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Catalonia & Costa Brava, Spain Road Bike Tour for Stronger Cyclists: Embark on a self-guided road bike tour through the stunning backcountry of Catalonia and the quiet roads of the Costa Brava, perfect for avid climbers seeking both challenge and adventure. Starting in Barcelona and ending in the cycling haven of Girona, famed for its appearance in Game of Thrones, this tour features loop rides that let you enjoy comfortable accommodations without daily hotel changes. With constant climbs and rewarding routes, you’ll have time to explore medieval towns and villages while savoring Catalonia’s reputation as a food and wine paradise, with excellent dining and cozy hotels ensuring you refuel in style. This road bike tour offers an ideal blend of challenging terrain and cultural richness, ticking all the boxes for stronger cyclists.
Tour starts in Barcelona and finishes in Girona; return transfer to Barcelona is included.
Not Included: Choice of Bike Rental
Included Deluxe Hotels – Standard Option:
About Your Stay: Enjoy 6 nights in charming 3- and 4-star hotels, each reflecting the authentic spirit of Catalonia. All accommodations feature private bathrooms and a range of amenities for a comfortable experience. Rooms are standard double category, with breakfast daily. Room upgrades may be available—please inquire for details.
Local Experts: Angel and Nora, based at the home base bike shop in Barcelona’s elegant Eixample district, will provide logistics and backup support throughout your journey. Both have turned their passion for bikes and bike touring into a profession and love sharing their local knowledge with visitors. From hidden gems to the best restaurants and local traditions, Angel and Nora are here to ensure your experience in Catalonia and Barcelona is unforgettable.
This morning, meet at our local bike shop at 10:00 AM (available Tuesday to Saturday) for your tour briefing and bike set-up before beginning your cycling adventure! A short climb takes you into the Collserola Natural Park, Barcelona’s largest green space, home to thousands of plant species like Aleppo pines, evergreen oaklands, riverside copses, and grasslands. At the park’s peak, enjoy breathtaking views of Barcelona before a thrilling downhill ride to Sant Cugat del Vallès and onward to Cerdanyola.
The journey continues with rolling hills through charming villages surrounding Barcelona, leading to your destination for the night: Caldes de Montbui. This picturesque Thermal Village, nestled at the foot of Farrel Mountain in the Riera de Caldes valley, is renowned for its natural hot springs and stunning surroundings—offering a perfect ending to your first day on the trail.
Distance: 42 km / 26 mi, +870m
Highlights: Collserola Natural Park, Caldes de Montbui
Overnight: Caldes de Montbui
Today’s ride is a spectacular loop on peaceful secondary roads with little to no traffic. As you cycle through gentle rolling hills, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views over the Vallès valley and pass through several charming villages. St. Llorenç Savall, famed for its exceptional seafood, makes for an ideal spot to pause and refuel. Gallifa, another quaint village, offers a delightful route to enjoy, while Sant Feliu de Codines and El Farell provide fantastic vantage points as two of the highest locations in Vallès. After your adventure, return to your hotel and unwind with a relaxing evening.
Meals: breakfast
Distance: 57 km / 35 mi, +982m; optional El Farell climb +20km
Highlights: St. Llorenc Saval, Gallifa, Saint Feliu de Codines, El Farrell
Overnight: Caldes de Montbui
Today’s ride takes you through the beautiful forest of Sant Miquel and Centelles, leading to the tranquil valley of Vic. Along the way, cycle rolling hills through the stunning La Plana del Vic. Stop at Sant Miquel del Fai, where you can explore its extraordinary medieval abbey, a Romanesque chapel built within a grotto and surrounded by forest, steep cliffs, and a breathtaking waterfall over 100 meters high. Your destination for the night is Vic, a charming town nestled on the banks of the Meder River and set on the picturesque plain of La Plana del Vic, with lush green hills and views of the majestic Pyrenees peaks. Immerse yourself in the authentic Spanish lifestyle as you unwind in this idyllic setting.
Meals: breakfast
Distance: 65 km / 40 mi, +1,200m; option to extend to Sau Lake
Highlights: Optional ride : Ride to Sau Lake
Overnight: Vic
Today’s ride is a serene loop from your home base in Vic, allowing you to begin the day at your own pace. Pedal through the peaceful quiet roads of Llucanès, where gently rolling hills guide your journey. Along the way, take in the scenic charm of traditional farming houses and expansive forested areas, creating a perfect blend of relaxation and natural beauty. This idyllic route offers a refreshing escape into the tranquil countryside.
Meals: breakfast
Distance: 58 km / 36 mi, +850m
Highlights: Vic exploration
Overnight: Vic
Travel from Vic to the renowned city of Girona, passing through the picturesque town of Sant Hilari Sacalm, celebrated for its rejuvenating hot springs and medicinal waters. This stunning landscape, featuring caves, mountains, and valleys, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and a favorite among cyclists. If time allows, make a stop to admire the remarkable 10th-century Gothic and Romanesque chapel, a true gem of the area. Continue your ride through the expansive Les Guilleries-Savassona Natural Area, covering over 9,000 hectares of diverse flora and fauna. The natural beauty of this region makes it an unforgettable part of your journey.
Meals: breakfast
Distance: 83 km / 52 mi, +1400m
Highlights: Sant Hillari Sacalm, Guillerires
Overnight: Girona
On your last day of riding in the Costa Brava, you have two fantastic route options to choose from:
– Explore the secondary roads of Empordà, immersing yourself in the charm of its medieval villages and timeless landscapes.
– Opt for the iconic Costa Brava coastal roads, cycling alongside the Mediterranean Sea and soaking in the breathtaking views of the sparkling coastline.
Whichever route you choose, this day promises to be a memorable conclusion to your Costa Brava cycling adventure!
Meals: breakfast
Distance: 63 km / 39 mi, +870m or 115 km / 71 mi, +1,800m
Highlights: La Bisbal d’Emporda Madremanya, Sant Feliu de Guixols, Sant Antoni de Calange, Les Gavarees
Overnight: Girona
As your Costa Brava cycling tour comes to an end, take the morning at your leisure and enjoy your included breakfast. At 10:30 AM, we provide your comfortable return transfer to Barcelona, ensuring a smooth transition. If you’d like to extend your stay or explore additional activities in Barcelona, our experts are happy to assist with planning and recommendations—just let us know at the time of booking, and we’ll handle all the arrangements to make your departure seamless and memorable.
Meals: breakfast
2025 Tour Rates: (based on double occupancy)
Superior Three & Four Star Hotels:
Choice of Bike Rentals:
New! Travel Insurance is now required to participate in this tour. You can book through our preferred vendors or your own. Proof of coverage will be required.
From the planning experience, to the logistics of working with Pure Adventures to the actual riding, this was one of the best bicycling experiences of my many years of peddling. We rode many of the same rodes as the great cyclists of our time. The lodging was amazing and the transportation of our equipment was exceptional. There is absolutely nothing that they could have done better. The riding around Girona and from Vic to Girona was quite possibly the best riding of my life. The roads were not busy, were very narrow, and, if you did see a car, they were the utmost of bicycle friendly. Thank you so much for bringing me some of the best riding of my very long riding career! Sign up today…you will not regret any of the experience. You all could not have done anything better!
We highly recommend the Barcelona to Girona Road Bike Tour! It was perfect for us, great scenery on backroads, lovely hotels and interesting medieval towns. This was our second tour with Pure Adventures and will do more in the future!
Brian and I booked this pretty much at the last minute and Pure Adventures made it all happen. This was honestly the highlight of our entire trip to Europe. We would book again with Pure Adventures and we would go back to Spain in a heartbeat.
Our Girona trip went really well and your Barcelona partners do a really great job. You clearly have vetted every aspect of the tour. We were very pleased with the bikes, the routes were very beautiful and the hotels good. Definitely a memorable experience! Thanks, Mar, for all your help, from start to finish! Besos from Chile!
Fun trip for a couple of crazy couples that like to eat, drink, and ride bikes! Thank you to Loren and Pure Adventures for the excellent arrangements, we will be back!