Gavarres, Ardenya and Montgrí – three massifs MTB route

With its 200 kilometres (124 mi) of coastline from Malgrat de Mar to the French border, the Costa Brava is one of the most iconic tourist destinations in Catalonia, if not the whole of Spain. As such, it comes as no surprise that the area is relatively urbanised and has plenty of infrastructure. This development underlines the importance for the protection and appreciation of the natural spaces that the area still has.

This Collection is a four-day mountain bike trip through the central part of the Costa Brava. It crosses three important mountainous areas close to the coast: the Ardenya, Gavarres and Montgrí massifs.

The elevations give you spectacular views over the Costa Brava’s landscapes and its winding coastline, full of small coves and cliffs. These routes don’t only take you through mountainous terrain though. The Empordanet’s flat landscapes are alive with forests and crops that change their colours throughout the year.

You’ll also discover the history of the region in this Collection. The routes take you to
numerous examples of Romanesque churches, monasteries and castles. You journey through time to remote vestiges, like the Iberian site of the ancient Indika, near Ullastret, or the megalithic areas with their dolmens and menhirs, present in the Gavarres and Ardenya.

You mainly ride along dirt tracks and country roads, with some difficult paths to contend with too so I recommend riding a MTB. You’ll roll smoothly through some of the sections though, like the one through the Empordanet that connects the Montgrí massif and the Gavarres. Although the total elevation gain isn’t crazy, you’ll come across some very steep sections.

With the exception of the Gavarres massif, the largest and wildest natural area in the Collection, the route passes through numerous villages, so you can easily find supplies. Even so, don't forget to carry enough water and food. Always take essential tools with you too: air pump, spare inner tubes, multi-tools, and a chain cutter and a spare link.

The mild Mediterranean climate means you can ride this adventure any time of the year, although summer can be very hot and humid. Spring and autumn are the ideal times to cycle in this area, and you’ll also find it easier to find reasonably priced accommodation.

The route starts and ends in Castell d'Aro, which is well connected to Girona and Barcelona by road. As for public transport, the train doesn’t run close to the coast, but you could take a train to Girona station and cycle along the Carrilet greenway to Castell d'Aro from there.