Volta a Girona
with Dan Sullivan

The two most iconic climbs in the Girona area are the climb to Els Angels and Rocacorba. Later in the week you’ll have the opportunity to climb to Rocacorba, today we’ll ride the classic Els Angels climb from the Girona side.

From the hotel you’ll head north through typical Catalan countryside towards Girona. Just before reaching downtown Girona, you’ll take a right turn in La Creueta signalling the start of the climb to Els Angels, where your name will be added to the 195,000 attempts already registered on Strava! From Els Angels, enjoy a magnificent descent through medieval villages before the second climb of the day, the almost as iconic climb to Santa Pellaia where American rider Lawson Craddock has the KOM in 10:42. How close can you get?

A magnificent ride through the best of the Catalan countryside and Costa Brava coastline. Rolling hills, forests, medieval villages, beautiful landscapes and stunning sea views will accompany you thoughout this scenic ride through central Catalunya and the Costa Brava. Your guides will have scouted out a great coffee stop and lunch stop along the way where you’ll enjoy some renowned Catalan food and coffee. You’ll also ride through Peratallada, a beautiful small village that gets it’s name from the fact that it was carved out of stone (in catalan – pera = stone, tallada = carved).

Note: Shorter ride option available today (93km, 1223m)

A beautiful ride through the rolling hills of the Pre-Pyrenees just north of Girona. After 40km you’ll reach the town of Banyoles and it’s famous lake, the largest in Catalonia. Amongst cyclists, Banyoles is also famous as the starting point to the iconic Rocacorba climb which we’ve included on the agenda today. With an average grade of 7.5% over 10km, and several steep pitches, Rocacorba is a challenging climb often used in the training routines of the many professional cyclists that live in the area.

Note: Shorter ride option available today (65km, 1003m)

Today you’ll leave behind the rolling hills of central Catalonia and head towards the higher peaks of the Garrotxa and the Catalan Pyrenees. A spectacular ride takes you up one of Catalonia’s most iconic and beautiful climbs, the climb to the Santuari de la Mare de Déu del Mont. Climbing to the summit is well worth the effort as the views from the top are simply stunning. From Mare de Déu del Mont the ride continues through the volcanic region of the Garrotxa, through the medieval town of Besalú, where you’ll ride over the famous Besalú bridge dating back to the 12th century. A magificent ride showcasing some of the best scenery in Catalonia!

Note: Shorter ride option available today (78km, 1524m)

We end the trip with a stunning ride to one of favorite hotels in Tavertet! Leaving the hotel you’ll climb through vast oak forests to 1150m and the Coll de Bracons. From the summit enjoy a long descent and rolling hills to Sant Martí Sescorts and the start of a magnificent final stretch through Tavertet and on to our final hotel. This section of road has abolutely magnificent views of the Collasacabra canyon off to your right. In the late afternoon, early evening we’ll head over to the spectacular medieval village of Rupit to celebrate the end of a magnificent journey with a few farewell drinks and dinner!

Note: Shorter ride option available today (54km, 1522m)

Sadly, your trip across Catalonia has come to an end.

Our shuttle can drop you off in Girona or Barcelona.