Self-Guided cycling holidays are the ideal choice for people who like to cycle and holiday independently. You can relax and concentrate on enjoying your holiday and the passing views, while we take care of hotel reservations and arranging luggage transfers. Cycle at your own pace, start your day when you prefer and all you need to carry is your detailed route notes and what you need for the day's ride, which we will provide. Bike hire is included and your bags are transported for you from hotel to hotel.
Foothills of the Pyrenees & the Volcan Parque Natural
Upon arrival into either Girona or Barcelona you make your way by train towards the Pyrenees to Ripoll, the start of your trail to the coast. In association with the Spanish railway company, hundreds of kilometres of disused track has been converted into cycle routes known as “Greenways”. Gradients are mild, routes peaceful and there are no cars. You follow the “greenway” south east into a region of low mountains, evergreen oak forests and the Garrotxa Parque Natural - the last eruption here was a mere 11,000 years ago! Birdlife is prolific - this is a beautiful area of wooded landscapes and volcanic caldera interspersed with ancient walled villages and Romanesque churches. You have time in Olot to explore the local trails - the only way to truly appreciate the glorious countryside. You continue to Girona, criss-crossing streams over a series of bridges. Girona was originally founded by the Romans, its ancient centre straddles a fortress-like hill. Taking a break from your bike you may choose to climb the city walls at dusk for views over the old quarter.
To the Mediterranean
The last leg of your journey takes you to the old port town of Sant Feliu de Guixols, crossing through oak and cork forests before arriving at the sea. You have a day to relax here, swim or indulge in excellent Catalan cuisine and wine. For dedicated cyclists, there is one more opportunity to explore this beautiful region and go for a final ride along the scenic coast before travelling to Barcelona.
Barcelona & the Ramblas
Capital of Catalonia, Barcelona offers a range of unbeatable attractions with its character epitomised by the architecture of Antoni Gaudi and the Ramblas - the link between the old town and the harbour. You'll have time to explore the city upon arrival.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrive Ripoll
Upon arrival in Ripoll, your hotel is within walking distance of the train station. This afternoon, depending on your arrival time, there may be time for a wander through the town, where the remains of the monastery remind us of the glorious days when this was the centre of power of the first Catalan counts; Guife el Pelos (‘Willy the Hairy’) is considered to be the founder of Catalonia, when he started uniting the different counties in the 9th century and thus gradually creating independence from France. The monastery itself used to house one of the finest medieval libraries in Europe and still preserves the splendid Romanesque portal from the 12th century.
This evening, you'll pick up your bikes from reception, where they'll be with your name on. At 8pm you will be met by an English speaking local rep giving you a short briefing for the trip and answering questions you might have.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Day 2:
Cycling to Sant Joan de Les Abadesses and Olot
Your first day takes you on the Camino de Ferro, the first section of the graded bike trail which was originally built in the late 19th century as a railway line serving local coal mines. This incredibly green and lush valley is surrounded by mountains up to 2100 metres high. There's a lovely place to stop for lunch, at the top of the Coll de Santigosa mountain pass, from where there are lovely views. Your route leads all the way to Sant Joan de les Abadesses, another important site from early medieval days, and you may wish to stop here for a visit to the 9th century monastery with its delightful alabaster windows. Gradually ascending a mountain pass, and enjoying lunch at the top, we arrive in Olot in the late afternoon after an easy route downhill into the town. The capital of the Garrotxa region, Olot is surely one of the few places in the world that was built in between several volcanoes. It is worth a walk through the old center of the town, especially after 5 pm when the shops open again and the narrow streets really begin to bustle with life. (Approx. 35km cycling; 395m ascent)
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3:
Cycling in the Garrotxa National Park
Today’s ride is dedicated to exploring the volcanic scenery in the heart of the Garrotxa Natural Park. You start cycling through the Fajeda de n’Jorda, the largest beech wood forest on the Iberian peninsula, and eventually reach the Croscat volcano. Here you can see the structure of the crater as decades ago a huge chunk was cut out for use as construction material. All the volcanoes in the area are covered by lush forest. From the volcano, it's worth cycling to Santa Pau, one of the most authentic and picturesque 14th century villages in Catalonia. (Approx. 17.6km cycling). NB, if you'd like to do more cycling today, there are various roads and trails you can try out after returning to Olot, which will be about an extra 8km of cycling.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 4:
Cycling to Girona; explore on foot
In the morning we head off south, following the old railway line on the bike trail. Apart from one little ascent this is the most serene and gentle downhill on the whole trip, taking us through rich and fertile valleys with corn and palm tree plantations surrounded by the dramatic rocks of the Collsacabra Mountains. The trail leads directly into the heart of Girona where we can enjoy first impressions of this stunningly located town, built on a hill between two rivers. Girona was one of the first Paleolithic communities in the region and, under the Romans, a major town on the 'Via Augusta' between Rome and Cadiz. It reached its zenith, however, during the Middle Ages when Catalonian seafaring expansion reached as far as Athens, bringing great wealth to the region. A great place to sit for an early evening coffee is on the Rambla or the Carrer de Forca. (Approx. 60km cycling; 140m ascent).
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 5:
Cycling to Sant Feliu de Guixos
This morning is free to explore Girona. Visit the ancient city walls for fine views over the surrounding countryside, and then explore the backstreets on foot. Examples of the wealth from Catalonian seafaring days can be seen at the spectacular cathedral, built between the 11th and 15th centuries, which has a Romanesque cloister, Europe’s widest Gothic Nave and a five-storey tower. Not to be missed is a visit to the Arabic Baths – built during the 13th century by a noble family who wanted their private bath to be designed in the style of Moorish Spain. It may also be possible to do a quick visit to Figueres (a short train ride away) to visit Salvador Dali’s famous Theatre Museum. After lunch head off on the bike trail towards the coast. Soon the scenery changes and the vegetation is increasingly dominated by pine and cork oak trees, as well as eucalyptus. A final descent brings you into Sant Feliu de Guixols. (Approx. 40km cycling; 80m ascent).
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 6:
Free day on coast; optional cycle to Tossa del Mar
Today is free for you to choose whether you wish to take it easy on the local beaches, visit the old monstery and the historical center of Sant Feliu, or perhaps fancy some more cycling. A very rewarding but challenging ride (there is approximately 1000m of altitude gain) is along the coastal road which connects Sant Feliu with Tossa del Mar. It wasn’t until the 1950s that under Franco the road was constructed in order to attract more tourism to the Costa Brava. Tossa del Mar itself had emerged on the world map a few years before when it hosted the shooting of a major Hollywood production with Ava Gardner. The 23 kilometres along the rocky cliffs are probably the most scenic along the entire Spanish Mediterranean, affording splendid views across little bays and the sea. Alternatively, spend time on one of the many lovely local beaches, swimming in the Mediterranean or maybe taking a stroll along the old town's promenade. (Optional approx. 46km cycling, 1000m ascent).
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 7:
Barcelona
After breakfast, transfer by bus to Barcelona, leaving your bikes at the hotel before you depart. The journey takes about 90 minutes. After you've checked in, you are free to explore Barcelona. You can visit Antoni Gaudi’s fascinating Park Guell for a stroll, admiring the beauty of his architecture and enjoying fantastic views across the city and the sea. You may also choose to visit another of Gaudi’s famous projects, the Sagrada Familia, the unfinished cathedral. Other examples of Gaudi’s work not to be missed are the roof-top of La Pedrera and Casa Battlo both situated on Passeig de Gracia. Alternatively, take a stroll down to the port and the cable car across the harbour to the Jardins de Miramar, and then ascend to the Castell de Montjuic, dating back to the 17th century. Fantastic views are afforded out to the sea and back to the mountains.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 8:
Trip ends Barcelona
Today is the end of your adventures - waving farewell to this beautiful region of Spain.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
