Cycle the Costa Brava

🚴‍♂️ Top 20 Cycling Routes in Girona & Costa Brava

1. Greenway Olot – Girona – Sant Feliu de Guíxols

  • Distance: 100 km (can be done in sections)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Highlights: Volcanic landscapes of La Garrotxa, Girona city, Ter River, Sant Feliu coast
  • Best for: Families, leisure riders
  • Bike type: Gravel / Hybrid / MTB

2. Medieval Villages of the Empordà

  • Distance: 50 km (loop)
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Highlights: Peratallada, Pals, Monells, Ullastret
  • Best for: Culture + gastronomy + leisure cycling
  • Bike type: Road / Gravel

3. Girona – Tossa de Mar Coastal Road (GI-682)

  • Distance: 85 km round trip
  • Difficulty: Moderate – Hard
  • Highlights: Llafranc, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, stunning Mediterranean views
  • Best for: Road cyclists seeking scenery
  • Bike type: Road

4. Puig d’Arques (Les Gavarres)

  • Distance: 60 km
  • Difficulty: Moderate – Hard
  • Highlights: Forests of Les Gavarres, panoramic views of Baix Empordà
  • Best for: Nature lovers, MTB fans
  • Bike type: MTB / Gravel

5. Rocacorba Climb (Banyoles)

  • Distance: 12 km climb (700 m elevation gain)
  • Difficulty: Hard
  • Highlights: Lake Banyoles, legendary ascent used by pro cyclists
  • Best for: Climbers, training rides
  • Bike type: Road

6. Vallter 2000 (Pyrenees)

  • Distance: 12 km climb from Setcases
  • Difficulty: Very Hard
  • Highlights: Alpine scenery, finish at ski resort, Volta a Catalunya stage
  • Best for: Hardcore climbers
  • Bike type: Road

7. Calella – Begur – Tamariu Coastal Loop

  • Distance: 35 km
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Highlights: Hidden coves, fishing villages, turquoise waters
  • Best for: Scenic rides, photographers
  • Bike type: Road / Gravel

8. Els Àngels Monastery (from Girona)

  • Distance: 15 km climb
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Highlights: Historic monastery, sweeping views over Girona
  • Best for: Short training rides, culture lovers
  • Bike type: Road

9. Sant Pere de Rodes (Cap de Creus)

  • Distance: 20 km climb from Port de la Selva
  • Difficulty: Hard
  • Highlights: Cap de Creus, monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, sea views
  • Best for: History + cycling combo
  • Bike type: Road

10. The Volcano Route (Garrotxa Natural Park)

  • Distance: 40 km loop
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Highlights: Volcanic landscapes, Olot, beech forests
  • Best for: Families, nature explorers
  • Bike type: Gravel / Hybrid / MTB

11. Empordà Wine Route

  • Distance: 45 km
  • Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
  • Highlights: Vineyards, medieval towns, wine cellars
  • Best for: Gastronomy + leisure riders
  • Bike type: Road / Gravel

12. Girona – Banyoles Loop

  • Distance: 60 km
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Highlights: Banyoles Lake, peaceful countryside
  • Best for: Training rides, nature lovers
  • Bike type: Road

13. Cap de Creus Lighthouse Ride

  • Distance: 30 km
  • Difficulty: Moderate – Hard
  • Highlights: Cadaqués, rugged cliffs, Cap de Creus lighthouse
  • Best for: Adventurous riders
  • Bike type: Road / Gravel

14. Girona – Besalú

  • Distance: 75 km round trip
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Highlights: Medieval bridge of Besalú, scenic countryside
  • Best for: Long leisure rides, culture lovers
  • Bike type: Road

15. Ter River Route (Girona – Costa Brava)

  • Distance: 70 km
  • Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
  • Highlights: River valleys, quiet villages, Mediterranean coast
  • Best for: Families, scenic rides
  • Bike type: Gravel / Hybrid

16. Coll de Banyuls (French Border)

  • Distance: 60 km loop
  • Difficulty: Hard
  • Highlights: Cross into France, vineyards, Mediterranean views
  • Best for: Experienced cyclists
  • Bike type: Road

17. Montseny Natural Park (southern Girona province)

  • Distance: 90 km loop
  • Difficulty: Hard
  • Highlights: Dense forests, high climbs, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
  • Best for: Challenging road cycling
  • Bike type: Road

18. Gravel Ride: Girona – Les Gavarres

  • Distance: 55 km
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Highlights: Forest tracks, rural villages, wildlife
  • Best for: Gravel riders, MTB enthusiasts
  • Bike type: Gravel / MTB

19. La Vall de Camprodon

  • Distance: 50 km loop
  • Difficulty: Moderate – Hard
  • Highlights: Romanesque churches, Pyrenean scenery, Setcases
  • Best for: Mountain lovers, road or gravel
  • Bike type: Road / Gravel

20. Cadaqués – Roses – Empuriabrava Loop

  • Distance: 60 km
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Highlights: Dalí landscapes, fishing towns, Aiguamolls Natural Park
  • Best for: Cultural + nature rides
  • Bike type: Road