Gravel
Girona

Gravel Girona

A unique journey from Girona to the vibey Mediterranean port of Cadaqués and into the Pyrenees mountains.

Girona is well known as the perfect roadie destination, but the city and the surrounding Catalan countryside have way more to offer than the much-loved paved roads of the many PRO cyclists who live in the area. Go Beyond Tarmac and discover the real beauty of this fascinating region.

Overview

Details

Next Departure

September 24th 2023

From

USD $3,695

Duration

7 days / 6 nights

Non-Rider Friendly

No

Rental Bike

USD $500

Ride Program

Total Distance

Total Elevation

Daily Av. Distance

Daily Av. Elevation

Overview

Join us for a magnificent Beyond Tarmac loop around Girona and the Catalan countryside.

From the narrow streets of the old city with it’s trendy cafés and bike shops, the route heads east towards the Mediterranean Coast and the magical town of Cadaqués, where Salvador Dalí worked his wonders.

Leaving behind the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean we ride into the Garrotxa National Park, famous for its now extinct volcanoes and the Fageda d’en Jorda, one of the most stunning beech tree forests in Europe. A spectacular ride high above the Sau River valley cliffs take us to one of the most scenic hotels in Spain before the final day ride back to Girona – and a night out in the old town!

Video

Get a glimpse of what to expect in our short film following the Thomson ride leaders on our reconnaissance trip through Girona and Catalonia

Trip Technical Difficulty

1
2
3
Mixed terrain gravel, from perfect double tracks to flowy singletrack. Possibly a few more technical sections, overall what most people would recognise as “classic gravel”.

Ride Surfaces

Grade 1
30%
Grade 2
30%
Grade 3
25%
Grade 4
10%
Grade 5
5%

Bike Setup Recommendations

Recommended Tires

700×40

A minimum 700×40, but feel free to use more rubber for more comfort and grip if your bike has extra tire clearance.

Recommended Gearing

38T × 11-42

We recommend a minimum gear ratio of 0.90 using a 38T chainring × 42 rear cog (or equivalent). Check your gear ratios at www.bikecalc.com/gear_ratios.


Gravel Explained

Read below for a brief description of our gravel definitions. We have classed the surfaces into five categories, from tarmac to boulders, to give an indication of the amount and level of rough stuff on each trip.

Click below to see Cycling Tips’ great explainer video on gravel surfaces.
GRADE 1
Bad roads, cobbles and rough paved surfaces. You’d find this rideable on a standard road bike.
GRADE 2
Well-made, hard-packed dirt roads offering a road-like experience but without the traffic. Some rutting and looseness of stones.
GRADE 3
Reasonably smooth gravel. Discernible small rocks over a hard-packed surface.
GRADE 4
Rough gravel with conditions that may include shale, larger gravel and rocks. Tubeless tyres and big clearance are the most practical choice.
GRADE 5
Borderline MTB terrain, at the rougher end of the spectrum for the capabilities of most gravel bikes.

Cycling helmet, sunglasses and shoes illustration

Itinerary

Day Description Distance Elevation Hotel
01 Welcome to Girona Hotel CMC Girona
02 From Girona to the Mediterranean Hotel Boutique Can Picó
03 Magical Cadaqués Hotel Sol Ixent Cadaqués
04 Banyoles via Cap de Creus Natural Park Hotel Arcada de Fares
05 Into the Pyrenees Hotel l’Avenc
06 Back to Girona Hotel CMC Girona
07 Adeu!
Daily Averages
Itinerary View Itinerary View
Map View Map View
01
02
03
04
05
06
07

Itinerary Detail

Day 1

Distance

Elevation


Welcome to Girona

Your trip starts at Barcelona Airport where our staff will meet you before the transfer to your hotel in Girona, next to the old town and close to the classic cyclist hotspots in town.

After lunch, orientation meeting and bike build-up, you’ll head out for your first ride in the hills of Girona.

Day 2

Distance

Elevation


From Girona to the Mediterranean

We are saying goodbye to Girona and heading East to meet the Mediterranean coast, riding through endless fields of green grass, small medieval towns and perfect double tracks. As with all our gravel trips, we also make use of some secondary paved and b-roads with the least traffic possible to connect the best gravel segments.

Tip: today’s stage starts with a climb to get out of Girona, followed by a mainly flat terrain for the rest of the day, but there is a last steep climb to get to L’Escala, so save some power for that last segment.

Day 3

Distance

Elevation


Magical Cadaqués

A favorite stage for the crew. After leaving L`Escala, we hit the Aiguamolls de L’Emporda (a flat Delta) until mid-stage where we arrive to Roses, the town where the world famous El Bulli restaurant is located. Not stopping there to eat though… Here is where the “magic” starts, with one of the best kept secrets in the region, a perfect gravel trail that rides next to idyllic turquoise waters and cliffs before getting to the small fishing town of Cadaqués, where Salvador Dalí created most of his art, and one of the most beautiful villages in Catalonia.

Tip: the last downhill to get to Cadaqués can get a bit rocky, loose and technical after a long day in the saddle, so take it easy and don’t get distracted by the spectacular views!

Map & Profile

Read our Gravel Explainer for a full description of our gravel definitions.

Grade 1
40%
Grade 2
25%
Grade 3
20%
Grade 4
10%
Grade 5
5%

Read our Gravel Explainer for a full description of our gravel definitions.

Grade 1
30%
Grade 2
20%
Grade 3
25%
Grade 4
15%
Grade 5
10%

Read our Gravel Explainer for a full description of our gravel definitions.

Grade 1
35%
Grade 2
20%
Grade 3
10%
Grade 4
20%
Grade 5
15%

Surface Details

Day 01
Day 02
Day 03
Day 04
Day 05
Day 06

Dates & Prices Illustration

Dates & Prices



Date Booking Status Availability Price / Per Person Single Supplement Non-rider Discount
2023
Sep 24 - 30
Taking Bookings
Places Available
USD $3,695
USD $650
USD $690
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    Trip Hotels

    Hotel CMC Girona

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    Hotel Boutique Can Picó

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    Hotel Sol Ixent Cadaqués

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    Hotel Arcada de Fares

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    Hotel l’Avenc

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    What's Included

    What's Included What's Not Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 7 days / 6 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Lunch on the 1st day
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up and Drop-Off at Barcelona El Prat Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • 1 x Support Van & 4WD vehicle
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties
    • Bottled water
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities
    What's Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 7 days / 6 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Lunch on the 1st day
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up and Drop-Off at Barcelona El Prat Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • 1 x Support Van & 4WD vehicle
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties
    • Bottled water
    What's Not Included
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities

    Travel details - airport departures

    Pick-up/Drop-off Info

    Arrival

    Pickup Location Time

    Barcelona, El Prat Airport

    9:00am

    OR

    TRYP Barcelona Airport Hotel

    View website arrow

    9:00am

    Departure

    Drop Off Location Time

    Barcelona, El Prat Airport

    9:30am


    Rental Bikes

    Frame

    Felt Breed 20

    Groupset

    SRAM Force 1

    Weight

    9.35kg (size 54)

    Wheels

    Devox Wheels RDS.A0 GXA | 30/21

    Chainrings

    36 or 38 (depending on trip)

    Cassette

    11-42

    Sizes

    47, 51, 54, 56, 58

    Price

    USD $500

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    Gravel Girona

    A unique "beyond tarmac" experience in the Catalan countryside around Girona.


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