Cycling in Girona: close to paradise

Girona has been one of the most popular destinations for cyclists in Europe for years. This charming city in the northeast of Spain, an hour’s drive from Barcelona, has developed into a true cycling paradise. Not only because it is teeming with professional cyclists who live and train here, but also because of the perfect combination of roads, climate, culture and gastronomy. Cycling in Girona is simply a must for every bicycle enthusiast.

Girona itself is a fantastic cycling community. Not only are there many providers of cycling-related activities, but the range of coffee shops and restaurants also creates a wonderful atmosphere. Add to that the fact that you are close to two airports (Barcelona El Prat and also Girona-Costa Brava) and you have a perfect mix for a beautiful cycling holiday.

The old city

Girona is a beautiful medieval city, with an old city wall that you can walk right over. The location, close to the mountains but still close to the coast, provides endless opportunities for cycling and enjoying the scenery. The city itself is very lively all year round. The most photographed image is the one you see above, with the view of the river. The colorful houses, with the sun shining on them: a typical image of Girona. Additionally, the Cathedral (Cathedral de Girona) is a must-see spot in the old town. With its Baroque facade, it is a recognizable landmark. Are you a fan of Game of Thrones? This is the place to take a photo

Cycling in Girona

Of course, we can still create a whole tourist guide of the city, but this platform is about BIKING. Yes, cycling. Two wheels, a handlebar, a route and then enjoy it. Girona is the ideal place for a beautiful cycling adventure. That’s why we have selected some beautiful places for you in collaboration with Catalonia Bike Tours.

Classic Els Angels

From Girona, many will climb the beautiful Els Angels climb. A wonderful long hike, over more than ten kilometers, with an average of just 3.6 percent. Truly a beautiful climb to warm up with, with beautiful views along the way. At the top you’ll find the Santuari dels Àngels, which is definitely worth a visit. Another added benefit is that you can look out over the beautiful region from there, with Girona, the Empordà and the Pyrenees in the distance.

Rocacorba

From Girona, this is the climb everyone goes to see how the form is at the moment. Rocacorba is a climb that really hurts, especially after you reach Collet de Pujarnol. From that moment on, there are only double digits in terms of elevation gain. The climb starts off slowly with a kind of false flat. It gets steeper towards Camos every step. You really have the feeling that you are not making any progress. The climb only really starts when you go over the bridge and then the road turns to the left between the trees. Prepare for the worst….From here it is 10 kilometers to the top. You get very little rest and it is really a painful exercise. With a maximum of 13.3 percent, you have to bring the right form with you.

Famous by David Millar

Anyone who is a member of the Rocacorba Cycling Club, David Millar's invite-only club, has an uphill time of age +10 minutes. You know that. The only disadvantage of this climb is that it is a dead end climb. So you have to go back the same way.

Sant Hilari Sacalm

Another popular climb is that of Sant Hilari Sacalm. With a length of 26 kilometers and an average grade of 4%, this is a perfect training climb.
It is a long, gradual climb through forests and past rivers. Perfect for endurance training and quiet days on horseback.

Girona and its surroundings in three or four days

Want to explore the area thoroughly? Then with this three- or four-day tour you can make a perfect long weekend for yourself. This way you’ll see all the highlights of the area and you’ll also ride a beautiful stretch along the coast. That’s something special. On this tour you first head towards the coast near Platja D’Aro. You then ride over the challenging and beautiful Sant Grau. This is a challenging stretch of cycling, but according to the experts it’s one of the most beautiful stretches to cycle in all of Catalonia.

Beautiful surroundings

You can now choose to add an extra day to your tour and ride the classic climbs of Sant Pelaia, Puig D’Arques and La Ganga. If you don’t do this, you’ll immediately take the route along the coast of Platja D’Aro towards L’Estartit. Places I only knew about from the GOGO Tours holiday guide from 25 years ago. I never knew you could cycle there so beautifully.

Back to Girona

The return journey to Girona leads through several medieval towns, of which Pals, Palau-Sator and Monells are the most impressive. This route is mainly on country roads, through beautiful fields, and in 80 kilometers you cover almost 1100 meters of elevation gain. We have even added a small section ourselves, for your enjoyment!

Everything focused on cycling

Girona knows what its value is in the cycling world. The city is truly designed for cyclists. You can see this in the many coffee shops and bike rental companies, but also in the hotels. They are designed to welcome you. Bike-friendly, that is. A few tips that will make your stay in Girona fantastic.

• Eat Sleep CycleThis is a lovely café and restaurant in Girona, where you can also rent a bike if you like. But we especially recommend it because of the coffee and the delicious treats they serve. Besides renting a bike, you can also take part in group rides, book trips there, and have your bike fixed. Nothing wrong with that, right?
• Federal Girona: A classic, but more for coffee and lunch than for cycling culture. Rory Sutherland (former pro) owns this place. Maybe he can make you a nice Latte?
• La Fabrica GironaWhen it comes to food and drink, you’ll be well catered for at La Fabrica. Former pro Christian Meier and his wife Amber run this cafe/restaurant. It’s full of cyclists, and whether you come for a pre-ride coffee or a post-ride lunch, the quality is guaranteed.
• Hors CategoryThis is a beautiful location with delicious food and a great atmosphere. The café is owned by Robert Gesink. So if you want good coffee and a delicious meal, specially for cyclists. This is the place to go!

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