The best cycling routes in Girona

Get high in Girona’s mountains

Cycle routes throughout Girona province have a backdrop of mountains and the city is nestled between two ranges. Using the small but perfectly formed city as your base to cycle in the wider province means you can enjoy the wonderful restaurants and culture in the evening and be cycling up beautiful mountain roads just ten minutes after setting off in the morning.

The Gavarres Nature Reserve rises directly east of the city, providing countless cycle trails on a mixture of gravel, paved and dirt surfaces. Cycling in Girona’s mountains gives you plenty of opportunities to take on seriously challenging climbs or stick to the low-lying foothills for milder ascents. To the west of the city, you’ll find even more foothills and mountains, allowing endless variations to routes. 

Further afield, touring in the Massís de Cadiretes on the Costa Brava provides some of the best bike rides in Girona province. Here, you’ll not only get challenging mountainous cycle routes, but you’ll have sea views and enjoy the extraordinary limestone coastline. 

Explore spectacular valleys and plains

Pro riders love Girona for its wide variety of training grounds and the quiet mountain trails play a vital part. You don’t have to hit the steep climbs though because sweeping plains and river valleys come together to bring perfect flat routes that will keep you pedaling happily for hours, even days. 

Cycling out of Girona city, you can follow the River Ter north east through peaceful, flat countryside with patchwork fields, crops and grazing animals. Follow rural tracks where cars are a rarity and you’ll fly along without a care in the world under the Catalonia sun. 

South west, the River Ter winds through its valley with mountains reaching up on both sides. Pedal along tracks where only you’ll spot only farmers and keep going until you feel the pang of hunger. Stop at one of the many little villages for lunch and marvel at the serenity felt in this part of Spain. 

The perfect climate for cycling

Cyclists of all descriptions love Girona not just for its accommodating landscape, but for its ideal climate. Cool, mild winters provide excellent conditions for cycling on the shortest days while spring and autumn offer warm, stable weather. Summer can get uncomfortably hot in the middle of the day, but morning and evening rides are delicious. 

With little rain, blissful routes and an exceptionally friendly population, cycling in Girona is the stuff dreams are made of.