TOUR DATE: April 18th – April 25th
A memorable and unique, fully supported six-day tour taking in the beautiful un-spoilt coast of Caalunya, the city of Girona, the Pyrenees and France, before returning again to the coast for a final day’s ride.
You will be starting in the coastal town of Palamos, then riding via Girona across the Pyrenees into France before crossing back into Spain, for an epic day back to Palamos. The week finishes with coastal ride along the cliff tops towards Tossa de Mar, one of the most spectacular coastal roads you will ever ride.
For the duration of the tour you will have a ride leader and a following vehicle. Each day when you leave your hotel your luggage will be transferred to the next hotel, ready for your arrival
Distance: 550km (340miles)
Ascent: 10,000m (32,800ft)
A representative from Cycle Catalan will meet you at Girona Airport and transfer you to the Hotel Trias in Palamos, where you can assemble your bike in our workshop or collect your rental bike.
Tonight you will eat in the hotel restaurant
Leaving Palamos we follow the coast for short while before heading inland. After 13km we start the first climb of 7km to Romanya de la Selva at 330m before a fantastic descent into Calonge where you start the next 6km climb to 220m, over the Gavares ridge followed by 10km descent into La Bisbal, where we will stop for a well needed break before the final effort into Girona.
Leaving Bisbal behind we have a few small hills before you tackle the popular Els Angels climb and the stunning views across the region. We tackle it from the more demanding Madremanya side 5.6km with an average gradient of 6%. Then the final 14km descent into Girona.
You will spend the night in Girona and the Hotel Carlymany.
Distance:78km / 49miles Ascent: 1300m / 4,265ft
Today you will tackle the hidden gem of a climb, 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 a 14km descent the road rolls for a while before the last climb of the day to 600m, then a decent into Joanetes where you will spend the night in the 4 star Hotel Val De Bas.
Distance: 90km / 56miles Ascent: 1,710m / 5,610ft
OPTION
For those that have not had enough climbing when reaching the hotel you can tackle the 660m, 8.5km climb to the Coll de Bracons standing at 1,132m or 3,714ft. You could even descend the other side into Sant Pere de Torello before returning the way you came to get nearly 2,000m of climbinh in just 44km.
Today you will cross the Pyrenees into France across the Col de Ares, a steady 18km climb up to the highest point of the tour at 1,500m. Stop at the the top for refreshments before continuing into France. To reward your climb, you now have a 38km descent into France for the night’s stop in the 3 star Grand Hotel Reine in the town of Amélie-les-Bains-Palada.
Distance: 110km / 68miles Ascent: 2,500m / 8,200ft
After the exsersions of the week, you have an easy recovery day today, gentle run down to the French coast where you will have a relaxing afternoon before heading back over the Pyrenees the following day.
For those wanting more miles there will be an optional loop once you reach the French coast.Distance:
40km / 25miles Ascent: 300m / 1000ft Decent: 530m / 1700ft
A day to remember and a challenge to embrace. We head back over the Pyrenees again the following a beatiful winding road hugging the coast before finally turning inland for a flat run home, where you will return to the Hotel Trias. Truely a cycling day to remember day to remember.
Along the way you will travel through the medieval villages of the Biax Emporda wine region.
Distance: 135km / 84miles Ascent: 2,600m / 8,500ft
Option 1 – Farewell coastal ride
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.
71km / 44miles 1,400/ 4,600ft Ascent
Option 2 – Take It Easy
After the efforts of the week, today is a recovery day. There will be a ride to the neighbouring towns of Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc. Or just chill in Palamos for the day, your choice.
32km / 20miles
With either option in te evening we explore the town and eat in one of the local restaurants or experience one of the many Tapas bars.
Transfer back to Girona airport or Express Bus from Palamos to Barcelona (cost approximately €14 or Barcelona airport €19)
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.
