Spain Self Guided Biking / Costa Brava
Nichols Expeditions offers Costa Brava Self Guided Bike Tours for both casual and serious road bike riders. Guided Tours and van supported tours may also be arranged.
We offer 2 versions of our Costa Brava Self Guided Bike Tours to accommodate both the casual cyclist who will use a hybrid or e assist hybrid bike with some use of gravel roads (Version A) or the avid road cyclist with only paved roads. (Version B) who wants to visit one of Europe’s most beautiful locations. The Costa Brava is in the Catalonia region of northeastern Spain and this ride is the perfect way to discover Catalonia’s fascinating history, culture and excellent cuisine. With its gorgeous beaches, rugged coastline, charming stone villages and pine covered hills, the Costa Brava is an unforgettable cycling destination.
You will be staying in a variety of accommodations that reflect the hospitality of the region and feature a splendid assortment of European style hotels, charming inns in a lovely settings.
Version A for the casual rider: daily riding distances average 30 –60 km per day over some rolling hills
Version B for the experienced cyclist: daily riding distances of 60 – 75 km per day (37 – 46 miles/day) over varied terrain
Prices are the same for both Version A & B.
2024 Price: From €1550 Euros pp double occupancy
Single Supplement:€525 Euros
Price Includes:
- 7 nights’ hotel
- 7 breakfasts
- luggage transfers
- map with route directions
- emergency phone numbers for our Spain staff support (shorter and longer itineraries available)
Price Does Not Include:
International flights, dinners, lunches, beverages, Hybrid bike rental / €120 Euros, Carbon road bike rental / €220 Euros, Electric bike rental / €290 Euros
Guided Tour with Van Support: Contact us as price will be determined by the size of the group.
Tour Difficulty
- Version A Difficulty: Relatively Flat with rolling hills with both paved and dirt road sections. Hybrid or E bikes are the best choice for this itinerary.
- Version B Difficulty: Rolling terrain with some longer hills and longer distances. All roads are paved and we have carbon road bike rentals available.
Tour Highlights
- Quaint Medieval Villages
- Beaches, Mountains & Vineyards
- Stunning Landscapes
- Quiet Roads
“ There is no better way to enjoy a country than by biking. The combination of being outdoors with the local beauty of Spain in spring was truly relaxing. This area of Spain is ideal for cyclists with its network of roads with bike paths, cycling paths, excellent signage, and local devotion to cycling. Being near Barcelona for the national soccer championship was a bonus!”
“The tour was awesome and we conquered some challenging hills so we are feeling strong! The accommodations were lovely, the scenery was spectacular and God gave us a beautiful week with only a little bit of rain. We were delighted with the whole experience from beginning to end.”
Itinerary
Version A Sample Itinerary
(Shorter distances, some good gravel roads that require a hybrid or electric assist hybrid bike.
Day 1 – Arrival in Girona
Arrival on your own by train and taxi to your hotel in the center of town. You can enjoy visiting the old part of this historical city where the cathedral remains and the Jewish quarter are outstanding. Your hotel is a great central location.
Day 2 – Girona – Sant Feliu de Guíxols (40 km)
Riding the “Carrilet” – the converted railway from Girona to the coast.
Day 3 – Sant Feliu de Guíxols to Tossa de Mar and back (approx 50 km)
The “Coastal Ride” from Sant Feliu to Tossa de Mar is rated as possibly the best ride in the entire region, for its stunning views and mix of climbs and downhills – simply unforgettable!
Day 4 – Sant Feliu de Guíxols to Llafranc (approx. 30 km)
Following the beautiful coastal route through fields and forests of pine and cork trees to Llafranc.
Day 5 – Llafranc Circular route Madremanya – Medieval villages (approx 30 km)
Exploring the beautiful bays of Calella de Palafrugell, Llafranc and Tamariu.
Day 6 – Llafranc to Monells (approx. 30 km)
Meandering through the charming medieval villages of the Baix Emporda.
Day 7 – Monells Circular route (approx 40 km)
Exploring more of the medieval villages following the Baix Emporda cycle network.
Day 8 – Departure to Girona –
Transfer to Girona, or the option to cycle up and over the challenging and stunning “Els Angels” monastery route that is one of the favourite rides of many of the pro riders who live in Girona. (approx 30 km) In Girona, there is good train service to Barcelona and other regions of Spain.
Version B Sample Itinerary
(Asphalt roads, varied terrain, longer distances, road bike, hybrid bike or electric bikes available )
Day 1 – Arrival in Girona
Arrival on your own in Girona, there are many trains each day from Barcleona . You can enjoy visiting the old part of this historical city where the cathedral remains and the Jewish quarter are outstanding. Your hotel is a great central location. Your tour briefing and bike setup will take place the following morning at 10:00am at your hotel in Girona.
Day 2 – Girona Warm up ride – 30 km (longer routes available)
A fantastic way to warm up and get accustomed to the un-crowded and beautiful riding that the Girona area offers. Today’s ride offers the opportunity to experience some of the beautiful and tranquil Girona countryside as you cycle along.
Day 3 – Girona Loop – 80 km (shorter routes are available)
This is one of the great Girona road rides with some of the most beautiful scenery on offer in the Girona area. There is plenty of time to set your rhythm with some gentle climbing and steady descents.
Day 4 – Girona – Sant Feliu de Guíxols (50 km)
Today we leave Girona heading for the Mediterranean Sea. We cycle through the rolling Girona countryside before heading to the coast with a short climb before a lovely descent towards Sant Feliu de Guixols, where we are based for the next two nights. You will reach Sant Feliu, with its wonderful seaport and great cultural and historical interest, with an old monastery.
Day 5 – Tossa de Mar return alongside the Mediterranean Sea – 50 km
This ride is just over 50 km in length riding along the famous Tossa de Mar coastal road that was part of the ‘2009 Tour de France’ stage from Girona to Barcelona. The turn around point is the seaside town of Tossa de Mar with its stunning Citadel overlooking the blue waters of the Mediterranean sea – a great place to have a coffee before returning back to Sant Feliu de Guixols.
Day 6 – Medieval Villages – 50 km
Today we head out on a beautiful and more relaxing ride that takes us through the plains of the Baix Emporda, stopping off at the timeless Medieval Villages that are dotted throughout this area. We then make our way to our final beautifully restored 4 star hotel in one of the most charming medieval villages of the area.
Day 7 – Medieval Villages 2 – 65 km
We finish our week of riding exploring more of the pretty Medieval Villages of the Baix Emporda region with a visit to the beautiful hilltop village of Begur as our turn around point with stunning views to the sea and mountains from the castle.
Day 8 – Departure Day
Departure day to Girona with the option to ride ‘up and over’ the challenging Els Angels mountain, which is one of the favorite road rides in Girona. Alternatively, transfer is included from your hotel to the Girona train station.