Arrival day
Welcome to Girona!
Once you arrive in Girona, you can head straight to your hotel to check-in. Once settled, take time to explore this charming city, rich in history and culture. Girona is renowned for its beautifully preserved Jewish Quarter, one of the finest in the world. Don’t miss the impressive Cathedral and a scenic walk along the medieval walls, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city.
Should you need transfers or any assistance upon arrival, we’re here to help. If you’d like to acclimatize or simply enjoy more time in Girona, we’d be happy to arrange extra nights for your stay.
Stage 1: Loop ride Girona
Your tour begins with a welcome meeting at our office, where we’ll go over the routes and key details. If you’re renting bikes with us, this will be followed by a bike fitting to ensure you’re all setup for your ride.
Distance: 103 km | Elevation Gain: 1,440 m
Today’s route takes you up to the mountain town of Sant Hilari Sacalm (803 m).
You’ll leave Girona heading west into the scenic Llémena Valley. The first 15 km feature a gentle slope—perfect for warming up the legs—before turning left for a short but steady climb to Les Serres. After a brief plateau, you descend to Bonmatí and continue to Anglès.
From Anglès, the main climb begins: a steady ascent of nearly 25 km to Sant Hilari Sacalm. With an average gradient of 2.6%, it’s a long but relatively gentle climb through forested terrain.
After reaching the summit, enjoy a rewarding 18 km descent to Sant Coloma de Farners, followed by a relaxed 25 km ride through the countryside to return to Girona.
If you’re looking for a shorter route to help you acclimatize, we’d be happy to recommend an alternative.
Stage 2: Girona – Calella de Palafrugell
Distance: 83 km | Elevation gain: 1,200 m
The route begins heading south through a flat area until you reach Llagostera. From there, the climb to Sant Grau (465 m) begins. After reaching the summit, a stunning descent with fantastic views over the Mediterranean Sea awaits. The ride continues along the scenic coastal road, famously used in the 2009 Tour de France. With its rolling hills and breathtaking vistas, it’s a true highlight of the route. You will follow the coast until the old fishery village of Calella de Palafrugell, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful villages on the Costa Brava.
Stage 3: Calella de Palafrugell – Castelló d’Empúries
Distance: 75 km | Elevation gain: 670 m
The day begins with a short but steep climb to the Sant Sebastià lighthouse (1.8 km at 8%). After a brief descent and a few flat kilometers, you’ll tackle a 5 km climb to the hilltop town of Begur, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Mediterranean coastline.
From Begur, the route heads inland to the famous medieval village of Pals, known for its narrow, cobbled streets and timeless charm. The rest of the ride is mostly flat, passing through more historic villages before reaching Torroella de Montgrí, nestled just beneath its dramatic hilltop castle.
Later, you’ll make your way toward the beaches of Empúries and L’Escala. We highly recommend stopping to explore the archaeological site at Empúries, where Greek and Roman ruins dating back to 600 BC mark the arrival of classical civilization to the Iberian Peninsula.
The ride concludes in Castelló d’Empúries, home to a magnificent cathedral—a striking reminder of the village’s historical importance and former power.
Stage 4: Castelló d’Empúries - Figueres
Distance: 107 km | Elevation gain: 2270 m
The first of two though days with lots of climbing.
This route begins by heading north into the stunning and rugged Cap de Creus Nature Reserve, passing over the Col de Perafita. From there, you have the option to descend 11 km to the picturesque coastal town of Cadaqués—where the famous surrealist painter Salvador Dalí once lived—before climbing back over Perafita to descend into El Port de la Selva.
From El Port de la Selva, the route follows a scenic and undulating coastal road all the way to Banyuls-sur-Mer in France. Here, you’ll turn south and cross back into Spain via the renowned Coll de Banyuls, where the final 3 km of the climb consistently hold gradients in the double digits.
From the summit, it’s mostly downhill for the last 30 km, finishing in Figueres, the birthplace of Dalí and home to the world-famous Dalí Theatre-Museum.
Stage 5: Figueres – Molló
Distance: 98 km | Elevation gain: 2540 m
Today’s ride takes you deeper into the Pyrenees, featuring some significant climbs. You’ll begin by crossing into France via the mountain pass at Coustouges (810 m), then return to Spain over the Coll d’Ares (1,513 m)—a 13 km ascent with an average gradient of 6%.
From the summit, a scenic descent brings you to the village of Molló, located near the winter ski town of Camprodon, where you’ll spend the night at an elevation of 1,160 meters.
Stage 6: Molló – Girona
Distance: 100 km | Elevation gain: 990 m
The final day begins with a mostly downhill stretch of 35 km to the beautiful town of Olot, located in the heart of the La Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park. The following 35 km feature rolling terrain, with most of the day’s climbing concentrated in this section. From there, you’ll enjoy a long descent back to Girona, riding along quiet, scenic backcountry roads.
Departure day
After breakfast, your trip with us comes to an end. From here, you can continue your journey or head back home. If you’d like to extend your stay and enjoy a bit more of what Girona has to offer, just let us know — we’ll be happy to help.
