of elevation gain. It's a sport that celebrates the freedom of rolling along at a brisk yet comfortable pace on the road and then going off-road while enjoying diverse terrain.

Once you kick off in Girona, you follow the coastline, enjoying breathtaking views of the sea. You then venture inland through the Empordà Valley. The route features Cap de Creus, a sprawling natural park situated in the northern reaches of Empordà. Here, you can explore a tapestry of landscapes: gravel paths, double tracks, dirt, and forest paths!

This gravel bike tour beckons riders off the beaten path and into the rugged landscapes that define Catalonia's charm!

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Highlights

• Walled city of Girona
• Beautiful white sand beaches
• Ancient archeological ruins
• Ancient vineyards and olive groves
• World-renowned local gastronomy
• The artistic genius of Salvador Dalí in Cadaqués, Figueres and Púbol

Daily program

Day 1: Arrival in Girona
At check-in to your hotel, you will receive your tour documentation: detailed maps with itinerary, general map with tourist information, hotel list, luggage labels, and the map to the local bike shop where you will go to pick up your gravel bike. Be sure to look everything over carefully and have your questions prepared for the next day when you go to retrieve your bike. Our local representative will be waiting for you and will be prepared to answer any questions you may have.

Girona is the perfect place to kick off your gravel bike exploring. Known for its cycling-friendly infrastructure, with well-maintained roads and designated cycling paths, gravel bikers can easily navigate the city and its surroundings safely.

Day 2: Girona - Vall de Llémena - Girona (39 mi/63 km)
On this first day, you cycle through the picturesque inland countryside of the Llémena Valley, with its ancient farms. You navigate the Ter River crossing and proceed towards the challenging ascent of Vilanna Valley, featuring its steepest climb. Following this valley, the surrounding landscapes of the ancient volcano La Crosa are showcased. Ultimately, you return to Girona, winding through the fields near the city.

Elevation gain: +850m | 10% max gradient
Surface: 50% gravel

Day 3: Girona - St Feliu de Guixols (31 mi/50 km)
You cycle the path of ancient train rails, now transformed into a picturesque bike trail known as the Greenway. Upon reaching Llambilles, your route veers towards the expansive Girona plain, leading you through vast cornfields, rustic farmsteads, and quaint chapels like the enchanting Mare de Deu del Remei nestled between Campllong and Sant Andreu Salou.

Navigating through the pastoral landscape, you arrive at Llagostera before rejoining the Greenway, cycling to the coastal gem of Sant Feliu de Guixols. Lots of panoramic vistas as you draw closer to the sea!

Elevation gain: +360m | 5% max gradient
Surface: 90% gravel

Day 4: Sant Feliu - Torroella de Montgrí (33 mi/53 km)
This stage has two distinct parts, a very flat part at the start and finish, and a central part with a great ascent and descent. You begin the stage passing the maritime front towards Calonge then inland to start a climb of almost 6.2 miles/10 km*, to the church of Santa Coloma de Fitor. You are rewarded with a lovely descent to the medieval village of Peratallada, and on to Pals, another medieval town. Finally, passing through a flat area of fields you will reach Torroella de Montgrí.

*An alternate route is also provided if you want to avoid this strong climb.

Elevation gain: +672m | 15% max gradient
Surface: 62% gravel

Day 5: Torroella de Montgrí - Castelló d’Empúries (30 mi/48km)
After your climb yesterday, you will be glad for this fairly flat day though there is a strong climb at the beginning of the day. First, you cycle to the magnificent virgin beach at the end of the Ter Rivera and then to the port of l’Estartit. Cycling inland, you will start the day’s climb in the direction of L’Escala, before you turn off at Punta del Milà, where you can enjoy magnificent views of the Mediterranean Sea. Once in L’Escala the whole route is flat, passing through the Empordà plain until Castelló d’Empúries.

Elevation gain: +400m | 16% max gradient
Surface: 54% gravel

Day 6: Castelló - Figueres (41 mi/65 km)
This is the hardest stage, but it is all worthwhile thanks to the best views. You come to Castelló in the direction of Empuriabrava, a village with navigable canals. The great uphill of the day is a climb to the summit of Puig Alt, then a long descent that will lead you to a plain of vineyards and olive groves passing through the villages of Pau and Vilajuiga and later, through the medieval village of Peralada. Finally, crossing the fields, you arrive at Figueres.

Elevation gain: +1000m | 18% max gradient
Surface: 40% gravel

Day 7: Figueres - Girona (37 mi/59 km)
The last stage of the tour awaits. This stage is divided into two very different areas. The first one is very flat through the fields and the second part very mountainous by the Gavarres. You leave Figueres passing through fields and small villages such as Vilamalla, Siurana or Camallera. In Sant Martí Vell, you begin a climb towards the interior of the Gavarres and ascend to the sanctuary of the Angels. The descent towards the valley of Sant Daniel brings you back to Girona directly to the heart of the downtown, where you can have dinner at one of the great restaurants, a wonderful way to complete your tour.

Elevation gain: +1000m | 17% max gradient
Surface: 45% gravel

Day 8: Departure
Your tour officially ends at normal hotel check-out time.

Surface and terrain

On average, you will cycle routes that are approximately 65% gravel and 35% paved. On each day's details, you will find more information regarding surface and elevation gain.

Hotels

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.

How to get there

Tour Start and End

Nearest airport: Girona, Spain (GRO)
Nearest train station: Girona, Spain

The bus from Girona Airport to Girona city takes 25 minutes and costs €2.75. A taxi will take 25 minutes and costs approximately €30.

If you want to travel to Girona from Barcelona, there are good train options!

Dates

Prices

Included services

• 7 nights’ accommodation in a double/twin room according to booked category
• Breakfast each morning
• Luggage transfers
• Road book and maps for every day; general touristic information of the area
• Navigational app
• Service hotline assistance during the trip (daily, 8a-8p)

Bike rentals

Bikes available to rent on this tour (reserved in advance at the time of booking):

• Diverge STR Comp
  • Carbon frame
  • Alloy rims
  • Disc brakes
  • Shimano GRX gearing
• URS 01 Three
  • Carbon frame
  • Alloy rims
  • Disc brakes
  • SRAM AXS Force gearing

Bikes come equipped with:

• Helmet
• Map carrier
• Water bottle
• Basic repair kit and bike lock (one each per 2 people)

Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.
Please note that if you have not booked Bike protection, you will be asked to sign a mandatory hire agreement during the tour briefing at which time a deposit will also be taken for the bikes (Touring bike: €150 per bike, All other bikes: €350 per bike).

Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals.

Helmets:
Helmets are available on this tour. However, we recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.

Tour Company