Overview
This six day, self-guided cycling holiday takes you into the heart of a dramatic volcanic terrain. Starting in the ancient inland town of Vic, just over 50km from Girona, it’s easy for travel and also for access into the nearby La Garrotxa Natural Park. This is a rolling and ravishing landscape formed by over 40 volcanoes and lava flows, making for a moderate cycling holiday through oak and beech forests. However, our e-bikes are perfect for taking the strain, and also for exploring other highlights such as Sau Reservoir and the Via Verda, from Olot to the historic and handsome city of Girona, where you spend your last night.
- Cities of Vic, Olot and Girona
- Monastery of Sant Pere de Casserres
- Sau Reservoir and Sant Romà de Sau church
- La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park
- La Fageda d’en Jordà
- Via Verda del Carrilet
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Vic
Arrive in Vic, a historic inland town located between the Pyrenees and the coast. Explore the Old Town, centred around Plaça Major with its covered walkways and historic buildings, and traditional weekly market. We recommend a visit to the cathedral’s romanesque crypt and bell tower, and, if time allows, Museu d’Art Medieval (MEV), home to one of Catalonia’s most important collections of medieval art. The bicycles are delivered to the hotel during the day.
- Accommodation: Hotel J.Balmes or similar in Vic
Day 2: Circular ride to Sau Reservoir | 60km
Cycle west into the wooded terrain of Les Guilleries, gradually descending towards Sau Reservoir. The route continues on gravel tracks and quiet roads to the romanesque Monastery of Sant Pere de Casserres, built on a narrow promontory with panoramic views over a wide bend of the Ter River. Further along, the bell tower of the submerged Sant Romà de Sau church emerges from Sau Reservoir, a reminder of the former village that now lies beneath the water, after it was flooded in the 1960s to create the reservoir. The return to Vic climbs through varied terrain, with views across Osona Plain.
- Cycling for the day: 60km, ↑1,097m ↓1,097m
- Accommodation: Hotel J.Balmes or similar in Vic
Day 3: Vic – Olot | 54km
Cycle north through the rural landscapes of central Catalonia, on a trail that takes you through farmland, stretches of forest and river valleys. A stop in Manlleu allows for a detour to the hilltop Santuari de Puig-agut, offering open views of the Ter basin. Nearby, the 19th-century Pont de Targarona spans a wooded gorge with some quiet trails ahead. The route climbs gradually into La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, with the first signs of volcanic geology appearing near Olot, a town surrounded by extinct cones and shaded woodland.
- Cycling for the day: 54km, ↑825m ↓869m
- Accommodation: Hotel Olot Centre or similar in Olot
Day 4: La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park | 54km
Explore La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park on a circular cycling trail that takes you through one of the best-preserved volcanic landscapes on the Iberian Peninsula, as it features over 40 volcanic cones and 10 craters, famously blanketed by lush forests and La Fageda d’en Jordà. Cycle on gravel tracks and quiet lanes through oak and beech forests, skirting the wide crater of Croscat volcano and Santa Margarida. Continue to the medieval village of Santa Pau, known for its basalt stone architecture. The route continues through undulating farmland and woodland to Sant Miquel de Campmajor and Sant Pere de Mieres church before looping back to Olot.
- Cycling for the day: 54km, ↑880m ↓880m
- Accommodation: Hotel Olot Centre or similar in Olot
Day 5: Olot – Girona | 60km
Follow the Via Verda del Carrilet, a converted railway line linking Olot with Girona. This gentle route descends through a mix of wooded ravines, pastures and small towns such as Les Planes d’Hostoles and Anglès. The Via Verda allows for a relaxed final ride into Girona, on the Onyar River which is known for its lively cultural scene, independent food spots and strong regional identity. Highlights include the city walls, Catedral de Santa Maria, one of Spain’s best-preserved Jewish Quarters and both Girona History and Art Museums.
- Cycling for the day: 60km, ↑310m ↓680m
- Accommodation: Hotel Nord 1901 or similar in Girona
Day 6: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and boutique hotels. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view sample hotels
- Hotel J.Balmes (Vic)
- Hotel Olot Centre (Olot)
- Hotel Nord 1901 (Girona)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide you with the exact accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks can either be bought from local shops or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from some hotels the night before. Dinner is available from restaurants in the local area.
Difficulty and terrain
This trip is graded moderate, with distances of between 52-62km per day and daily elevations of up to 1,130m. E-bike is the default bicycle type offered in this tour, making the journey more accessible and enjoyable for a broader range of riders. The route is mostly on dirt and gravel roads, as well as single tracks, with paved roads being minimised throughout the tour. Days two and three are the hardest due to distance and elevation, while days four and five are progressively easier. We recommend that you have previous cycling experience, including off-road cycling (MTB or gravel), and have at least a good level of physical fitness (read more about difficulty grades).
We also recommend that you have basic bike repair skills, such as fixing a flat tyre. We strongly advise you only to follow marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed digital route notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from April to November.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date within the season.
The climate in this region of Catalonia is Mediterranean, characterised by hot, dry summers and mild winters. The most comfortable conditions for cycling are typically found in spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October), when temperatures are moderate. During summer, particularly in July and certainly August, daytime highs often exceed 30C, so it’s advisable to begin rides early in the day to avoid the peak heat.
To find out more about when to go, take a look at our blogs, Best time to go to Catalonia and Best time to go to Spain.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
The recommended airport for this tour is Girona–Costa Brava Airport (GRO). Alternatively, it is also possible to fly to Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN).
By train or bus
- If you are able to travel to Spain without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, with railway stations in Vic and Girona. For more details, see the regional rail operator Rodalies or use the Omio planner above.
- From Girona-Costa Brava Airport take the bus to Vic (50mins). Different companies offer multiple bus schedules a day, such as Eixbus, Teisa, and Flixbus.
- From Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport take the R2N (Sant Celoni) train (20mins), before changing in Barcelona Sants to take the R3 train (direction Vic, Ripoll, Puigcerdà or La Tour de Carol) to reach Vic (80mins).
- Private transfers to and from either of the airports, or the railway station of Vic and the hotels in Vic or Girona can be arranged on request.
Inclusions
Included
- 5 nights accommodation
- 5 breakfasts
- Daily luggage transfers (one piece per person, max 15kg)
- Digital Tour materials: detailed roadbook including maps (digital format), a navigation app for smartphones, GPS tracks. Please note that no printed documents will be provided on-site.
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- International flights and land transfers
- Lunches and dinners, drinks and snacks
- Tourist tax
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Optional bike insurance if available
- Additional travel-related changes in the programme due to bad weather
- Entrance fees for attractions
- Personal expenses
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own.
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Rental of E-mountain bike and optional bike equipment.
- Extra nights are available upon request.
E-bike rental
All bike rentals include a repair kit containing a mini pump, tube, multi tool, patch kit and tire levers. You can also select from a variety of optional extras such as helmet, damage insurance, bottles or female saddle, so that your bike will be prepared exactly how you need it when you arrive. It is highly recommended that you bring a bike phone holder specifically designed for your device, as this will be crucial for your tour.
E-mountain bike – Bianchi T Tronik FX Pro
- Model: full suspension (150mm front and rear)
- Frame: carbon frame
- Engine: Shimano EP8 motor with a 630Wh battery
- Brakes: hydraulic disc brakes
- Additional features: the bike is equipped with a dropper post and tubeless tires
- Transmission: Shimano XT 1×12 speed groupset
Sample picture shown above, please note that the exact models may differ depending on availability, but the standard will be the same.
Spain’s legal requirement for personal information
Please note: in December 2024, the Spanish government introduced a new law making it a legal obligation for all visitors to Spain to share personal details with their accommodations and car rental companies. Consequently, as we book your accommodation for you, we are obliged to pass these on to our local partners on the ground. After booking your holiday, we will send you a form to complete requesting all the legally-required information, including: name, nationality, gender, passport number, DOB, address, phone numbers and email address. This applies to all travellers aged 14 and over. If you are travelling with people under 14 years old, you need to declare your relationship to them. We apologise for any inconvenience. For more information, see here.
