Level
The great tour of the Empordà starts in the magnificent city of Girona and offers a complete itinerary across the Empordà (inland area of Costa Brava) that is one of the most beautiful landscapes of Catalonia. Cyclists will have a fantastic view of this region, inland and coast. In few kilometers, riders will see a great variety of landscapes, such as medieval villages, olive trees, vineyards, and traditional fishing villages.
It’s a challenging route for medium level cyclists, due to its gradients that include safe mountains passes of 5 and 10km. This route takes you also to Cap de Creus, the eastern point of the Iberian Peninsula.
The route starts and ends in Girona and combines a rocky coastline, a soft countryside and a rural atmosphere. Following the coast to the North you’ll find the important Greek-Roman ruins of Empúries and the natural park “Aiguamolls d’Empordà”, important centre of birdwatching. Towards the interior you visit an area with rolling relief and picturesque medieval villages. You will visit the most important spots of the area like La Bisbal d’Empordà, the region’s capital with its beautiful castle, and also the medieval historic monumental village of Peratallada. You return to the coast to the picturesque fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell that still retains it original charm with its typical colored houses by the sea. On your way you’ll find excellent gastronomy, both from the sea and the field, impressive wild coast, large sandy beaches, and charming little medieval villages.
*Bike routes for road or gravel bikes
Day 1: Arrival at Girona
Accommodation: Double tree by Hilton
Day 2: Girona
Route: 65kms / 680 mts
Accommodation: Double tree by Hilton
Day 3: San Feliu Guixols
Route: 58 km / 620m+
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.
Day 4: Torroella del Montgri
Route: 61 km / 483m+
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 most beautiful 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.
Day 5: Castello Empuries
Route: 52 km / 190m+
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.
Day 6: Figueres
Route: 70 km / 1100m+
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.
Day 7: Girona
Route: 65 km / 630 km
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.
Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
Hotel URH Girona
The URH Girona, located 10 minutes from historic downtown.
The hotel offers a nice terrace with pool and wonderful views of the Pyrenees, with bar service and snacks in the evening. The hotel has comfortable and modern rooms, with warm decor and wooden floors. It offers standard and superior rooms and junior suites, with amenities and free Wi-Fi.
Hotel Ilunion Caleta Park
Ilunion Caleta Park Hotel is situated in the spectacular beach of S’Agaro.
The hotel is located in the heart of the Costa Brava, in the exclusive, idyllic bay of S’Agaró, one of the Costa Brava’s most prestigious enclaves, a pioneer in quality holidays, internationally recognised for its select, glamorous surroundings. S’Agaró Hotel is right on the seafront, on Sant Pol beach, one of the Costa Brava’s top locations. A small beach of fine sand, far removed from the noise of other coastal areas in the summer season.
Hotel URH Molí del Mig
It is a unique space in the heart of Emporda.
The Hotel Moli del Mig Restaurant and SPA is located in the the majestic area of Massis del Montgrí and one kilometer away from the historic center of Torroella de Montgrí. With a careful restoration of the ancient mill, it boasts the most modern facilities and cutting-edge design that seek to highlight its historical value, respecting the landscape in an integrated architecture in the natural environment with seven acres of gardens and fields.
Hotel la Moneda
XVIII century ancient mansion located in the Jewish quarters in Castelló d’Empúries.
Hotel la Moneda is a XVIII century ancient mansion located in the Jewish quarters in Castelló d’Empúries, a strategic town at the heart of the Empordá and Costa Brava. The building is catalogued as an historic monument and during its renovation as a four star hotel it has kept the period’s architectonic features.
Hotel Duran
Set in the heart of Figueres, in the upper part of the Rambla.
Right in the historical centre of the city and just a short walk from its most charismatic buildings: the Dalí Museum, the Toy Museum of Catalonia, El Jardí Theatre, and more. It is a high category 3-star hotel of recognised prestige, totally refurbished in contemporary style. It is the city’s most emblematic hotel, as the building was originally an old inn dating back to 1855, El Celler de Ca la Teta.
Touring / Hybrid bikes:
GHOST Square Cross X male and female
Sizes: XS (female) S / M / L / XL
Description: 24 speed, disc brakes, 28″ wheels and rear rack.
Electric bikes:
FLYER T8.1
Description: Shimano Nexus 8 speed.
700 mm wheels
WINORA Sinus Tria
Description: Shimano Nexus 7 speed.
700 mm wheels
Gravel bikes:
BMC Roadmachine X GRAVEL
Description: Aluminium frame / disc brakes.
Sram Rival 40, 11-42 11s.
*Each hired bike includes: a pannier, a helmet, a map carrier, an odometer and a water bottle. Per couple they’ll receive a basic reparation kit and one bike lock.
The bikes must be returned in the same condition as they had been delivered.
Bikes can not be insured in case of thief, so clients will be responsible to take care of them.
950,00€ – 1.125,00€
| Dates | Low-Mid season, High season ( 19/06 – 28/08) |
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The uniqueness of the tour, cities visited, and the ability to rent a tandem bicycle, the closeness to Barcelona was also a significant factor! The web site is pretty good. I would add the elevation profile to the itinerary. It’s always helpful to see in advance how much climbing there is on the tour. The accommodations were very nice. We enjoyed all of the hotels and the service was great!
The service was great. The written instructions had good suggestions for stops and places of interest.
The tandem that we rented was great. We have rented tandems several times over the years and this was the best bicycle that we rented. Previous tandems were too heavy and climbing was difficult. The Viking tandem is certainly not lightweight but is a nice entry level hybrid tandem. The tandem was maintained well and shifted well. Braking was also not an issue. Very pleased with the choice of tandem.
On the way from St. Pere Pescador to Madremanya we stopped in the small town of St. Miquel de Fluvia. The church was closed as we arrived early in the morning. A woman noticed us and opened the church for us and we toured it. She explained the history of the church to us and told us about other things to see near the church. My Spanish is limited by I was able to understand some things and the kindnes of this woman will not be forgotten. She gave us some pamphlets in English about the church.
The countryside was beautiful and the small towns wonderful.
And, at the end of the day we were always treated with fabulous food
