Catalonia & Girona (Spanish Pyrenees)

by Marmot Tours

Region

Catalonia

Duration

7 days

Guided Status

Guided

Difficulty

Moderate

D-Score™

N/A - Unknown

Overview

Classic, flexible pace cycling holiday with daily route options in Catalonia & Girona (Spanish Pyrenees). Experience the favourite European cycling spots of the pros in this fantastic region famed for its cycling. Flexible itinerary to suit most cyclists with daily optional extras for those wanting more of a challenge. Discover some of the hidden gems of the Vuelta d'Espana: cycle Rocacorba, Coll de Canes, Vallter 2000, and Collada de Collfred. Spend two nights in Girona, the cycling mecca of Europe. Stay in comfortable and friendly hotels with experience of catering to cyclists. Exceptional support from two customised support vans and two expert, proactive and fun guides, focused on making your holiday the best it can be. 6 days of stunning cycling with route options daily. Detailed GPS route files provided for all route options. On-the-road support from two friendly and knowledgeable guides both in customised support vehicles. Water and unlimited snacks (fruit, cake, nuts, snack bars etc) at support stops. 7 nights twin-share hotel accommodation including breakfasts. 6 three-course evening meals, with wine, beer or soft drinks included. Airport transfers on arrival and departure days at specified times. Photos of you and your holiday, shared after the trip. Tips paid to evening meal restaurant staff on behalf of the group. Money financially protected by ABTOT. Added consumer confidence and support via ABTA membership. The itinerary offers a lot of flexibility, with a Classic and a Challenge route available each day (and sometimes an additional easier route too). The distance and altitude gain between hotels are manageable for most people who road-cycle regularly. Hotels are comfortable with ensuite facilities, ranging from 2* to 4*, selected for their location and customer service towards cyclists. Hotels have a garage/locked room for bikes. WiFi is available but not always reliable. Laundry facilities are limited, but hand-washed kit can be dried. Hotels and restaurants can cater for most dietary needs and allergies if known in advance. Daily stats of distance and climbing are available on the trip webpage. Your day will typically start with breakfast from around 08:30 with set off time at around 09:45 to 10:15. Lunch is typically served in restaurants and cafes from 14:00 to 16:00. You’ll be back at the hotel any time between 14:00 and 18:30. Dinner is usually served at 20:30. Guides may adjust timings depending on group needs or weather. Lifts in the van are available if needed. Do not recommend rim brakes on carbon wheels due to delamination risk. Bring own bike lights, pump, tyre levers, inner tubes, brake pads, chain link, spare rear derailleur hanger. Tools for bike assembly are available. Passport valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU is required for non-EU nationals. Travel insurance is essential. Included in your holiday cost: 6 days of stunning cycling with route options daily, Detailed GPS route files provided for all route options, On-the-road support from two friendly and knowledgeable guides both in customised support vehicles, Water and unlimited snacks (fruit, cake, nuts, snack bars etc) at support stops, 7 nights twin-share hotel accommodation including breakfasts, 6 three-course evening meals, with wine, beer or soft drinks included, Airport transfers on arrival and departure days at specified times, Photos of you and your holiday, shared after the trip, Tips paid to evening meal restaurant staff on behalf of the group, Your money financially protected by ABTOT, Added consumer confidence and support via ABTA membership. Optional extras: Single-occupancy hotel room, Hire bike, Spare bike tyres, tubes and components, CO2 canisters. Not included: Flights, Insurance, Spending money for lunches and cafe drinks, Dinner on one night in Girona, Tips for guides, Energy gels, powders, or recovery drinks/snacks, Spare parts specific to your own bike, GPS navigation device and handlebar mount, Bike lights, Your own pedals (saddles are provided but we recommend you bring your own to be comfortable). Day 0: Arrival day with included airport transfers from Barcelona Airport (BCN) or Girona Airport (GRO) to the start hotel in Banyoles. Warm-up ride to Rocacorba: 28 KM with 850m ascent. Day 1: Banyoles to Setcases. Classic: 73 KM with 1530m ascent. Harder: 81 KM with 2000m ascent. Challenge: 105 KM with 2900m ascent. Day 2: Setcases to Ripoll. Classic: 95 KM with 1500m ascent. Challenge: 123 KM with 2160m ascent. Day 3: Ripoll to Vic. Classic: 99 KM with 1350m ascent. Harder: 108 KM with 1780m ascent. Challenge: 128 KM with 2300m ascent. Day 4: Vic to Girona - Massif del Montseny. Easier: 88 KM with 1200m ascent. Classic: 110 KM with 1600m ascent. Challenge: 137 KM with 2400m ascent. Day 5: Day Ride from Girona. Classic: 112 KM with 1500m ascent. Harder: 126 KM with 2000m ascent. Challenge: 149 KM with 2800m ascent. Day 6: Girona to Tossa de Mar. Easier: 82 KM with 1150m ascent. Classic: 95 KM with 1400m ascent. Challenge: 139 KM with 2100m ascent. Day 7: Departure day with transfers back to Barcelona Airport (BCN) or Girona Airport (GRO).

Daily Ride Schedule

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Hotel

What's Included

Airport transfers

Catering services

Accommodation arrangements

Bike rental

Mechanical support

Support vehicle following all rides

About the Catalonia

A dedicated guide for this region is not available yet.

GBP 1610

per person

Go to Provider

Why Choose This Tour?

Experience the favourite European cycling spots of the pros in this fantastic region famed for its cycling.
Flexible itinerary to suit most cyclists with daily optional extras for those wanting more of a challenge.
Discover some of the hidden gems of the Vuelta d'Espana: cycle Rocacorba, Coll de Canes, Vallter 2000, and Collada de Collfred.
Spend two nights in Girona, the cycling mecca of Europe.
Stay in comfortable and friendly hotels with experience of catering to cyclists.
Exceptional support from two customised support vans and two expert, proactive and fun guides, focused on making your holiday the best it can be.
The climate in Catalonia makes this tour an ideal spring and autumn European cycling holiday destination.
You'll have the choice of two to three routes each day so it's up to you how much you want to push yourself.
Full support from two of our expert, fun-loving guides and their bespoke support vehicles, this is the perfect cycling tour in Catalonia.
6 days of stunning cycling with route options daily.
Water and unlimited snacks (fruit, cake, nuts, snack bars etc) at support stops.
6 three-course evening meals, with wine, beer or soft drinks included.
Airport transfers on arrival and departure days at specified times.
The beautiful climb to the 12th-century Santuari de Rocacorba (960m) is too good to be ignored.
Many pro cyclists who live and train the area use this as a benchmark climb to test their form.
Day 1: Banyoles to Setcases - The diminutive Coll de Caselles (623m) is first on the menu, taking you into the town of Olot for some welcome refreshments.
From here you're off into the amazing landscape of black volcanic rock, riding between the (now dormant) volcanos and over Coll de Capsacosta (870m).
Your destination for the day is the mountain hamlet of Setcases, located conveniently at the base of the famous Vallter 2000 (2156m) - our optional extra for the day.
Vallter 2000 features regularly in both La Vuelta a España and Volta a Catalunya and holds the title of 'the highest road climb in Catalonia'.
Day 2: Setcases to Ripoll - Being so close to the French border, it's a great opportunity to head over for a visit, and all that stands in your way on our Challenge route is the mountain pass of Col d'Ares (1513m).
Our Classic route today bypasses the Col d'Ares and undulates over Coll de la Buixeda (1092m) and Coll de Pera (790m).
The route has a downhill bias to the municipality of Castellfollit de la Roca, famous for its basalt cliffs and rock formations formed by centuries-old volcanic lava.
You head west from here, skirting the town of Olot and climbing on gentle gradients up the side of the valley to the summit of Col de Canes (1121m).
Having featured in both La Vuelta a España and Volta a Catalunya, this road is favoured by local riders for its lack of cars and good surface.
A flowing descent through lush green countryside leads you to your hotel in Ripoll, a quiet Pyrenean town most famous for its Benedictine monastery and historic iron and coal mines.
Day 3: Ripoll to Vic - Leaving Ripoll behind you, you head out to our most westerly point of the week, on mountain roads that get quieter and quieter as you go.
Our Classic route takes you over the unassuming Coll de Merolla (1100m) and down its sweeping tree-lined descent, before you turn left and head south onto roads that seem to have been built especially for cyclists!
'Undulations' are the order of the day as you make your way along to Alto de Sobremunt (889m) and on to yet another jaw-dropping descent, to the plains surrounding the town of Vic.
Our Challenge option today takes an early northern detour to the summit of Coll de la Creueta (1935m) before re-joining the Classic route.
You stay in the centre of the ancient Roman town of Vic for the night where we enjoy the serenity of our historic hotel, formally a theological college.
Day 4: Vic to Girona - Massif del Montseny - Your destination today is Girona, famous for its medieval architecture, historic walled quarter (Barri Vell) and the Roman remains of the Força Vella fortress.
It is, of course, popular with cyclists, and today you'll see just why...
This morning you'll explore the Montseny Massif on tree-lined roads with spectacular views.
The Classic route takes in the Collada de Vilar (780m), the Coll de Gomara (891m) and the Alto de Santa Fe - north (1303m).
The Challenge route splits off early to take on the Coll Formic (1144m) and the Alto de Santa Fe - south (1303m).
After stopping for refreshments in the pretty town of Sant Hilari Sacalm, you move into the Guilleries Massif to enjoy winding forested roads that undulate downhill to our 4-star hotel in the centre of Girona.
Day 5: Day Ride from Girona - There are many great rides to be done from Girona, which is why the city has become such a prime cycling destination.
Today you have the opportunity to take on the gradients of the Mare de Deu del Mont (1095m), arguably the best climb in the region.
It is a narrow and beautiful road through the forest to the highest point around, and the views are well worth the effort once you get there!
On the way back via Banyoles, those wanting a really tough day could detour up to the Santuari de Rocacorba (960m), if you did not get to do it on the arrival day.
The other option today is to have a well-earned rest day off the bike to explore the historic city or relax in one of its famous cycling cafés.
Day 6: Girona to Tossa de Mar - Cliff-hugging roads, a cool sea breeze and views that stretch for miles are all on the agenda today.
You leave Girona on a road ridden by almost every cyclist in the region, to the summit of a climb that is popular with both amateur and professional cyclists alike, Els Angels (475m).
It is a steady climb nestled in the trees, ending at a chapel that commands dramatic panoramic views for miles around.
From here you are bound for the coast, but as always there are options!
Those of you who want a slightly less challenging afternoon can choose to follow the coast road along to Tossa de Mar, whereas for the rest of you there are some spectacular climbs left to sample!
Following the Classic or Challenge routes will take you up and over the diminutive Romanyà de la Selva (323m) before heading back to sea-level for refreshments.
What lies ahead of you from here is one of the prettiest stretches of coast road that the region has to offer - what better way to round off your adventure?
Those following the Challenge route head inland again to tick off two last 'hills' before descending back to take on the spectacular coast road for the final time.
All that is left to do now is relax, wine, dine, and share stories of a fantastic week on the bike.
Dinner on one night in Girona is not included so you can enjoy one of the many fine restaurants in town.
There are many great rides to be done from Girona, which is why the city has become such a prime cycling destination.
The Mare de Deu del Mont (1095m) is arguably the best climb in the region.
It is a narrow and beautiful road through the forest to the highest point around, and the views are well worth the effort once you get there!
The Santuari de Rocacorba (960m) is a climb that many pro cyclists who live and train the area use as a benchmark climb to test their form.
Els Angels (475m) is a climb popular with both amateur and professional cyclists alike.
It is a steady climb nestled in the trees, ending at a chapel that commands dramatic panoramic views for miles around.
The coast road to Tossa de Mar offers some of the prettiest stretches of coast road that the region has to offer.