Overview
During this five day trip you’ll be based in a lovely hotel in Girona. From here we’ll go on several guided day rides into the mountains and to the sea. You’ll experience the very best that this cycling mecca has to offer and ride along roads that professional teams pedal each year. As a base, the vibrant and beautiful town of Girona has it all – sunshine, great food and coffee, incredible architecture, and friendly locals…a cyclist’s dream really!
Highlights
- Wandering through the brightly painted facades in the old town of Girona
- Cycle along roads used by world champion cyclists
- Sample well-deserved coffee and cake at the fabulous cycling cafe’s of Girona
- A sweeping descent to the sea at Tossa de Mar
- Perfect tarmac above dramatic red cliffs and crystal clear turquoise sea of the Costa Brava
- Massage time at Aqus Banys Romans, a spa housed in an ancient hospital in Girona
Our Star Ratings
Here is an explanation of our cycling trip grades. Please bear in mind that total ascent, wind, rain and general riding conditions can play as important factors as the daily distances involved. Whilst we have stated some example distances, the overall difficulty assigned to each trip will encompass a range of these factors. If you are at all unsure of whether you think the trip is suitable, please contact us.
Easy: Suitable for those new to cycling seeking an introductory and very relaxed yet active experience on two wheels. Easy riding on short, flat and/or gently undulating routes. Approx 20 – 40 miles a day
Relaxed: Undulating terrain with occasional minor undulations for semi-regular novices who wish to develop fitness and ability. May include a few short steep climbs. Approx 40 – 50 miles a day
Moderate: Designed for cyclists with a good level of riding experience and fitness, and are comfortable riding for full days in the saddle. Routes will include some steep and/or sustained climbs. Not for those completely new to cycling. Approx 50 – 80 miles a day
Challenging: Routes with multiple steep and sustained climbs and technical descents and/or long distances. Riders need to be have a high level of fitness and stamina in addition to experience in riding over extended distances and/or tackling long ascents and descents. Approx 70 – 110 miles a day
Advanced: Designed for experienced cyclists with an excellent level of fitness and stamina. Routes are consistently long with multiple serious and steep ascents and descents throughout. High altitude ascents may be undertaken followed by technically demanding descents. Approx 80 – 120 miles a day
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Barcelona, transfer to Girona, warmup loop
You will be met by the More Adventure team at Barcelona Airport where you’ll be transferred with your bike and luggage to Girona. Here we’ll assemble bikes (or if you’ve hired a bike visit the hire shop to collect), get changed into cycling gear and begin our trip with a short loop either to the Banyoles Lake or the Vall de Llémana. This is a good opportunity to get a feel for the area, acclimatise to the weather and begin to understand why Girona is a cycling mecca.
Day 2: Els Àngels Circuit ride
(71km & 1080m ascent)
After breakfast in our hotel, we’ll begin with a classic of Girona – the Els Àngels Circuit. This fabulous route is the perfect introduction into the climbs of the area, made famous by Lance Armstrong who dubbed it the perfect short high-intensity ride. We’ll be taking a rather more leisurely pace, taking time to soak up the peaceful rolling roads, medieval villages and stunning views. The route heads east from Girona and begins to climb 3km from the town. The first summit of the day is Santuari dels Àngels, a chapel where Salvador Dali got married. From the lookout there are views in all directions from the coast to the Pyrenees. An epic descent then leads to the small village of Monells. A further 8km leads to Santa Pellaia at the bottom of the second climb, a gentle ascent through dense forest which averages 3.4%. After another exhilarating descent it’s a relatively flat return to Girona passing through the pretty villages of Sant Andreu and Fornells de la Selva.
Day 3: Costa Brava Coastline loop via Sant Grau
(95km & 1230m ascent)
Experiencing the epic coastline of the Costa Brava is an absolute must whilst visiting Girona. With perfect tarmac above dramatic red cliffs and crystal clear turquoise sea, it wows even the most seasoned cyclist. We head south from Girona along quiet country lanes to Llagostera before heading southwest into the mountains on our first climb of the day. A dazzling descent then leads to Tossa de Mar where our route reaches the sea. Here we’ll most certainly stop for coffee, cake and to admire the silky shoreline of the Costa Brava. We’ll then ride northeast along the stunning coastal road above sandy beaches and crystal seas before the turn off to Sant Grau, our main climb of the day. With an average of 5%, the 6.3km climb is relatively painless but with a tough final few hundred metres. The views of the ocean throughout are absolutely breathtaking! At the top we’ll stop for refreshment in the unique restaurant housed in the Sant Grau monastery. From the top we descend 10km back down to Llagostera to rejoin our initial ride out back to Girona.
Day 4: Rocacorba climb or Cabanelles loop (with optional Mare de Déu ascent)
We have a few options for our final day’s ride. Option 1 is to tackle Girona’s most famous climb, Rocacorba. It has been used for two decades as a training climb for countless professional riders in their efforts to conquer it in sub 30-minutes, an impressive feat for even the hardiest of cyclists. From Girona it’s an 80km out-and-back ride with an elevation gain of 1160m and comes with a great deal of bragging rights! Alternatively, we could head out north to Cabanelles and back on a 76km ride, a leisurely loop through the rural landscape north of the town. For the keenest of riders we could tag on a cheeky ascent of Mare de Déu, one of the hardest climbs in the area – 18km with an average of 5.4% up to a max of 14%!
Day 5: Girona – Barcelona airport
This morning you will be transferred to Barcelona airport for your flight home with your bicycle and luggage. Here the trip ends and we say our farewells.
Map
Includes
- Cycle guide
- Support driver/bicycle mechanic
- 4 x night’s hotel accommodation (twin sharing)
- 4 x breakfasts
- Transfer from/to Barcelona Airport/Girona
- All luggage transported during your trip
- GPX files of the route
FAQs
Can we hire bicycles for this trip?
Yes, bicycles are available at a number of hire shops in Girona. We can help with organising this.
Where will bicycles be stored overnight?
Bicycles will be stored in a locked, secure area in the hotel.
How much are flights to Barcelona?
Return flights from London to Barcelona cost between £80 - £150 depending on the time of year and how far in advance you book. If you wish to bring your bicycle with you this usually costs an additional £50 - £70 each way (unless you fly with British Airways which is free!).
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