The Gravel Tour of Girona & Costa Brava

In Girona, there’s always plenty to see and do. The city is known for its well-preserved Jewish Quarter, colorful houses along the river, and the impressive Gothic cathedral. You can wander for hours through the many small streets, steps, and squares. A walk along the city walls is definitely worth it, offering a great view over the city and even the Pyrenees. Of course, the most famous bridge in Girona, the Pont de les Peixateries Velles, is a must-see. Designed by Eiffel, it does indeed resemble the Eiffel Tower.

Tip from Thijs: Apart from wandering through the old town, my favorite spot is the ‘Jardins dels Alemanys’. This hidden green courtyard next to the old city wall is a perfect place to unwind.

On the first day, you’ll explore the inland area of the Vilanna Valley. You’ll cycle through fields, farmlands, and forests. During this initial ride, you’ll tackle a few challenging hills. Your legs will know they need to work hard from now on! You’ll also pass by the ‘de la Crosa’ volcano, where you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the surroundings. Afterward, you’ll head back toward Girona.

Heading to the coast via the hills!

You’re really starting the tour now! You quickly leave Girona behind and ride along the well-known “El Carrilet” Greenway towards Llambilles. Following various rural gravel paths through the fields, you eventually get back on the Carrilet via a detour. You then continue riding towards your hotel.

Sea, Fishing Villages, and Medieval Inland

The challenge today is not in the tail end of the route. Starting from Sant Feliu de Guíxols, you’ll first enjoy a short, flat section before embarking on a long climb of about 10 kilometers. This climb is well worth it, taking you through the western Gavarres towards the church of Santa Coloma de Fitor. This ancient church has a hidden gem—a cozy café (open Wednesday to Sunday) where you can take a break. From here, you’ll descend to Pals, passing through the beautiful village of Peratallada on the way. In Pals, you can enjoy a drink at the charming medieval village square. The rest of the ride takes you through flat gravel paths across the fields towards your final destination.

Along the Beaches and Greek and Roman Ruins

Today is a relatively flat ride with only a significant climb at the beginning. You start the day leisurely towards the beaches of l’Escala. Then you cycle through the dune area towards l’Escala. You also pass by ‘Punta del Milà’ – a beautiful viewpoint with high cliffs and the Mediterranean Sea. In Empúries, you have ample time to visit the Greek and Roman ruins (dating back to 600 BC). The route ends in Castelló d’Empúries, featuring a stunning cathedral that showcases how powerful the village was in ancient times.

Cap de Creus: Stunning Mediterranean Sea Views

After a few kilometers, you’ll start the first climb of the day: to the center of Cap de Creus (7 km 280m+). Here, you can choose the longer route that goes through Cadaqués, which is definitely recommended. If you take the longer route, you can have lunch there. From the center, you’ll descend through vineyards and olive groves towards the medieval town of Peralada. The last part of the ride takes you across the Empordà plain towards Figueres.

If you have time, a visit to the Dalí Museum is definitely worth it.

Back to Girona via the Flatlands and Steep Hills

On the last day, you start off gently, riding along deserted back roads through the rolling countryside. Here, pine forests and farmland alternate. Soon, you’ll see the hills of Les Gavarres rising in the distance. From Sant Martí Vell, the real work begins. After a long climb, you reach the ‘Santuari dels Àngels’. From the panoramic terrace, you have a stunning view over Les Gavarres, the nature park extending from Girona to the Mediterranean Sea. Afterward, you descend via the Sant Daniel Valley to one of the many plazas in Girona.

After six days of gravel biking, you’ll surely be ready to enjoy some delicious tapas and a drink at one of the many plazas in Girona. Some lovely squares include Plaça de Sant Feliu, the large Plaça de la Independència, Plaça del Vi 7, the hidden Plaça Bell-Lloc, or the cozy bar across from the university up in the city: Plaça de Sant Domènec. This is the perfect way to wrap up your trip in style.

• You can fly to Girona Airport or Barcelona Airport. Both airports offer good connections to the centre of Girona.
• From Girona Airport, you travel by bus to the centre of Girona in approximately 20 minutes. A private transfer is also possible; this takes approximately 15 minutes and can be arranged through us.
  For current bus times, please visit:
  Bus
• From Barcelona Airport, you travel to Girona by train, bus or private transfer.
  By train, the journey takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours (with one transfer).
  A private transfer is also possible; this takes approximately 1.5 hours and can be arranged through us.
  For current train times, please visit:
  Train (first section) and Train (second section)

• For this trip, the difficulty level is 3. Difficulty level 3 is manageable for the average gravel biker. The rides are not too long but do include some elevation gain. The route may include longer sections of unpaved terrain (gravel) as well as looser gravel with some uneven surfaces, but is always well rideable. There may be 1 or 2 days where the ride is somewhat longer and more demanding. On average, distances are between 50 and 70 kilometres per day and between 300 and 800 metres of elevation gain per day.

• Catalonia has mild spring and autumn months and warm, sunny summers. The period from March to June and from September to the end of October is ideal for a comfortable cycling holiday, with pleasant temperatures and quiet roads.
• On our dedicated climate page for Catalonia, you will find a clear monthly overview, so you can see exactly when it is most pleasant to cycle in this region: Climate Catalonia
• For a broader overview, you can also consult our general climate page: Climate Spain