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8 days, 7 nights
Gravel Biking
Coast, Cultural, Mountains
Self-guided
Ride the world capital of gravel cycling — Come for the gravel. Stay for Girona.
Girona has become one of the world’s great cycling destinations, and for gravel riders it is something truly special. Here, ancient farm tracks, forest roads, quiet country lanes and rougher mountain trails create an extraordinary network of riding, stretching from the foothills of the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean coast. It is a landscape made for exploration: remote enough to feel adventurous, yet connected by a remarkable network of gravel routes and historic rural roads.
This 8-day journey takes you deep into the heart of Girona’s gravel paradise, beginning in the Alt Empordà and following a spectacular route towards the Costa Brava before finishing with several outstanding circular rides from Girona. Along the way, you will discover the wild landscapes of Cap de Creus, medieval villages, vineyards and olive groves, protected wetlands, volcanic landscapes, the forests of Les Gavarres and the beautiful shores of Banyoles.
The riding itself is wonderfully varied. Expect everything from fast, flowing hard-packed farm tracks and smooth gravel roads to forest trails, rolling backroads and more demanding mountain sections. Some stages are challenging and adventurous, while others allow you to settle into a beautiful rhythm and simply enjoy the landscape. A gravel bike with around 40 mm tyres is ideal for the terrain, giving you the freedom to explore routes that would be impossible on a conventional road bike.
And this is much more than a cycling holiday. We have carefully selected excellent hotels and charming rural properties, chosen for their character, location and quality, so that each day ends somewhere special. You will also experience the exceptional food of Catalonia: fresh local produce, traditional Empordà cuisine, excellent wines, seafood from the Costa Brava, and the outstanding gastronomy for which Girona and its surrounding region are famous. Cycling here is naturally combined with eating well, discovering villages and enjoying the Catalan way of life.
The final days are based in Girona itself — one of Europe’s most celebrated cycling hubs and a true mecca for cyclists from around the world. From here, you can ride directly from the old town into the countryside, with spectacular gravel adventures in Les Gavarres, the volcanic Garrotxa and around Lake Banyoles. Girona’s cycling culture is everywhere: bike shops, cafés filled with riders, professional cyclists, major gravel events and an established infrastructure designed around cycling.
One of Girona’s greatest advantages is its climate. Unlike many European cycling destinations, gravel riding is possible for much of the year. The best conditions are generally found from March to June and from September to November, when temperatures are comfortable and the countryside is at its most beautiful. April, May, October and November are particularly attractive for riders looking for cooler temperatures and excellent trail conditions. Spring brings green landscapes and wildflowers, while autumn offers softer light, warmer colours and superb riding conditions.
The hottest months of July and August can still be enjoyed by experienced riders, particularly with early starts and routes at higher elevations, but for the ultimate gravel experience we recommend travelling in spring or autumn.
This is Girona at its best: exceptional gravel, spectacular landscapes, wonderful hotels, outstanding food and a cycling culture unlike anywhere else in Europe.
Your adventure begins in the historic Catalan city of Figueres. Arrive at your leisure, settle into your hotel, and spend the afternoon wandering the charming old town. Be sure to visit the world-famous Salvador Dalí Museum to submerge yourself in surrealism before you swap art galleries for the gravel trails tomorrow.
Distance: 66,3 km / + 1179m / -1221m / 44% gravel A first day on the gravel and small backroads of North or “Alt” Emporda. You climb out of Figueres, through fields and pine forest towards the north and the border with France. In the distance you can see the peaks of the Pyrenees but our route takes you along the tiny villages on the lower Pyrenees where the itinerary is marked by continuous ups and downs. A quick stop at the ancient monastery of Sant Quirze de Colera in a beautiful valley, before you continue towards the rugged coast of the Costa Brava. Past the village of Vilamaniscle you have a series of demanding climbs before descending to the coastal town of Llança, where you will spend the night.
Your route cuts straight across this legendary, moon-like peninsula before dropping you into the iconic, whitewashed coastal village of Cadaqués—the perfect spot to pause, sit by the water, and enjoy a well-earned coffee stop. From Cadaqués, a final series of coastal dirt tracks guides you down to the bustling bay of Roses. Leaving the sea temporarily behind, you will head inland to navigate the medieval streets of Castelló d'Empúries. The final 30 km offer a welcome reward for your morning efforts: a flat, fast cruise through agricultural fields, protected marshlands, and along sandy beach paths until you roll into L'Escala. Your fantastic hotel sits right on the beach, just a short walk from the historic old town.
Distance: 44,5 km / +398m / - 334m / 72% gravel Tackle a sharp, demanding gravel climb straight out of the coast through the protected Montgrí Nature Reserve, rewarding your legs with panoramic Mediterranean views. From there, drop down into the flat plains of the Lower Empordà for a fast, dreamlike cruise along hard-packed agricultural tracks weaving through quiet rice fields, tranquil marshlands, and ancient stone villages. Your epic point-to-point journey concludes as the trails roll you effortlessly into the vibrant, narrow cobbled streets of Girona—the undisputed global capital of gravel cycling.
Distance: 71 km / +931m / - 902m / 54% gravel This rugged backcountry loop takes you deep into the heart of the wild Les Gavarres massif for a true gravel adventure. Rolling directly out of the cycling hub of Girona, the route features a long, demanding forest climb up to Puig d'Arques, the highest peak in the mountain range, where you are rewarded with sweeping panoramic views. From the summit, you will navigate remote, forested ridges past the historic landmarks of Els Metges and Montnegre before enjoying a fast, unpaved descent into the quiet valleys of Quart. The ride wraps up with a smooth, flat spin back into Girona's old town, making a tire width of 40mm or larger ideal for tackling the mix of loose hardpack and punchy mountain climbs along the way.
Distance: 106 km / +1257m / - 1087m / 38% gravel Leave the historic city of Girona behind as you embark on a multi-regional gravel / tarmac loop, initially heading west toward Anglès before following the sweeping greenways up into the spectacular volcanic landscapes of Santa Pau. From the dark volcanic soils of the Garrotxa, the trail transitions into rolling forest tracks that drop down to the crystal-clear, shimmering waters of Lake Banyoles—the perfect oasis for a quick mid-ride pause. The final leg treats your legs to fast, flowing agricultural trails that ease you right back into the ancient city gates, completing a perfect, loop exploration of Girona’s surrounding three counties
Distance: 54,5 km / +572m / - 533m / 36% gravel This beautifully fluid gravel tour kicks off from the world-class cycling hub of Girona, guiding riders northward through a seamless mix of packed dirt paths and quiet rural lanes. The route curves naturally through the tranquil Catalan countryside before arriving at the crystal-clear waters of Lake Banyoles. After tracing the scenic shores of the lake, the itinerary loops back southward, utilizing rolling farm trails and backroads to ensure a traffic-free, authentic gravel experience all the way back into the heart of Girona's historic old town
Enjoy one last morning espresso in the cobblestone streets of the old town before packing your bags. Your legendary multi-day gravel odyssey has come to a close, leaving you with tired legs, a sun-kissed face, and a mind full of unforgettable memories from the Pyrenees to the Costa Brava. It is time to say goodbye to the ultimate gravel paradise, carrying the spirit of Catalonia’s finest dirt home with you. Safe travels on your journey onward—until the next adventure, Girona awaits your return!
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