A journey through the Catalan Mediterranean – Tour of the Costa Brava

Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà and La Selva are the three Catalan counties that make up the Costa Brava region. Its name alludes to the ruggedness of its coastline, which boasts a series of small beaches and beautiful coves, white villages and a deep history of the transit of peoples and civilisations.

A pleasant climate almost all year round, world-class restaurants and charming landscapes have turned the Catalan Mediterranean into a great tourist attraction. Increasingly, cycling is becoming a key reason why many flock to this region.

In this Collection, I propose a trip to explore and discover some of the most beautiful and interesting spots on the coast and inland. In total there are just over 300 kilometres (186 mi) and almost 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) of elevation gain.

I’ve divided the route into six stages, each of about 50 kilometres (30 mi). This way, you can enjoy the wonders of the region for a week, with enough time between each stage to visit the villages, explore the beaches and experience the culture at your leisure.

As always, you can join the stages together and compress the trip into fewer days with more kilometres on each day.

In the first stage, you descend from Girona to the coast, in Tossa del Mar. The next three days are spent touring the coastline, beaches, villages and mountain roads. The last two take you back to the capital through the interior, visiting some of the most interesting villages.

The Collection begins and ends at the Girona railway station, which has long-distance and medium-distance services. You can also reach the city by bus or private transport, as it has excellent connections.

The ideal type of bike for this route allows you to cycle on tarmac, on compact dirt tracks and through some small stretches with loose stones. A gravel, rigid MTB or hybrid touring bike would be my top choices.

The recommended time to do this trip is in spring when the countryside is more beautiful and the temperatures are more bearable. Winter is possible but the shorter days and lower temperatures aren’t as attractive. In summer, the heat and the large number of tourists make the logistics a little more complicated, although many cyclists love to ride during this time, taking advantage of the cooler hours in the morning and then enjoying the sea in the afternoon.

At the end of each stage, you reach a town with a good range of accommodation and places to eat. However, I recommend that you carry enough water for the day and some food for the road. Plan your accommodation well in advance, especially if you’re visiting in the summer, which is the high season

Enjoy this beautiful region and have a great trip!