This tour takes in three of the most famous and challenging climbs around Girona, the Garrotxa Volcanic National Park and the exquisite coastal views on the road to Tossa de Mar and of course the pretty countryside of this area of Catalonia.
This is a three centre tour starting in the unique, secluded La Rectoria, one of our most popular hotels. Then three nights in Girona, three rides are planned form here but many take a rest day to explore the City. You then head to the coastal town of Palamos for your last day of riding or simply to take it easy on the beach.
The routes are challenging and require a reasonably 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.
You will be met at Girona airport or Flaca station (if arriving from Barcelona) and transferred to La Rectoria de San Miguel, a beautifully restored rectory where Roy and Goretti will assure you of a warm welcome. Roy was previously a chef at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh and Goretti a whisky taster at Glenmorangie so after dinner you may even get a fine Scottish whisky.
A full brief and bike fitting will be given.
Garrotxa Volvanic National Park
Today you will be exporing the Garrotxa volcanic national park. A truely spectacular region. You have two route options for the day
Option 1: A Hilly Start
If you want to start with a bang then tackle this beautiful if challenging route.
After a short ride down to Joanetes the climbing starts. 7km from 400m to 1100m with fantastic views along the way followed by a spectacular descent into Torello. You then follow the winding steady climb for the next 15km, average gradient is only about 5% followed by a short decent before the last short climb to the last col of the day, only 7km at an average of 3.5%. Now the last 13km decent and back to La Rectoria.
Double Espresso
Level: ChallengingDistance: 80km (60miles) Max height: 1,085m (3,500′) Asc: 1,500m (5,000′)
Option 2: Steady Start
Want to break yourself in a little bit more gradually then take this steadier, but still lovely route.
This time descend for 9km before turning into the mountains. The road snakes through the trees with just three short steady climbs before you arrive in Angles. From here you will steadily gain height, only 300m over 20km, until you arrive back at La Rectoria
Espresso
Level: Moderate / ChallengingDistance: 65km (40miles) Max height: 500m (1,640′) Asc: 1,050m (3,400′)
Leaving La Rectoria behind, today you will tackle the first of the three famous climbs of Girona, the Rocacorba. A 14km climb taking you to just short of 1,000m, with an average gradient of 6.5% but with some ramps of over 10%. After the climb with the exception of a few bumps you are rewarded to a 35km downhill to Girona. where you will check into the Hotel Llegendes.
There is the option to skip the final ascent to Rocacorba while still completing the same route.
Girona is a wonderful compact city with great restaurants. We would suggest dining at Le Bistrot or, for a more gastronomic experience, try the restaurant NU. We can book the dinner for you in advance.
Double Espresso
Level: ChallengingDistance: 96km (60miles) Max height: 980m (3,200′) Asc: 1,891m (6,200′)
Cappuccino
Level: ModerateDistance: 74km (46miles) Max height: 626m (2,050′) Asc: 880m (2,900′)
Free day in Girona, see the sights or perhaps book a guide for a walking tour of the city. Enjoy the evening in one of the many excellent restaurants. Perhaps take part in an authentic artisan cooking experience where you will be taught how to prepare a typical Catalan meal. We would be more than happy to recommend tours and experiences.
Optional Ride -Les Serres
Rolling day of riding today, you get to explore the beautiful hills that surround Girona. These roads are the training routes for many professional teams, so keep an eye out for famous riders.
Cappuccino
Level: ModerateDistance: 65km (40miles) Max height: 330m (1,080′) Asc: 820m (2,700′)
The Epic day, this is one of the toughest routes Girona has to offer, thanks to the notorious Mare de Déu (Mother of God) del Mont climb. A tough climb for sure but on super quite small roads, with fabulous views over the whole region.
The climb is a popular testing ground for the pros and with good reason: from Cabanelles it’s 18km with an average 5.4% gradient with a couple of 14% sections. Top Strava times are around 50 minutes.
Getting to and from the climb is a lovely trip through rolling countryside, every cyclist dreams. At roughly 40km it is decision time, turn right to start the climb or keep straight on to continue the rolling gentle ride.
Double Espresso
Level: ChallengingDistance: 120km (75miles) Max height: 1,085m (3,560′) Asc: 2,260m (7,200′)
Cappuccino
Level: ModerateDistance: 68km (42miles) Max height: 240m (790′) Asc: 880m (2,900′)
Leaving Girona, you tackle the third and final famous climb, Els Angels. At only 460m and 10km it is the shortest and easiest but most well known. A long descent from Els Angels followed by the easy climb over La Ganga, takes you to within touching distance of the coast before you tackle the final climb of the day to Romania de la Selva before descending to Palamos.
The route can be shortened by missing the final climb to Romania de la Selva.
Check in to Hotel Trias overlooking the beach and harbour.
Espresso
Level: ChallengingDistance: 77km (48miles) Max height: 470m (1,550′) Asc: 1,325m (4,350′)
Cappuccino
Level: Moderate / ChallengingDistance: 60km (37miles) Max height: 330(1080′) Asc: 800(2,600′)
Heading down to the coast you turn south this time and go through Platja d’Aro then on to Sant Feliu de Guixols. The next section hugs the coastline with some spectacular views before turning inland and heading back to Llagostera. This route can be lengthened to take in Tossa de Mar but this does make for a long day. After Llagostera you climb back up to Romanya de la Selva before enjoying the long free run down to Calonge, and then along the coast road back to Palamos.
Double Espresso
Level: ChallengingDistance: 77km (48miles) Max height: 323m (1,060′) Asc: 1,400m (4,600′)
Cappuccino
Level: Moderate / ChallengingDistance: 65km (40miles) Max height: 450m(1,470′) Asc: 1,000m (3,300′)
After a leisurely breakfast take the express bus to Barcelona from Palamos bus station (2 minutes from the hotel).
Transfer to Girona airport can be arranged for a small supplement.
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.
This tour takes in three of the most famous and challenging climbs around Girona, the Garrotxa Volcanic National Park and the exquisite coastal views on the road to Tossa de Mar and of course the pretty countryside of this area of Catalonia.
This is a three centre tour starting in the unique, secluded La Rectoria, one of our most popular hotels. Then three nights in Girona, three rides are planned form here but many take a rest day to explore the City. You then head to the coastal town of Palamos for your last day of riding or simply to take it easy on the beach.
The routes are challenging and require a reasonably 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.
You will be met at Girona airport or Flaca station (if arriving from Barcelona) and transferred to La Rectoria de San Miguel, a beautifully restored rectory where Roy and Goretti will assure you of a warm welcome. Roy was previously a chef at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh and Goretti a whisky taster at Glenmorangie so after dinner you may even get a fine Scottish whisky.
A full brief and bike fitting will be given.
Garrotxa Volvanic National Park
Today you will be exporing the Garrotxa volcanic national park. A truely spectacular region. You have two route options for the day
Option 1: A Hilly Start
If you want to start with a bang then tackle this beautiful if challenging route.
After a short ride down to Joanetes the climbing starts. 7km from 400m to 1100m with fantastic views along the way followed by a spectacular descent into Torello. You then follow the winding steady climb for the next 15km, average gradient is only about 5% followed by a short decent before the last short climb to the last col of the day, only 7km at an average of 3.5%. Now the last 13km decent and back to La Rectoria.
Double Espresso
Level: ChallengingDistance: 80km (60miles) Max height: 1,085m (3,500′) Asc: 1,500m (5,000′)
Option 2: Steady Start
Want to break yourself in a little bit more gradually then take this steadier, but still lovely route.
This time descend for 9km before turning into the mountains. The road snakes through the trees with just three short steady climbs before you arrive in Angles. From here you will steadily gain height, only 300m over 20km, until you arrive back at La Rectoria
Espresso
Level: Moderate / ChallengingDistance: 65km (40miles) Max height: 500m (1,640′) Asc: 1,050m (3,400′)
Leaving La Rectoria behind, today you will tackle the first of the three famous climbs of Girona, the Rocacorba. A 14km climb taking you to just short of 1,000m, with an average gradient of 6.5% but with some ramps of over 10%. After the climb with the exception of a few bumps you are rewarded to a 35km downhill to Girona. where you will check into the Hotel Llegendes.
There is the option to skip the final ascent to Rocacorba while still completing the same route.
Girona is a wonderful compact city with great restaurants. We would suggest dining at Le Bistrot or, for a more gastronomic experience, try the restaurant NU. We can book the dinner for you in advance.
Double Espresso
Level: ChallengingDistance: 96km (60miles) Max height: 980m (3,200′) Asc: 1,891m (6,200′)
Cappuccino
Level: ModerateDistance: 74km (46miles) Max height: 626m (2,050′) Asc: 880m (2,900′)
Free day in Girona, see the sights or perhaps book a guide for a walking tour of the city. Enjoy the evening in one of the many excellent restaurants. Perhaps take part in an authentic artisan cooking experience where you will be taught how to prepare a typical Catalan meal. We would be more than happy to recommend tours and experiences.
Optional Ride -Les Serres
Rolling day of riding today, you get to explore the beautiful hills that surround Girona. These roads are the training routes for many professional teams, so keep an eye out for famous riders.
Cappuccino
Level: ModerateDistance: 65km (40miles) Max height: 330m (1,080′) Asc: 820m (2,700′)
The Epic day, this is one of the toughest routes Girona has to offer, thanks to the notorious Mare de Déu (Mother of God) del Mont climb. A tough climb for sure but on super quite small roads, with fabulous views over the whole region.
The climb is a popular testing ground for the pros and with good reason: from Cabanelles it’s 18km with an average 5.4% gradient with a couple of 14% sections. Top Strava times are around 50 minutes.
Getting to and from the climb is a lovely trip through rolling countryside, every cyclist dreams. At roughly 40km it is decision time, turn right to start the climb or keep straight on to continue the rolling gentle ride.
Double Espresso
Level: ChallengingDistance: 120km (75miles) Max height: 1,085m (3,560′) Asc: 2,260m (7,200′)
Cappuccino
Level: ModerateDistance: 68km (42miles) Max height: 240m (790′) Asc: 880m (2,900′)
Leaving Girona, you tackle the third and final famous climb, Els Angels. At only 460m and 10km it is the shortest and easiest but most well known. A long descent from Els Angels followed by the easy climb over La Ganga, takes you to within touching distance of the coast before you tackle the final climb of the day to Romania de la Selva before descending to Palamos.
The route can be shortened by missing the final climb to Romania de la Selva.
Check in to Hotel Trias overlooking the beach and harbour.
Espresso
Level: ChallengingDistance: 77km (48miles) Max height: 470m (1,550′) Asc: 1,325m (4,350′)
Cappuccino
Level: Moderate / ChallengingDistance: 60km (37miles) Max height: 330(1080′) Asc: 800(2,600′)
Heading down to the coast you turn south this time and go through Platja d’Aro then on to Sant Feliu de Guixols. The next section hugs the coastline with some spectacular views before turning inland and heading back to Llagostera. This route can be lengthened to take in Tossa de Mar but this does make for a long day. After Llagostera you climb back up to Romanya de la Selva before enjoying the long free run down to Calonge, and then along the coast road back to Palamos.
Double Espresso
Level: ChallengingDistance: 77km (48miles) Max height: 323m (1,060′) Asc: 1,400m (4,600′)
Cappuccino
Level: Moderate / ChallengingDistance: 65km (40miles) Max height: 450m(1,470′) Asc: 1,000m (3,300′)
After a leisurely breakfast take the express bus to Barcelona from Palamos bus station (2 minutes from the hotel).
Transfer to Girona airport can be arranged for a small supplement.
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.
