The Costa Brava also known as the rough and rugged coast is a cycling paradise, this tour is one of the most refreshing self-guided tours that will have you explore the inland and beautiful coastline packed full of switchbacks and descents.
Style
Road cycling
Gain
5,213 m
Distance
340 km
Level
Medium
Tour overview
DISCOVER THE BEAUTIFUL ROADS OF THE COSTA BRAVA
One of the most refreshing self-guided tours that will take you all over Costa Brava’s southern half. At your own pace, you will discover the most iconic coastal landscapes and areas around Girona, Spain’s quintessential cycling capital.
The tour begins and ends in Girona, a beautiful city with a rich cultural and historical heritage. This tour will take you through charming coastal fishing towns, along sandy beaches and secluded coves, as well as picturesque mediaeval villages.
Flights not included. Direct flights available at lastminute.com
Spectacular views from perfect roads!
Highlights of your cycling trip
Daily Luggage Transfers
Each day, the team will transfer your luggage from hotel to hotel, allowing you to focus on cycling. We will arrange bike transfers for you on the first and last days, and the digital travel guide is available for everything in between.
Extraordinary Experience
We're taking you to one of the world's best cycling destinations. Excellent empty roads, breathtaking scenery, and a vibrant Catalan culture combine to make for an unforgettable riding vacation. Prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Luxury Accommodation
Stay in stunning accommodation after your ride. Each hotel has been hand picked for a relaxing stay and been carefully chosen for its idyllic setting. Throughout your journey, you'll feel well rested after each day in the saddle.
Tour destination
Costa Brava - Catalonia
Costa Brava's rugged coast, which stretches north from Barcelona to the Spanish–French border, is without a doubt the most beautiful of Spain's three main coastal holiday destinations. The satisfaction levels of cyclists here are unrivalled. The ride's beauty and quality are both excellent. There are a few stretches of coastal road that should be on everyone's bucket list. Even though the Costa Brava is a popular destination for all tourists, you can easily avoid the traffic and crowds without missing anything. The Costa Brava has managed to maintain the authentic feel of its small fishing villages while offering the same amazing restaurants and accommodations you would expect from a destination as such.
Weather
Costa Brava has a lot of warm Spanish sun. Fresher rides can be found north of the peninsula during the spring and autumn months. Make sure to bring your gilet for wind and rain protection and sun cream for the rest of the time.
Terrain
Costa Brava means "wild" in Spanish, which already says a lot. It's a rocky and mountainous terrain with some excellent and diverse riding. There will be some decent mountain passes and coastal climbs, as well as some softer pedalling on the winding descents and, limited, flat sections.
Culture
This area has its own distinct features, such as its small fisherman's villages, some seriously good food and boasts a relatively unspoiled version of Catalan culture. Its famous anchovies are worth a try! There are some absolute gems to visit in the region, such as Cadaqués, Salvador Dali's birthplace.
Accommodation during your tour
Luxury Accommodation
You will sleep in a range of the best luxury hotels along our route. All are 4* and 5* Hotels which offer a high class stay after a full day of riding. We choose the accommodation based on its location and proximity to the start and end of each route. Each location is geared towards cyclists and will include secure bike storage facilities so you only have to focus on some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
Tour itinerary
Your guide to a perfect cycling tour
Arrival Day - Girona, Catalonia's Cycling Capital
The trip’s first stop is the wonderful city of Girona, a major city and pro-cycling hub near the Costa Brava. Your lodging will be reserved, and you will only need to check in at the hotel when you arrive.
You can spend the rest of the afternoon exploring this wonderful city. Don’t miss out on strolling through its historic quarter or sharing your passion for bikes and experiences while sipping a coffee in one of the many cycling cafes!
If you feel you want to stretch your legs we recommend going out for a spin around Girona to check out the roads that many of the pros use to train.
Stage 1 - From Girona to the sea
Distance
82 km
Elevation
1319 m
You will leave Girona in the morning and cycle through one of Catalonia’s most beautiful cycling sections to Platja d’Aro. The unforgettable Sant Grau climb will be the first challenge of your trip, from which you can enjoy panoramic views over the wooded mountains and down to the sea, as well as a coffee in the monastery’s courtyard.
As you descend the mountain, you will arrive in Tossa de Mar, which has a lovely castle, old town, marina, and beach. Sant Feliu de Guxols, just before S’Agaró – Platja d’Aro, the main tourist destination on the Costa Brava, is not to be missed further along the route.
Platja D’Aro Considered the heart of the Costa Brava, this town boasts a long beach, hidden little coves and beautiful Roman ruins.
Climbs: Sant Grau 8,8 km | 3,6% avg. gradient
Stage 2 - Classic Climbs of the Costa Brava
Distance
92 km
Elevation
1516 m
In this stage of the tour you will enjoy three classic climbs in the Gavarres Protected Natural Area massif. All of them are of great cycling interest. During today’s stage keep a watch out for your favourite professional cyclists who may be living in Girona!
The first climb of the day is Alt de la Ganga and it’s also the easiest one. It connects the coast with the inland town of La Bisbal d’Empordà, home of the pottery industry in Catalonia.
Leaving the city behind, you will ride up to Alt de Santa Pellaia while soaking up the wonderful views of the Gavarres massif.
Puig d’Arques is the last climb of the stage and is the steepest and most challenging one but very much worth it with the wonderful views from the 360º viewpoint on top. Enjoy it!
Climbs:
La Ganga 4,7 km | 3,7% avg. gradient
Santa Pellaia 6 km | 4% avg. gradient
Puig d’Arques 7,6 km | 4% avg. gradient
Stage 3 - The Coastline of the Costa Brava
Distance
87 km
Elevation
1290 m
On the second stage of the trip you’ll discover why the wild and rugged landscape of this coast is named ‘Brava’ (fierce). You will start passing by the fishing village of Palamós and its most famous cove “La Fosca”. Then, you will continue heading north until reaching Calella de Palafrugell, considered one of the most beautiful fishing towns in the region.
The next section is a challenging sequence of short and steep climbs that will test your abilities a bit. From the top of the climbs, you will enjoy amazing panoramic views of the sea and beyond. On your way to Torroella – l’Estartit, you will pass by Begur and the Natural Park of Aiguamolls de l’Empordà (Empordà Marshlands).
Torroella – L’Estartit
Torroella & L’Estartit are beautiful and interesting towns. The diversity of natural landscapes, the long beaches, the shopping and the cultural and leisure opportunities make this area an ideal spot for enjoying a pleasant holiday.
Climbs:
Alt de Sant Sebastià 1,3 km | 13% avg. gradient
Alt de Begur 5,3 km | 3,2% avg. gradient
Stage 4 - The Mediaeval Villages
Distance
79 km
Elevation
1088 m
Departing from Torroella you will head through a huge number of mediaeval towns on flat, quiet secondary roads and through apple tree crops.
We suggest you take your time to visit the most important ones: Ullastret and its fortified old town; Palau-Sator with its famous clock tower; Pals, perhaps the most visited mediaeval town in Costa Brava; Peratallada, with its imposing town walls and picturesque streets; Monells and it’s the spectacular main square.
On the last section of the route, you will ascend the mythic Els Àngels climb that will offer you amazing views over Girona: the best way to say goodbye to this incredible adventure!
Girona Girona city has established a perfect balance between history, culture, gastronomy and leisure. This little bubbling city won’t leave you indifferent. Why don’t you stay an extra night to explore even more?
Climbs:
Els Àngels 10,5 km | 4% avg. gradient
Getting there
Information to help you book your flights and get around.
Any questions about flights and transfers? The Epico team is here for you. Ping us via the chatbot in the corner of your page or send an email to [email protected]
Flying in
Fly in airport options: Barcelona El Prat or Girona
When best to arrive: Morning of day 1 of the tour.
Where the tour starts: Girona
Transfers: Not included but can be arranged on request.
Flying out
Fly out airport options: Barcelona El Prat or Girona
When best to depart: Evening of the final day or morning after the final day of the route.
Where the tour ends: Girona
Transfers: Not included but can be arranged on request.
Tour essentials
What’s included in your cycling trip.
Comfortable Accommodation
4 nights in 2 & 3* hotels in a shared room with en-suite facilities. Single rooms are available as an additional extra.
Luggage Transfers
Your luggage will be transferred from hotel to hotel throughout the trip so you only need to pack a day bag for your essentials.
Planned Routes with GPX
All routes are mapped out for you to follow. A GPS navigation app is provided for use on IOS or Android smartphones.
Accident Insurance
Accident insurance is included on this trip, to find out more about this contact one of our team members.
What’s not included in your cycling trip.
Flights
Flights are not included in the tour package. We have suggested which flights and airports are best suited for this tour but should you have any doubts or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Health & Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that you obtain dedicated health insurance that covers your sports activities. Reach out to us if you have questions about the insurance.
Meals
Only breakfasts are included in the base package of this tour. Dinners can be included if you purchase the half board upgrade package. This upgrade package would include breakfast and dinners at the hotels. There are also plenty of wonderful restaurants / cafes / pubs along the routes for you to enjoy the local flavours.
Ride Guide
This tour is self-guided. You are provided with routes and a GPS app to help you along the way, but there will be no guide riding with you.
Extra
Bike Rental
From only €200 for the entire tour!
It’s not always easy travelling with a bike but fear not, high quality disc brake carbon bikes are available for rental for the duration of the tour. To make sure you get the maximum from your bike for your trip, we’ve partnered with some of the best brands in cycling to give you the latest choice of equipment.
With a variety of sizes available, we can ensure your bike fits you perfectly. All rental bikes are mechanically checked and adjusted before each and every tour so you can have peace of mind that your bike will be running smoothly from start to finish!
You can select this option when you proceed to checkout.
CANYON CF SL 8 (Shimano Ultegra)
Fitted to you and ready to ride!
Extra
E-Bike Rental
Only €220 for the entire tour!
If you need a bit of a boost or would like to take on the tour at a bit more of a leisurely effort, then why not rent an e-bike for your tour?
Using an e-bike opens you up to new possibilities and can allow you to take on even more than you imagined. Also, if you are part of a group of varying abilities or you are coming back from a recent injury, an e-bike will allow you to enjoy the tour on the same level as everyone else.
If you would like to rent an e-bike for your tour, please select this option at checkout.
CANYON ENDURACE:ON
Fitted to you and ready to ride!
More things to maximise your cycling trip
Airport Transfers
Transportation that best suits your needs for you and your bike with our local providers can be arranged to ensure you get to and from the tour start and finish with ease. During your booking process, please contact us to arrange this for you. If you have any questions or require anything specific, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Half Board Meals
Breakfasts are included at the hotels but dinners are not. However, for an extra €185 you can upgrade your tour package to the half board package which includes dinners for the duration of your trip.
Single Room Upgrade
If you’d like a whole room to yourself, that’s no problem, we can arrange that for you at an extra cost. If you would like this option, please make contact with us during the booking process so we can arrange this for you.
Booking options
Choose when you want to travel
Don't see the travel dates you want or have a special request, such as adding a non-rider, please contact us.
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