Pirinexus

When:

Where:

Specific place:

Spain and France: Catalonia and Eastern Pyrenees: Girona - Olot - Camprodón - Céret - L’Escala - Sant Feliu de Guíxols - Girona

Length:

1 week

Level:

Challenging

IBP Index:

Type:

Greenways

Nature

Group min/máx:

4-8 people

Dates:

19/06/2023 to 24/06/2023

Mediterranean sea from Arles pass

This is a one-week, circular route, for intermediate cyclists, that runs through Girona province from the Costa Brava to the Pyrenees and back, along more than 350 km, following Pirinexus, a Catalan cycle route created to develop jointly a continuous bike touring network between both sides of the border.

Pedalling by greenways, rural traild or local roads we start from the beautiful city of Girona to the Pyrenees, up to near the sources of the Ter river, to cross the mountain range and follow the course of the Tech river now through French lands. Then we cross the border by the Panissars pass and descend to Ampurdà plain, to later arrive again to the coast on the ancient Greek and Roman city of Ampurias. After a few more kilometers along the coast and among tourist conglomerates, we pedal again on the greenway to get back to the starting point.

Since 2012 the bay of Roses is part of the Club of the most beautiful bays in the world.

This route runs through Garrocha Volcanic Zone Natural Park, le Tech, Sierra de la Albera, Llobregat de Ampurdán, Ampurdan Marshes Natural Park, and Gavarres, sites classified as SCI (Site of Community Importance) in the Natura 2000 network. Also, the Canigou-Carança mountain range is an IBA (Important Bird Area) according to BirdLife International.

Our local provider is:

Scheduled itinerary:

Day 1.- Transportation to Girona. Ride from Girona to Olot (58 km), by the Carrilet greenway. Visit to the Museum of the volcanoes of Olot. Lodging.
Day 2.- Ride from Olot to Camprodón (40 km). Climb up to Sentigosa pass. Visit to the monastery of Sant Joan de les Abadesses. Lodging.
Day 3.- Ride from Camprodón to Céret (65 km), by le Tech and Canigou-Carança mountain range. Climb up to Arles pass, and ride by the Pyrenees-Mediterranean greenway. Visit to the historical center of Céret. Lodging.
Day 4.- Ride from Céret to L'Escala (75 km), by Sierra de la Albera, Llobregat de Ampurdán, and Ampurdan Marshes Natural Park. Climb up to Panissas pass. Visit to the Greek-Roman ruins of Ampurias of L’Escala. Lodging.
Day 5.- Ride from L'Escala to Sant Feliu de Guíxols (60 km), by the tren Petit greenway. Visit to the Benedictine monastery of Sant Feliu. Lodging.
Day 6.- Ride from Sant Feliu to Girona (43 km), by the Carrilet greenway and Gavarres. Visit to the historical center of Girona. Farewell lunch. Transportation back home.