Highlights
- Cycling around the Garrotxa volcanic zone
- Following former railway tracks between Olot and the coast
- Spending a free day in Girona with its magnificent cathedral
- Enjoying tasty local fayre in Girona’s Lleo Market
- Discovering Olot’s rich cultural heritage
- Finishing your tour at the cool seaside town of San Feliu de Guíxols
Itinerary
Today you’ll arrive into Girona airport or train station from where we’ll transfer you to your accommodation in Olot (journey time approx. 30 minutes). Olot, where you’ll spend your first night of the trip, is the capital of the Garrotxa County, and is surrounded by four astonishing volcanoes. After settling into your hotel, your local representative will help you set up your rental bikes, (if renting), and will talk you through the week ahead. For those arriving a little later, welcome meetings will be held the following morning.
Depending on flight times, you may have time to explore the city, known for its Neoclassical and Art Nouveau architecture.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 323 Metres Approx.
On your first day on the bike you’ll follow the Greenways cycle route, easily navigable using the Olot to Girona Greenway signs. There are two distances to choose from today depending on how far you’d like to ride, each taking you along a former railway line. You’ll be cycling through the most fertile valley of Sant Esteve d’en Bas, known as “little Switzerland” thanks to its lush landscape.
As you‘re approaching Les Planes D’Hostoles, there’s also the option for a short detour (3 kms approx.) that takes you to the waterfall of Moli D’en Murri, for a refreshing end to your bike ride!
Worth noting today there’s one small cheeky climb to tackle on the standard route, and another uphill section if you take the detour to the Waterfall, but the rest of the day is very gentle, on flat terrain, predominantly downhill.
Tonight you can enjoy the peaceful country location of the little town of Les Planes D‘Hostoles, with its beautiful Modernist buildings, built during the industrial boom at the turn of the last century.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 214 Metres Approx.
Today you will be following the greenways from Les Planes D’Hostoles, through the Ter Valley, to the pasturelands of Salt, following a lovely, mostly downhill, route towards Girona. With just one cheeky climb today it’s the perfect day for meandering gently along towards your next overnight stop, admiring the rooftops over Amar as you go.
You’ll finish today’s cycling in the ancient, walled city of Girona. Perched on a hillside, it’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon admiring beguiling architecture and wandering around labyrinthine-like streets. It’s time to relax and take it easy!
- Meals: Breakfast
Today is yours to spend as you please! Grab the opportunity to visit the winding lanes of the historic Jewish quarter, the Arab baths, the churches of Sant Feliu and Sant Pere de Galligants or the imposing cathedral. As you stroll along the impressive ancient walls, you’ll enjoy vistas of the city and the River Onya, which separates the old part of the city from the new. Stop in a cafe on the Paca de Independencia, the communal heart of Girona, sipping something cool and soaking up the convivial atmosphere in this characterful city.
In the evening, check out Girona’s delicious local cuisine, making sure to try some of their classic dishes, like the ‘xuixo’, a pastry filled with cream custard! Head to the Lleo Market for fresh, local produce.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 269 Metres Approx.
It is time to say adios to Girona this morning, as you rejoin the Greenways and cycle towards the coast. The latter part of today’s ride will take you through scenic, yet remote agricultural land, and there‘re some fun sections through the woods as you make your way to Caldes de Malavella.
Caldes de Malavella can trace its human origins back to Paleolithic times, but it was the Romans who founded a town here when they discovered natural thermal springs in the area and built baths, the remains of which you can still find in the town centre.
This delightful town, situated in the foothills of the mountainous Montseny massif, is an immense ecological space designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. It’s the ideal destination for rest and relaxation in one of the thermal spas.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 273 Metres Approx.
Today you’ll follow the Greenway from Caldes de Malavella to Llagostera and the last section of the “Vias verdes” towards the coast.
You’ll start the day by re-tracing your steps through the fun wooded section from yesterday. As you make your way past the half-way point of the ride, you can really start to relax as you gradually start your descent towards the sea.
You’ll finish your ride in the Mediterranean town of Sant Feliu de Guíxols; a charming historical town with a beautiful beach and stunning landscape. You will spend the night in a hotel above the beach with awesome views. This relaxing setting gives you the perfect opportunity to really take in this gorgeous part of the world.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 570 or 515 Metres Approx.
The last ride of the trip will take you north to explore the dramatic coastline, passing through beautiful villages, and cycling along the famous Greenways. You’ll reach Palamos, a traditional fishing village, where you can see ‘trenyines‘, the typical fishing boats, on its pretty beach promenade.
From Palamos, you have two options for the ride to Calella de Palafrugell, which, as you’ll see, deserves its reputation as one of the prettiest coastal villages in Spain! It’s a great place to enjoy a relaxing lunch in the delightful waterside bars, cafes and restaurants, or explore the Modernist Tower of Can Mario or the unfinished bell-tower of San Marti.
The first option will see you take the “Little Train” Greenway, which runs for 6 km between Palamos and Palafrugell, along the former railway track that previously linked Palamos with Girona via La Bisbal d’Empordà. This is the longer route and will see your ride more focussed upon the gentle Greenway to Calella de Palafrugell. This option is an out and back route, completely flexible in terms of distance. You can ride as much or at little as you fancy, and just turn back whenever you’d like!
The second option will take you directly to Calella de Palafrugell with stunning views across the coastline. This option is the shorter of the two options, however, is a little bit more challenging to ride with some cheeky ups and downs. The path meanders through the stunning Cap Roig botanical gardens before continuing on to Calella de Palafrugell. You will return via the “Little Train” Greenway to Palamos.
After Calella de Palafrugell, you will head back to San Feliu de Guíxols to celebrate the end of your cycling adventure.
- Meals: Breakfast
Time to say goodbye to the coast and to this beautiful region, as today we will be transferring you back to the airport / train station for your journey home.
Gallery
The Cycling
Terrain
70% of your route will be traffic free, taking you along on purpose built Greenways from Olot, out to the coast. Following the Vias Verdes (a mixture of hard packed gravel tracks and asphalt), the route will take you through relatively flat terrain, with some hills and undulations as you head out towards the coast. 30% of the route will be along quiet roads, shared with vehicle traffic. Although the route is relatively easy going, opting for an e-bike would make it even more relaxed and leisurely, if you fancied that extra boost. (The route is not suitable for road bikes.)
For more information about riding an electric bike on our holidays please click here
Family Cycling Grade
Distances generally of between 15-30 miles / 24-48 kms per day
For those looking for an easy-going route
Mainly on the flat
Some undulations and the odd cheeky climb
Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!
For more information about our grading system click here.
Is this suitable for you?
Maybe you and your family have recently got into cycling and would like to do more over consecutive days, or maybe you‘re looking for a more energetic alternative to your usual vacation? If you’re looking for an opportunity to try some quiet, safe roads, cycle paths or some accessible, cycle friendly routes these trips might be for you. You’ll come across some gently undulating terrain and the odd cheeky challenge, so we’d generally expect those on a Grade 2 trip to ride their bikes relatively frequently at home, occasionally heading out as a family for some leisurely rides at the weekend.
For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.
Dates & Prices
Daily departures available. The season prices below are per person and are applicable for all start dates between and inclusive of the stated dates.
2025 01 Mar – 31 Oct (excluding departures from 21 Jul – 31 August)
Season 1 – $2275 01 Mar – 17 Mar and 16 Sep – 31 Oct
Season 2 – $2615 18 Mar – 17 Apr, 21 – 30 Apr, 05 May – 20 Jul and 01 – 15 Sep
We are able to offer a discount of 25% for all children (under the age of 18), when travelling with two fully-paying passengers. Subject to availability.
Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit
Book now with a $375 deposit and nothing more to pay until 60 days before departure. Choose a date to start your booking and see all prices, including bike hire and single room supplements.
Whats Included
A) Accommodation (shared twin / double en suite rooms) in 3* and 4* hotels
B) Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
C) English-speaking local representative (with welcome meeting)
D) Access to an App for holiday information and navigation (with supplementary Greenway Guide)
E) Luggage transfers
F) Airport transfer on scheduled arrival day from Girona airport (GRO) or Girona train station
G) Airport transfer on scheduled departure day to Girona airport (GRO) or Girona train station
G) Financial Protection through ABTOT
What's not Included
A) Bike rental (available if required)
B) Flights and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)
C) Meals not stated in the itinerary
D) Single room (available if required)
E) Travel insurance
F) Personal clothing and equipment
G) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)
H) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en route
I) Airport transfers on days other than the scheduled arrival / departure days
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