Great Tour of Empordà Cycling Dalí - 7

In Girona there is plenty to see and to do. The city is famous for having one of the best preserved Jewish old towns in the world, the Cathedral boasts one of the largest stone vaulted spaces in Gothic architecture and the walk along the cities ancient walls is a recommended highlight.

Delivery of the GPS and necessary documentation in our office. Bike fitting if bikes are rented. The first day we will discover the inland country side of Llémena Valley with his big ancient farms. After surrounding the small volcano of Adri , we continue crossing some humid and wooded areas. Today is a warm up ride.

We start south through a plane until Llagostera. From there we start the climb of Sant Grau (465m). After passing the col a great descent with fantastic views over the Mediterranean sea will be recorded on your mind for all your live. This coastal road has been used for the Tour de France in 2009. We finish our ride at the beach of Sant Pol, just beside the Sant Feliu main beach.

Starting from Sant Pol, we will cross Platja d’Aro, Calonge and Palamós, 3 touristic villages in front of the sea. Also in the coast we will reach Calella, a cute fisherman village with his houses right in front of the beach. Callella is considered one of the best villages of the Costa Brava. Starting from Calella we will deal with the short but really step climb to the light house of Sant Sebastià (climb 2 km 150m+). After that we climb to Begur and reach the gulf of Pals with his long sandy beach. From there we ride inland to Pals a famous medieval village. Really worth to spend a while walking on its narrow streets. After crossing some more medieval villages we reach Torroella de Montgrí, just under its castle on the top of the mountain.

Today is an easy ride. This stage enables riders to cycle quietly towards the plain the beaches in Empúries and l’Escala. In Empúries you should take the time to visit the archeological site Empúries with Greek and Roman ruins dating from 600BC, the gateway of the classic cultures to the Iberian Peninsular. The route finish in Castelló d’Empúries with a stunning cathedral that shows how powerful was the village in the ancient time.

From there we will cross a small wetland with an ornithological reserve, then the ride climbs the mountain pass of the Perafita one. Optional ride (11km) reach Cadaqués, where famous artist Dalí use to live and coming back climbing again Perafita col. From there you start descending to the flat until reaching Port de la Selva. From there, another climb brings us up to the abbey of Sant Pere de Rodes and later we descent to Figueres where we will overnight. Really worth to visit the Dalí Museum, with it’s surrealist paintings.

Today we will ride on quite back roads through the undulated inland combining pines forest and agriculture areas, with many cozy villages. Finally you will climb up to the Sanctuary of Els Àngels as a “happy end”, with spectacular views. You will finish the route in Girona, where you can have dinner at one of the good restaurants downtown.

Departure from Girona after breakfast.