5 cycling tourism routes to discover the Costa Brava

Surrounded by the Pyrenees and bathed by the Mediterranean, the province of Girona is the ideal setting for cycling tourism, an activity with which you can enjoy an exceptionally diverse landscape, heritage and gastronomy.

The Greenways (160 km of old railway tracks) and the Pirinexus route (a 353 km cross-border circular route for cycling) offer an extensive network of accessible routes with different levels of difficulty, which means the cycling tourism routes can be done as a family. And all very close to the Costa Brava Hotels de Luxe establishments!

1- Alt Empordà stage (59 km)

No doubt one of the most complete cycling tourism routes of the Pirinexus route. Formed by flat cyclable stretches in very good condition, this section runs through the whole region of the Alt Empordà, passing through some villages of great interest, such as Peralada or Castelló d’Empúries. The destination is L’Escala, a well-known fishing village home to the Ruins of Empúries, the most important Greco-Roman archaeological site in Catalonia.

2-  From Figueres to Roses (22 km)      

This route, which combines mostly flat dirt tracks and asphalted roads, begins in Figueres, where you can enjoy the Dalí Theatre-Museum. The route also has an obligatory stop at the Aiguamolls del Empordà wetlands, which is highly recommended for nature lovers. The cycling tourism route finishes in front of the Citadel in Roses, which brings together the remains of different occupations of the last 13 centuries.

3- Little Train route I (6 km)

The Greenway that joins Palamós and Palafrugell was created in 2009 and is perfectly accessible. The name “Little Train” refers to the train that circulated along this route at the end of the 19th century and which connected Palamós with the city of Girona, passing through La Bisbal d’Empordà. This fantastic cycling tourism route will allow you to discover the landscapes of the Empordanet, of which the great Josep Pla spoke. 

4 – Narrow Gauge Railway route II (39,7 km)

The busiest and best-known section of the Greenways connects the city of Girona with the Costa Brava. This cycling tourism route offers gentle slopes and completes the same route of the “Narrow Gauge train”: from the provincial capital to Sant Feliu de Guíxols, passing through towns with a great cork-making tradition, such as Cassà de la Selva or Llagostera. Highly recommended if you want to go on a family excursion!

5- Thermal Route (15 km)

Very accessible cycling tourism route that connects the Narrow Gauge II Greenway, as it passes through Cassà de la Selva, with the Vía Augusta, near PGA Golf de Catalunya. The route, which offers great diversity of landscapes, passes through the town centre of Caldes de Malavella, where you can discover how the thermal water has become a symbol of the town, whether visiting the spa or the Roman baths.