The European Sea Otter Festival is held in Girona; “The Traka” has long since turned the city into a gravel cycling stronghold; professional road cyclists spend the winter on the secluded mountain roads doing their base training; and trail cyclists, too, have been in seventh heaven for the past few years: Girona has blossomed into a real hotspot for all types of cycling.
This Catalan town lies 100 kilometres north-east of Barcelona, at the foot of the Pyrenees. From here, you have a choice: either ride through flat river valleys, wind your way up the wooded peaks of the Gavarres on secluded mountain roads, head down towards the Costa Brava on scenic sandy tracks or up towards the Pyrenees, or head for one of the trail spots and enduro parks. The main attraction in the latter category: the Santa Coloma de Farners Trail Park!
The best cycling spots in Girona
Anyone more interested in Girona’s countryside will have to stick to the extensive network of gravel and sandy tracks that’s so highly touted in the gravel cycling scene. These trails wind their way up to an altitude of 1,000 metres and, in the Pyrenees in the very north of the province, rise to over 2,900 metres. This network of trails is signposted and – depending on snow conditions – open all year round.
The really good trails, however, are concentrated in Girona’s parks, which have been created by the locals on less-frequented mountain slopes. Here, the main attractions aren’t the scenery or the views, but quick-drying, grippy sandstone paths, rock slabs and everything an enduro rider could wish for. Here are the best spots:
1. Santa Coloma de Farners: an enduro trail mecca
The trail park is situated in the woods south of Girona. There is no lift; the trail heads can be reached via two main routes after a 200 to 300-metre climb under your own steam. An e-MTB is therefore very useful here, especially in the upper section where the climb gets steeper. But an e-MTB is also a bit more fun on the descents, as there are always a few short uphill sections to tackle. Much of the trails wind their way past huge sandstone cliffs, which offer a surprising amount of grip even in the rain. All trail categories are represented here, from flowy to expert.
2. Girona’s local mountains: Les Gavarres
On the south-eastern outskirts of the town, the 500-metre-high peaks of Les Gavarres rise up. It is a nature reserve, but a few trail rides Walks through cork oak forests are also permitted here. At the end, you’ll even be treated to a sea view. Especially in winter, when the days are getting shorter, these trails are within easy reach of the city.
3. Banyoles and Rocacorba: A classic uphill ride with a trail reward
Located north of Girona, Banyoles is a good starting point for rides around Rocacorba (959 m). The climb to this summit is regarded by cyclists as a test of fitness. Mountain bikers take the tarmac bends at a much more leisurely pace and are primarily focused on the branching trail descents on the southern flank.
4. Sant’ Grau and the Guilleries: Plenty of trails in a small area
Nestled within the range of hills between Girona and the Costa Brava, which rises to just under 500 metres, lies a mountain bike park boasting an exceptionally high density of trails. The best way to start your ride in the trail park is from Sant’Gregori, from where you can work your way through the 100-kilometre trail network. Further on towards Les Guilleries, the choice of singletrack trails increases, but they also become more challenging. You’ve got to be keen on rocky steps and loose scree.
5. Garrotxa: Cycling amongst volcanic cones
North-west of Girona, you find yourself immersed in a completely different landscape. Instead of sandy, arid hills, you’re surrounded by dense forests from which the conical volcanic craters of the Garrotxa rise up. There are no bike parks here, but it’s well worth taking a long ride through this stunning natural landscape.
6. Cap de Creus and the Costa Brava: trails with sea views
For a change from the wooded hinterland, head for the coast. Around Cap de Creus, challenging trails wind through an open, barren landscape, offering views of the Mediterranean. In the hinterland of Palamós, too, trails can be linked up to form an exciting coastal route.
About Girona
- Best time: The good thing is: the area around Girona is varied. Even if it rains in winter and the rain turns to snow at higher altitudes, you can always head for the coastal mountains, which are always snow-free. However, as summer in the region is definitely too hot for cycling, the cycling season is only just getting underway there. Whilst you can expect rainfall from October onwards, this actually provides the necessary grip on the otherwise dusty and slippery trails. The only downside is that the days are now getting significantly shorter. Girona’s average daily maximum temperatures: 21.8 degrees in October, 16.6 degrees in November and 13.6 degrees in December.
- Getting there: If you’re travelling by plane rather than by motorhome, choose Barcelona as your destination airport and take the regional train to Girona from there. Transporting bikes is no problem here. Journey time: approx. one hour
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor