Gravel cycling in Barcelona, Girona and all of Catalonia has become a true Mecca for cycling lovers. Now, Catalonia administration is focusing on active travelling, and especially on cycling. Moreover, gravel cycling is becoming a great target to focus on. Stress free cycling, no traffic, smooth gravelled paths linking old masias (old houses), wineries and nice hotels. What's not to like about cycling in Catalonia! You all know about the great weather we have in Catalonia all year long. We also know about the helpful and polite drivers that we have usually here. Also, we have a big amount of nice sandy gravelled paths in which cycling is such an enjoyable experience. There are 5 different legs suggested in this Grand Tour de Catalonia gravel tour: Leg 1: Barcelona-Tarragona Stage 1 Barcelona-Terrassa, 54 km Stage 2 Terrassa - Navàs 67 km (1400 mts elevation) Stage 3 Navàs - Solsona 65 km (1200 mts elevation) Stage 4 Solsona - Manresa 58 km (689 mts elevation) Stage 5 Manresa - Sant Sadurní d'Anoia (65 km 1421 mts elevation) Stage 6 Sant Sadurní d'Anoia - Sitges 48 km (659 mts elevation) Stage 7 Sitges - El Vendrell 40 km (580 mts elevation) Stage 8 El Vendrell - Tarragona 83 km (1237 mts elevation) Leg 2: Tarragona-Lleida Stage 1 Tarragona-Cambrils 35 km Stage 2 Cambrils - Deltebre 70 km Stage 3 Deltebre - Horta de Sant Joan 67 km Stage 4 Horta de Sant Joan - Falset 67 km Stage 5 Falset - Montblanc 86 km Stage 6 Montblanc - L'Espluga de Francolí 15 km Stage 7 L'Espluga de Francolí - Lleida 78 km Leg 3: Lleida - La Seu d'Urgell Stage 1Lleida - La Pobla de Segur, 107 km Stage 2 La Pobla de Segur - Boi Taull 62 km Stage 3 Boi
Gravel cycling in Barcelona, Girona and all of Catalonia has become a true Mecca for cycling lovers. Now, Catalonia administration is focusing on active travelling, and especially on cycling. Moreover, gravel cycling is becoming a great target to focus on. Stress free cycling, no traffic, smooth gravelled paths linking old masias (old houses), wineries and
No doubt the cycling experience in Barcelona is much more enjoyable than someone would expect. Being a big city, some people might think that cycling would be difficult, struggling with the heavy traffic of a big city. Nevertehless, there are are very good options for roadcyclists, as the hills around the city are not busy roads at all. As soon as you get out of the main highways and busy roads, there is very little traffic. Other than the increasing number of kilometers of bikelanes in the city (truly amazing for people who did not visit the city in a while), the options for real nice cycling around Barcelona are multiple. Many little hills surrounding the city with scarce traffic offer good options. Climbs like Parpers, Orrius, Alella, La Conreria, La Vallensana, Forat del Vent, Creu d'Olorda, El Collet, Can Bordoi, Creu d'Aragall, Begues... Countless options for a nice bikeride on a roadbike. Little traffic, mild weather all year round. This is the reason that cycling has become so popular for locals (and visitors). But what about gravel cycling around Barcelona? Truly outstanding. The options are again multiple. The very obvious gravel ride is the so-called Carretera de les Aigües in Collserola. It is a gravel path for about 20 km overlooking the city. Beautiful, easy, sunny, nice gravel surface. On top, the bonus is to visit Tibidabo church and amusement park. The views from the top, at 500 mts height, are the best. But another great option is heading north on the Serralada del Prelitoprial, the mountain range following the coast direction north. There is a big number of trails in sandy/gravel surface that offer challenging climbs and also, if you want to, some more technical options even for mountain biklers. One of the best places you can go
No doubt the cycling experience in Barcelona is much more enjoyable than someone would expect. Being a big city, some people might think that cycling would be difficult, struggling with the heavy traffic of a big city. Nevertehless, there are are very good options for roadcyclists, as the hills around the city are not busy
Castell de Burriac is a great destination for those who love gravel cycling in Barcelona. One of my personal favorite rides when I get the gravel bike. Castell de Burriac is in the north part of Barcelona, between Argentona and Cabrera de Mar. You can see it from the flat coastal road heading to Girona. Nevertheless, the best way to get the castle on a gravel bike is by cycling on one of the multiple gravel paths crossing Serralada del Prelitoral. Wide, nice, sandy paths, even rideable on a road bike most of them. Perched on top of a steep hill, you can see the runes of Castell de Burriac all along the coast. Height on top is 400 mts. Nice challenge. The easiest approach starts close to Cabrils. From Cabrils you can follow the signs indicating the castle. Not so obvious from Argentona, but also possible. It is usually our way down. Possibly the highlight of the whole ride is the very steep last part on concrete, very close to the castle. Very hard to make it to the top upon the bike, as the slopes are very steep (over 16% for more than 200 mts). Once you get to the top, you can take the bike inside the castle to take some amazing pictures of the coast. The usually sunny and warm weather (even in winter time) makes the ride to Castell de Burriac an achievable target all year long. Do not hesitate to ask us for the gpx file to get to Castell de Burriac from Barcelona, you will not regret it!
Castell de Burriac is a great destination for those who love gravel cycling in Barcelona. One of my personal favorite rides when I get the gravel bike. Castell de Burriac is in the north part of Barcelona, between Argentona and Cabrera de Mar. You can see it from the flat coastal road heading to Girona.
Pirinexus cycling route is a marked cycling route around Catalonia which includes gravel paths and small roads. No need to say that Catalonia has become one of the best places for cycling. For both road cycling and gravel cycling. The total distance of this Pirinexus route is 360 km, then it is possible to do it in just 1 day (tough ride, indeed!), or 2 days, also 3 stages (pretty doable for experienced bikers), etc. The route is mainly easy even if it crosses the Pyrenees (border Spain-France). The highest point is Coll d'Ares, at 1513 mts, but from the Spanish side it is much milder than from the French side. If done from the north side, Coll d'Ares, starting at Arles Sur Tech, it is a remarkable climb 32 km long with a total elevation of 1250 mts. In general, this Pirinexus cycling route is much easier if done clockwise Girona, suggested starting point. A good starting point could be Girona, as it is one of the most important cycling destinations in the world. Mainly for road cycling, but also for gravel cycling. Then, from Girona, the main towns to go through are Olot, Camprodon, (Coll d'Ares), Prats de Molló, Arles Sur Tech, Le Boulou, La Jonquera, Perelada, L'Escala, Palamós, Sant Feliu de Guixols and finally again to Girona. One of the most important cycling infrastructures in Catalonia is the Greenways, the so-called" Vies Verdes", former railways converted into bike paths. This Pirinexus route goes along some of the main Greenways. Especially remarkable is the way from Sant Feliu de Guixols (at the coast) to Olot, getting through Girona. But all the Pirinexus cycle route gets to perfect paths for cycling, so it is a great experience in which you can discover Catalonia, southern France, and have a taste
Pirinexus cycling route is a marked cycling route around Catalonia which includes gravel paths and small roads. No need to say that Catalonia has become one of the best places for cycling. For both road cycling and gravel cycling. The total distance of this Pirinexus route is 360 km, then it is possible to do
Gravel cycling from Barcelona to Girona is a great experience. Gravel cycling is becoming more and more popular all over the world. We all love the feeling of speed that we get on the road bike. But at the same time we love the safety that gravel paths offer. Gravel bike is the answer to this feeling. Also in Catalonia, gravel cycling is becoming big. Barcelona, in spite of being a big city has a lot of gravel paths (especially in the Collserola range of mountains surrounding the city). No need to say much about Girona, which has become a great cycling destination (the best in the world?) also for gravel cycling. Then putting together both cities (Barcelona and Girona) is a doable challenge that can be done on a gravel bike, in a very nice and safe way. No climbing included, then it can be a very doable ride for any cyclist. The estimated time for this trip is 4,5-5,00 hours. Once arrived at Girona, it is worth to take a picture at the Cathedral, then having lunch at some of the cycling coffee shops/restaurants (La Fabrica and the recently opened Hors Categorie are our favorites!). Then, head to the train station in Girona and we are back in Barcelona in about 1 hour 20 minutes. This is a full day cycling experience! Our Barcelona-Girona gravel cycling tour is an amazing tour linking those 2 amazing cities in just 113 km. Join us!
Gravel cycling from Barcelona to Girona is a great experience. Gravel cycling is becoming more and more popular all over the world. We all love the feeling of speed that we get on the road bike. But at the same time we love the safety that gravel paths offer. Gravel bike is the answer to
From next season we are also offering cyclocross (gravel) bikes to rent. We have some Specialized Diverge, nice gravel bikes which open a new horizon of rides around Barcelona. Getting your bike into non asphalted paths will make you ride safer and will enjoy some new prospectives of cycling in Barcelona... Also, this is fun for mud lovers... Picture by Sergi Ros de Mora @rosdemora
From next season we are also offering cyclocross (gravel) bikes to rent. We have some Specialized Diverge, nice gravel bikes which open a new horizon of rides around Barcelona. Getting your bike into non asphalted paths will make you ride safer and will enjoy some new prospectives of cycling in Barcelona… Also, this is fun
We are sure that gravel bikes (same as ebikes!) have a great future ahead. A gravel bike opens a wide range of paths and loops which you cannot reach with a conventional road bike. Specially in a big city like Barcelona, with the Collserola mountains surrounding the city, with lots of gravel paths for cycling! Thicker tyres, disc breaks, those are the main differences between a road bike and a gravel bike (cyclocross bike in fact). But also having the road bike handlebar and the same kind of shifting. We have already available to rent some Specialized Diverge E5 Sport for our customers, ready to roll and ready to offer you some new experiences!
We are sure that gravel bikes (same as ebikes!) have a great future ahead. A gravel bike opens a wide range of paths and loops which you cannot reach with a conventional road bike. Specially in a big city like Barcelona, with the Collserola mountains surrounding the city, with lots of gravel paths for cycling!
