This is a two centre tour based in the coastal town of Palamos and then Figueres famous for its Dali connection. The tour covers some of the dramatic Costa Brava coastline and the pretty countryside of this area of Catalonia.
The routes are challenging and require a reasonable high level of both cycling experience and physical fitness. Our highly experienced guides are available for part or all of this tour. Please enquiry for details.
We will meet you at Girona airport or Caldes de Malavella station (if arriving from Barcelona) and transfer you to the Port of Palamos where you will spend the first three nights’ of the tour. The town has many restaurants and tapas bars. The last fishing fleet on the Costa Brava is based here so seafood is very much on the menu. Bike fitting and a full briefing will be given.
Leaving Palamos to the south you will head first for Playa d’Aro and then on to the town of Sant Feliu de Guixols with its pretty seafront and tree lined esplanade. The road then follows close to the sea winding around the rocky coves. The views are spectacular on this wild part of the coast with some fantastic properties perched high up on the cliffs. After a hard 15 kilometres you will come to the pretty resort of Tossa de Mar with it ancient tower rising from the rocks on the seafront. Turning inland from here the route climbs away from the coast and on to Llagostera with its beautiful elevated church. From here the last climb of the day takes you up to Romanya with spectacular views to both Girona and the coast. The road home is all downhill back to Palamos.
Level: Moderate/Difficult
Distance: 80.70 km Max height: 325m Asc: 1109m Desc: 1110.
Again leaving Palamos to the south you will head for Calonge and over the pass of La Ganga through the forests of the Gavarres to the Biax Emporda capital of La Bisbal. The pretty village of Corsa is next where you will turn left on to the road for Monells. Another climb up over to Girona will keep the legs pumping. Here you can stop for lunch before turning back for the coast. This section is level so time to regain you energy before the final climb of the day. The last 5 km takes you through Platja d’Aro and back the the Hotel in Palamos.
Level: Difficult with some challenging climbs.
Distance: 98.40 km Max height: 374m Asc: 1135m Desc: 1135m
Today you will head for your second base in Figueres at the Hotel Duran situated right in the middle of the old part of town not far from the famous Dali Museum which you can visit when you are there. The route north goes through some pretty towns and villages before hitting the coast just north of L’Escala. Here you can visit the old Roman ruins of Empuries. Onwards through Sant Pere de Pescador you will turn inland and follow signs for Peralada. This is the main town of the wine area of Emporda where you can taste some of the local produce. The road turns west taking you to your hotel in Figueres. The route is much flatter today.
Level: Easy
Distance: 78.40 km Max height: 77m Asc: 349m Desc: 309m.
The route today takes you to Port Lligat where the famous artist Dali lived and worked for over 30 years. Heading east out of Figueres the road goes through the town of Castello d’Empuries and then skirts around the bay of Roses before climbing up and over to the pretty fishing village of Cadaques. There is only one road in and out so the climb has to be repeated on the way home. The vines of Emporda will cover the south facing lower slopes as you pass through some of the important estates in this area. The route is then reasonably gentle all the way back to Figueres.
Level: Moderate/Difficult
Distance: 74.80 km Max height: 285m Asc: 751m Desc: 750
The foothill of the Pyrenees feature on your journey today with a long gentle climb up to Sant Llorenc de la Muga at the start. The road continues on to Albanya before climbing steeply over the top top the pretty village of Llado. Besalu is next with its beautiful medieval bridge and Jewish quarter where you can see the old Baths. Your route turns south here and heads for Banyoles famous for its freshwater lake. There are some lovely lakeside restaurants for lunch. The road home takes you through some beautiful farming lands with stunning Masias at every village. Turning north you will pass through Vilamalla before arriving in Figueres.
Level: Moderate/Difficult with one significant climb.
Distance: 110km Max height: 538m Asc: 1579 Desc: 1590
After breakfast return to Barcelona by train or pick up to Girona airport.
Please Note: We endeavor to book your first choice of hotels, however occasionally we offer you an alternative hotel of the same standard. You will be notified of any hotel change at the time of booking.
After attending a conference in Barcelona we were looking to pick up a last minute road bike tour and Cycle Catalan were able to provide us with a 4 night/ 5 day option.. The road bikes were of a high standard Cannondale Evos and the routes provided us with some amazing scenery on small minor roads. The highlight was our stay in La Rectoria in the Garrotxa, very personal service and great food.We also loved the coastal town of Palamos and the tapas bars! Our only disappointment was that we couldn’t stay longer.
