Project Description
GIRONA CLASSIC LOOPS
SELF-GUIDED
Discover the cycling playground of the pro-cyclists living in Girona
TOUR TYPE
Road Cycling
TRIP LENGTH OPTIONS
3 stages | 3 nights
4 stages | 4 nights
AVERAGE DAILY METRICS
88km | +1,230m
PRICE
From €450
TOUR DESCRIPTION
Girona is currently the road cycling capital of Europe. Lance Amstrong and George Hincapie where the first to discover the potential of this area due to the diversity in its near geography, well maintained but quiet secondary roads, mild weather, delicious gastronomy, and the beauty and great ambiance in the city.
Nowadays, numerous professional cycling teams, such as Cannondale-Garmin, GreenEdge, Sky, Rabobank and BMC have made Girona their home, and the cycling communities continues to ever grow.
In this tour you not only get to feel like one of the pros, but you also have a chance to spot them or meet them, while staying at a bike-friendly hotel, relaxing in a cycling cafe and riding the iconic mountain ports that surround the wonderful city of Girona.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Climb some of the most iconic mountain ports surrounding the city of Girona
- Take pictures in the sites used for the set of Game of Thrones
- Discover the history of Banyoles lake monster
- Taste delicious Spanish Cuisine
- Visit Emporda’s charming medieval villages
- Relax in the hidden beaches and coves between Sant Feliu and Calonge
- See beautiful examples of Romanesque, Gothic, and Modernist architecture
- Have a pastry with pro-cyclist in the cycling cafes in Girona
- Swim in the turquoise waters of the Costa Brava
ACCOMMODATION CATEGORIES
Find the right selection of trusted accommodation
options according to your preferences.
EXPLORER
Budget accommodation without compromising on quality.
COMFORT
Upscale 4* hotels where you can relax and enjoy all the comforts.
LUXURY
The best hotels with premium facilities and top locations.
DAY BY DAY
DESCRIPTION
Girona is an incredible city with a magnificent past reflected around the city. You can walk along its narrow winding city streets or a top of the medieval walls that span the eastern border of Old Town.
Another jewel of Girona, is the Cathedral de Santa Maria, where you can take a picture in the steps leading up to it, and if you are a fan of Game of Thrones you will hear the crowd chanting “Shame, shame, shame…”. Not only the cathedral but the streets of the Old Town, also known as the Jewish Quarter or “Call Jueu” in Catalan, were used as the setting for the streets of Braavos.
When visiting Girona you can’t also miss stopping at one of the many bridges that cross the Onyar river, including the Eiffel Bridge, constructed by Gustav Eiffel just before the Tower Eiffel. From the bridges you will be able to see the colourful cases that surround this river.
Museums, churches, historic monuments and bars and cafes, Girona is a city where you won’t get bored.
RIDE DETAILS
No ride on arrival day
DESCRIPTION
The first stage of this tour is a classic for road cyclists in Girona, the Hincapie Loop, named after George Hincapie, one of the first professional cyclists to make the city its base.
The traditional starting point of this route is The Stone Bridge, North of the main square in the city center. Exiting the city, the first climb of the day is found, Els Àngels, one of the most famous mountain ports in Girona. Its fame is not due to the harshness of the climb but due to its proximity to the city, which makes it ideal for those cyclists looking for a quick ride to stretch their legs and warm up.
When you reach the top, the descend towards the Emporda’s region and its medieval villages starts. Those charming villages are the perfect place to stop for a snack or coffee, before starting the next climb of the day to Santa Pellaia. This mountain port is cherished for its smooth and constant gradient upwards, as well as its fun and fast descent
Once in Cassà de la Selva you return to Girona while enjoying the views to the Gavarres Natural Area.
RIDE DETAILS
63 km | +908 m
INCLUDED CLIMBS
Els Àngels: 11 km | 3.5% av. gradient
Santa Pellaia: 10 km | 4.2% av. gradient
DESCRIPTION
This bike route takes us to one of the toughest bike climbs in Catalonia, Rocacorba. These mountain ports have slopes of up to 15% and many sections above 10%. This, joined with the beauty of the route, regularly attracts the professional cycling teams training in between competitions and the off season.
At top, the Mare de Déu de Rocacorba Sanctuary is found and, from there, you get beautiful views to the surrounding mountains of the Pyrenees and the Pre-Pyrenees to the Mediterranean Sea. On the way you will also pass Banyoles, the capital of triathlons in Catalonia thanks to its perfect geography comprised of green hills and the largest natural lake in Catalonia.
RIDE DETAILS
76 km | +1,342 m
INCLUDED CLIMBS
Rocacorba: 13 km | 6% av. gradient
DESCRIPTION
This is the ideal route for those who love cycling with views to the sea. Leaving Girona and pedaling through a plain past Cassà de la Selva, you will enter the massif de l’Ardenya, also known as massif de Cadiretes.
In there you will climb Sant Grau, a light ascent of 9 km with a beautiful descend with sharp turns. Once you arrive to Tossa de Mar, you will continue to Sant Feliu de Guíxols, a “legbreaking” road with little flat terrain where to rest, which helps you understand why this coast is called the Costa Brava, the rugged coast.
Once in Sant Feliu the terrain becomes flatter and allowing you to rest while still riding next to the sea. Heading to Palamós and arriving in Calonge, you will turn to head inland again to climb up to Coll de La Ganga, a fun winding road that runs through the natural area of Les Gavarres. From there you will continue to Girona, passing through Monells, a beautiful medieval village that has been used in various occasions as a movie set.
RIDE DETAILS
115 km | +1,495 m
INCLUDED CLIMBS
Sant Grau: 8.8 km | 3.6% av. gradient
Coll de la Ganga: 7.3 km | 3.8% av. gradient
DESCRIPTION
Today’s stage will let you discover the Medieval Towns of l’Empordà region. Riding mostly through flat roads surrounded by sunflowers fields and apple orchards.
Some towns have only one building remaining from their historic past, such as the church of Santa Maria in La Tallada d’Empordà, or the Castle of Bellcaire in Bellcaire d’Empordà. Others have a plethora of buildings which will make you feel like you are in the set of a fairy tale movie.
Torroella de Montgrí, Corçà, Ullastret, Peratallada and Palau Sator, are all beautiful towns where the Old Town holds cobbled streets, arched squares, stone buildings or battlements where you can marvel at how the pass of time has affected some of this buildings.
To get back to Girona you will Monells and start your climb in the steeper side of Els Angels.
RIDE DETAILS
98 km | +1,287 m
PRICING & INCLUSIONS
| LOW SEASON (January to February & November to December) |
||
|---|---|---|
| 3 stages 3 nights |
4 stages 4 nights |
|
| Explorer | from €450 | from €590 |
| Comfort | from €530 | from €680 |
| Luxury | from €650 | from €850 |
| GROUP DISCOUNTS Groups >4 people get 15% off |
||
| MEDIUM SEASON (April to October) |
||
|---|---|---|
| 3 stages 3 nights |
4 stages 4 nights |
|
| Explorer | from €550 | from €690 |
| Comfort | from €650 | from €875 |
| Luxury | from €750 | from €975 |
| GROUP DISCOUNTS Groups >4 people get 15% off |
||
| HIGH SEASON (Easter Holidays & Girona Temps de Flors & Sea Otter & Girona Congresses) |
||
|---|---|---|
| 3 stages 3 nights |
4 stages 4 nights |
|
| Explorer | On request | On request |
| Comfort | On request | On request |
| Luxury | On request | On request |
| GROUP DISCOUNTS Groups >4 people get 15% off |
||
INCLUSIONS
Accommodation in double occupancy room with bed and breakfast regime
Daily luggage transfers
Digital travel guide, tourist advice and turn by turn navigation through mobile app
On call assitance. 9AM-6PM
Tourist advice and off the bike activities booking management
Health Insurance
TESTIMONIALS
RENTAL BIKES
All our rental bikes are completely up to date in terms of maintenance, fully eqquiped with pedals of your choice (Look Keo or Shimano SPD SL), two bottle cages and rear light. They are also delivered with a complete set of tools to help you solve any unforeseen event that may happen during your trip.
MEGAMO RAISE SHIMANO Di2
The Raise has been designed for versatile riders. Its carbon frame and integrated handlebars provide lightness and stiffness allowing you to ride long routes without sacrificing comfort. In addition, it comes equipped with full new Shimano 105 Di2 2×12 speed groupset.
MEGAMO RAISE RENTAL PRICE:
3 Stages Program: €153
4 Stages Program: €192
MEGAMO PULSE SHIMANO Di2
The Pulse Elite is undoubtedly the pinnacle of performance. This aerodynamic bike has been designed for the most demanding riders, those who crave the perfect machine to enjoy maximum speed and progress with less effort. It comes equipped with full new Shimano 105 Di2 electronic shifting.
MEGAMO PULSE RENTAL PRICE:
3 Stages Program: €153
4 Stages Program: €192
CANYON ENDURANCE:ON
This endurance e-road bike delivers a complete performance package, pairing a powerful Fazua motor with a comfortable frame geometry. The Endurace:ON AL 7.0 looks as good as it rides, and eats up the kilometres for fun with maximum battery autonomy up to 90km.
CANYON E:ON RENTAL PRICE:
3 Stages Program: €153
4 Stages Program: €192