Arrival day
In Girona there is plenty to see and to do. The city is famous for having one of the best preserved Jewish old towns and the Cathedral boasts one of the largest stone vaulted spaces in Gothic architecture. A walk along the city walls is highly recommended, or following the river Onyar, which gives you a nice picturesque view of the colored houses of the river.
Day 1: Girona - Sant Feliu de Guíxols (45 Km 280m+)
Starting from the CycleTours office we will follow a cycle path to exit the city to the south. The ride takes us straight to the Mediterranean Sea. This section follows a greenway called “El Carrilet”, passing through the towns of Quart, Cassà de la Selva, Llagostera and Santa Cristina d’Aro. Along the route we always have the Gavarres massif as a backdrop, a mountainous forest area, consisting mainly of oaks, important for the cork production. We arrive in San Feliu de Guíxols, our hotel will be near the nice beach of Sant Pol.
Day 2: Sant Feliu de Guíxols - Calella de Palafrugell (30 Km 271m+)
Today we ride North along the coast combining the coastal road with the front sea boulevards, visiting the main port town of Palamós. After a few kilometers we’ll pass the unspoilt cove Platja de Castell, with its Iberian settlement on the left side. This is a nice place to have a picnic and take a dive in the Mediterranean sea. Later on, we arrive in the picturesque old fishing village of Calella de Palafurgell, one of the pearls of the Costa Brava. On the last section you’ll be cycling along the greenway called “Ruta del Tren Petit”.
Day 3: Calella de Palafrugell - Torroella de Montgrí (29 Km 180m+)
The route goes towards the north, inland to passing through Palafrugell, with its fish, meat and vegetables market. This is a nice place to learn about the local product of this region. We can also visit the Cork Museum. After exiting Palafrugell we can stop at the cellar Mas Oller for a guided visit and wine tasting. Later on we reach Pals, one of the better conserved medieval sites. The ride will take us through natural wetlands with extensive rice fields and long sandy beaches. The bike tour ends in Torroella de Montgrí at the foot of the castle Montgri massif.
Day 4: Torroella de Montgrí - Castelló d’Empúries (36 Km 60m+)
The route continues to the North passing the Montgrí massif into the county of Alt Empordà. We enter the long Bay of Roses with long, sandy beaches. Next to the pretty medieval settlement Sant Martí de Empúries and right in front of the superb beach, we should take the time to visit the archeological settlement Empúries with Greek and Roman ruins, the gateway of the classic cultures to the Iberian Peninsular. The route then continues North where riders will pass through the protected marshlands of Aiguamolls de l’Empordà. The route ends at the village of Castelló d’Empúries, it has a rich architectural heritage; gothic church, Count’s palace, old market building and Jewish quarter.
Day 5: Loop Castelló d’Empúries (37 Km 65m+)
This ride provides fantastic views of the Pyrenees as a backdrop while cycling through the 100 year old vineyards. Today we will have the opportunity to visit the most interesting wineries, that are mainly located in the towns of Vilajuïga and Pau, like the Espelt Cellar.
Day 6: Castelló d’Empúries - Figueres (43 Km 370m+)
The last bike tour heads first to Peralada (the capital of the wine DO) where we visit the castle and the medieval town. From there we will cycle crossing the upper part of the vineyards zone passing by Garriguella, Vilamaniscle and Rabos wit the most ancient groves. We recommend a visit to the cellar of La Vinyeta, with a picnic and a wine tasting among the vinyards, that can be booked as an addition to the tour. From there the tour takes us on a long downhill ride until arriving to your final destination, the city of Figueres. After arriving to Figueres riders can enjoy a visit to the world famous Theatre-Museum Dalí, still one of the most visited tourist site in Spain.
Departure day
Departure from Figueres after breakfast.
