Girona & the Catalan Coast

From the art museum at the old Episcopal Palace to the bright façades of the medieval Onyar houses which cling to the old riverside walls, Girona is colourful stuff. But it’s time to take to two wheels along the ‘El Carrilet Via Verde’ – a scenic, former railway track bed green way with a backdrop of the forest-covered mountains of the Gavarres Massif. Pedal through a patchwork landscape of woods, pasture and stretches of earthy farmlands via Quart, Llambilles, Cassa de las Selva, Llagostera, then up to Col de Sant Grau for a delightful descent down to the coast and the champagne cork capital, St Feliu de Guíxols. Don’t miss the famous Romanesque Porta Ferrada at the town’s Benedictine Monastery or the fine seafront manor houses near the golden beach and blue Mediterranean waters of San Pol.

Overnight: St Feliu de Guíxols

Miles 28 Kms 45

On a day of coast-hugging cycling, the port town of Palamós is an ideal first stop and the perfect scene-setter with its fishing museum. Just a short pedal further and the beautiful, unspoilt sandy cove of Platja de Castell promises an archaeological site (pre-Roman Iberian settlement) at the far end of the beach and tempting restaurants overlooking the bay. Another former track-bed greenway – the ‘Ruta del Tren Petit’ – guides you gently northwards to the picturesque fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, home not just to more beautiful beaches and coves, but a fab fruit, veg and fish market, where you’ll find a museum dedicated to the local cork industry – the product of the region’s cork oak forests.

Overnight: Calella de Palafrugell

Miles 19 Kms 30

A short upward spin starts the day to reach the hilltop village of Pals – a little medieval gem with cobbled streets, a beautifully preserved centre and ramparts just made for looking out towards the Medes Islands and the Baix Empordà. Check out the Visigothic tombs here before pedalling a short or longer route through a world of natural delta wetlands rich in migrating birds, rice fields and long sandy beaches all the way to Torroella de Montgrí . This one-time ‘royal’ town set in the middle of a Natural Park has a magnificent (but unfinished) castle to the north of the town on top of the imposing Montgrí Massif. Park up and stroll out for an hour or two, and you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views from the top.

Overnight: Torroella de Montgrí

Miles 18 Kms 29

Enjoy the company of the River Daro as you cycle out through agricultural and wooded areas to explore the small villages of medieval Fonolleres, Corça and most notably Púbol –location of the captivatingly decorated castle home and final resting place of Gala Dali, wife of the Surrealist painter, Salvador Dali. It’s then a short spin to Flaça, from where a 15 minute train journey will deliver you and your wheels back to Girona for your final night. Prefer to pedal all the way? No worries, we’ve planned a scenic route via St Jordi Desvalis and St Julia de Dennis if you are happy to clock up a few extra kilometres!

Overnight: Girona

Miles 17 Kms 27

Depart after breakfast, or make time for one last stroll along the banks of the River Onyar perhaps?

Extra nights can be booked to allow more time to explore Girona at your leisure.