Experience Overview
Cycling pros rate Girona and the coast in Catalonia among the best destinations on the planet. Find out why on this exciting two-wheel adventure. Led by an expert guide, we pedal between historic villages via disused railway lines, quiet small roads and coastal paths, while also challenging ourselves against some climbs. To break up the journeys – and to learn more about the local culture and history – we also enjoy guided tours around medieval towns and even stop at a local wine estate for a memorable tasting session.
Profile
— Five days of cycling with partial vehicle support — 50 percent paved roads and 50 percent mix of cycling gravel paths, tracks and off road sections — Some climbs — Quiet roads with a good mix of flat and rolling terrain — Group normally 6 to 16 plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Accommodation: 3 Superior nights (hotel), 3 Classic nights (hotel) —
E-bikes available for an additional cost — Option to travel by train to your adventure
At a Glance
— Five days of cycling with partial vehicle support — 50 percent paved roads and 50 percent mix of cycling gravel paths, tracks and off road sections — Some climbs — Quiet roads with a good mix of flat and rolling terrain — Group normally 6 to 16 plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Accommodation: 3 Superior nights (hotel), 3 Classic nights (hotel) —
E-bikes available for an additional cost — Option to travel by train to your adventure
Trip For You
This trip is classified Road and Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
Five days of cyclingAverage distance: 24mi (38km) per dayPartial vehicle supportTerrain and route: 50 percent on quiet minor roads and 50 percent on a mixture of cycle paths, non-technical tracks and a few off-road sections
Please note, wearing a cycling helmet is compulsory on this trip.
If you are unsure about tackling five days of self-powered cycling but are keen to experience this trip, we recommend an e-bike (additional charge applies). Our guides are experienced in managing groups with both push bikes and e-bikes, and many of our clients enjoy the flexibility that an e-bike offers. Please speak to us if you would like to add this option to your booking.
The first couple of days of cycling follow disused railway lines, so we cycle on good off-road tracks with some paved sections. The rest of the trip is on quieter paved backroads and some good off-road sections. The most difficult day is the last day of cycling when we cycle the longest distance (37mi/60km) and tackle the biggest accumulated climb. The support vehicle will be available throughout this day, so you can jump in at any point. This trip is ideal for confident cyclists who exercise regularly and have a good level of fitness.
Group Description
There will be a local cycling leader and an assistant leader driving the support vehicle.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts are included and will be continental with cold cheese, meats and bread, plus pastries, tea and coffee.
Vegetarians: While a meat-and-fish diet is the norm in Spain, many vegetarians have not experienced any problems here. However, please note the choice of vegetarian and vegan meals may not be as extensive as you are used to.
Mealtimes in Spain are later than in many other countries; dinner is usually taken between 9pm and 9.30pm.
Transportation
Transfers to and from the airport will be by private vehicle (normally minibus). While cycling, the vehicle will carry your baggage and be available to assist or if you choose to sit out a section of the ride. A guide cycles with the group.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Hotel Catalonia Sagrada Familia, C. d’Aragó, 08026 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 932 45 89 05
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Barcelona Airport (BCN)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 30 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
The climate in Catalonia is Mediterranean with mild temperatures and most rain falling in winter, but also possible in all other months. Seasons are marked, with pleasant temperatures in the spring, summer and autumn. Heatwaves can hit between mid-June and September. For this reason, we avoid departures during the hottest months of July and August. In April and October, expect temperatures around 5C-25C (41F-77F). May, June and September are typically sunny and warm with temperatures of 10C-30C (50F-86F).
Spending Money
Catalonia is one of the most expensive regions in Spain but food and drink will be reasonably priced. We recommend you allow approximately €50 per day for meals, coffees and other drinks. So approximately €350 overall; however, this depends on which restaurants you choose.
Local taxes: Catalonia have introduced a tourist tax for non-residents. The local administration oversees the tax, which will be collected by the accommodation provider at check-in or check-out. This fee varies depending on the hotel category, the season and number of days of stay. It is usually between €1 and €5 per person per night. For this trip, please allow approximately €10 - €15 for the week.
Tipping
Although optional, a tip for the leader at the end of the trip is greatly appreciated. As a guideline we recommend a contribution between €20 and €25 per client per week. It is also customary to leave a tip for the driver. This can be handed to your leader at the end of the trip. For your driver, we recommend approximately €15-€20 per person.
Highlights
— Cycle along car-free paths reserved for bike riders and walkers — Discover the beautiful Catalan countryside on two wheels — Enjoy several opportunities for swimming in the Mediterranean Sea — Visit the medieval towns of Besalu, Begur and Pals — Visit a winery for a wine-tasting sessionTrip Details
Product Code: 4107
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: he group.
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: MEQ
Starts: Barcelona, Catalonia
Finishes: Barcelona, Catalonia
Duration: 7 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Average
Includes
— All breakfasts — All accommodation — Airport transfers — Local bike hireAccommodation
HotelsSpend six nights in three to four-star hotels, each chosen for their comfort and location. Some hotels have a swimming pool and/or a sea view. Barcelona: Hotel Catalonia Sagrada Familia Begin the adventure at this contemporary hotel, just a 15-minute walk from Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia – an icon of the city. If the sun is shining, head to the solarium/pool area for a dip and to make use of the loungers. The hotel also has a gym plus a gastro-bar serving international and Mediterranean dishes, cocktails and more. Girona: Hotel Gran Ultonia With a spot in the heart of the city, this 71-room hotel has an ideal location. Post ride, there’s no better spot to relax than the rooftop cocktail bar, which has views of the Old Town, cathedral and, they say, the best sunset in Girona. The next morning, fuel up with the buffet breakfast, which includes local produce. Calella de Palafrugell: Hotel Alga Enjoy a post-cycle dip in the pool or relax on a sun lounger when you arrive at the Hotel Alga. Elsewhere, El Càntir restaurant, helmed by chef Pere Malagelada, serves a selection of Mediterranean dishes made with seasonal local produce, plus there’s a snack bar by the pool serving coffee, tea and cocktails. Torroella de Montgri: Hotel Moli del Mig Stay in a 15th-century mill revamped and restored into a modern hotel by architect Josep M. Deulofeu. The 32 rooms have been designed to embrace the natural beauty of the rural landscape, while the restaurant makes use of the local produce. Additionally, the hotel has a swimming pool, wellness hub and padel courts. Besalú: Els Jardins De La Martana End the trip with a stay at this 11-room hotel, which sits right next to the medieval bridge of Besalú. You can gather as a group to recount your adventures together in the living room or unwind in the wood-paneled library. There’s also a private jacuzzi available to rent (€20 per hour).
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 4655 (CAD 665 /day)
Itinerary
We start the trip in Barcelona, a captivating city of quirky landmarks and excellent cuisine. Our cycling starts tomorrow but the adventure begins immediately as we take advantage of our time here with a guided walking tour. Stops include La Rambla, La Boqueria Market, the Christopher Columbus statue, Barcelona Cathedral and the Gothic Quarter. After, we get to know each other a little better with a trip briefing and our first meal as a group. Accommodation: Catalonia Sagrada Familia (or similar)
After breakfast, we have a transfer (approximately two hours) to Olot where we fine tune our bikes before we start cycling in Garrotxa National Park. This is the perfect place to get used to our bikes as we follow The Carrilet, a car-free path reserved for cyclists and walkers that follows a disused narrow-gauge railway. Today's route includes some easy gradual climbing during the first 7.5mi (12km) and then a long gentle descent through the countryside until we reach the medieval town of Girona, a hotspot for cycling pros for more than two decades. This evening, we have a guided walking tour of the town, visiting the old quarter and the Jewish quarter, before ending in La Rambla de la Llibertat, the culture-soaked main street in Girona, where we find somewhere for dinner. Accommodation: Hotel Gran Ultonia (or similar)
We continue cycling along the car-free Carrilet until we reach the Mediterranean Sea in Sant Feliu de Guixols. We start with a short uphill section to reach Llagostera, where we stop for refreshments, and then enjoy an easy long descent to the Costa Brava coast. We stop for lunch before boarding the bus for a transfer (approximately 30 minutes) to our destination for the next two nights, Calella de Palafrugell. Our hotel is within walking distance of the coast, so take the chance for a swim at one of the nearby beaches. Accommodation: Hotel Alga (or similar)
Today's ride follows a circular route south of Calella to Palamos and back. During our journey to Palamos, we travel through the colourful market town of Palafrugell, where we stop to check out the local produce and enjoy a coffee while watching the market in action. After, we cycle using another disused railway to the fishing town of Palamos and visit the unspoiled sandy beach of Castell. This afternoon, we cycle back to Calella, stopping at a winery to sample their produce. Accommodation: Hotel Alga (or similar)
We start cycling after breakfast, leaving the coast behind and travelling inland to the walled medieval town of Begur. Today is one of the most scenic days as we cycle past farmlands, sunflower fields and through the gothic walled towns of Begur and Pals. We have a chance to jump off our bikes to explore both towns, and for lunch we can sample the local paella recipe in Pals. This afternoon, we have a mainly flat route on quiet roads and gravel tracks that will take us through various villages until we reach our hotel in the town of Torroella de Montgri. Accommodation: Hotel Moli del Mig (or similar)
Our final day of cycling will be our most challenging, as we travel the longest distance and have the biggest accumulated climb, but it is also one of the most picturesque as we travel through Catalan countryside using a combination of quieter backroads and gravel tracks. Our first stop is the town of Púbol, where artist Salvador Dalí bought a castle for his wife Gala. We then stop in San Esteban de Guialbes, where we have lunch and the opportunity to try the Catalan dish of snails and butifarra (a type of pork sausage). After, we ride to the town of Banyoles where our cycling ends. We then have a transfer (approximately 30 minutes) to our final destination, Besalu. After we check into our hotel and have had a chance to shower, we enjoy a walking guided tour of this medieval town. We will visit the 12th-century bridge, the Sant Pere Monastery and Saint Vincent Church. After, we enjoy our last group meal together and reflect on an incredible week of cycling. Accommodation: Els Jardins De La Martana (or similar)
Our adventure ends with a transfer from Besalu to Barcelona airport. If you’ve still got the appetite for a bit more exploration, speak to your sales representative to book further nights in our Barcelona hotel.
Similar Experiences
Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
Reviews
Joyanne Landers - Traveled, October 2023
Fascinating, Fantastic, Fun I’ve been on a lot of cycle tours. This was my first with Exodus. What an experience! I was impressed by the high level of organization and professionalism. Cycling through medieval villages, beautiful farmlands and some days overlooking the Mediterranean gave variety to each day. As did the multitude of trails and pathways. Each restaurant and hotel was specially chosen to offer a unique and quality experience. The leader had really done his homework and pointed out points of interest along the way. I appreciated the guided walks around each town in the evening. And, most importantly, we had a lot of fun! Most Inspirational Moment The town of Besalu with its winding streets, monastery and absolutely breathtaking12th Century Bridge. Thoughts on Group Leader Our leader was organized, professional, and patient. He was also a wealth of knowledge on each place we visited. Suggestions This was my first experience with Exodus, and I’ll be back for sure.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/16/2023
Malcolm P - Traveled, August 2023
Cycling Girona and the Catalan Coast The trip was excellent from start to finish. Most Inspirational Moment 2 nights in Calella de Palafrugell, the cycling using cycle lanes, the food, the variety of scenery throughout.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/18/2023
Joyanne L - Traveled, September 2023
Cycling Girona and the Catalan Coast My Catalonia cycle trip went beyond my expectations. Most Inspirational Moment The scenery in the farmlands and the medieval villages.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/28/2023
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