Come and explore Spain - a land of sun-drenched days, sleepy villages, jeweled Moorish palaces
and hospitable people. On this bicycling adventure, we explore the Emborda Valley of Catalonia.
Starting in the enchanting village of Siurana, explore the surrounding area at your own pace.
The route takes you through the National Park to the village of Figueras, the home of the Salvador Dali Museum. The route then goes through a wonderful woodland section. Take the time to visit the ancient monastery of Saint Miguel de Fluvia before heading to the town of La Pera, where you will stay for two nights.
Enjoy a day to relax and explore the town on foot, or take the opportunity to see the surrounding medieval towns and architecture of Cruilles, Monels and Ullastret i Peratellada. Then cycle along the Ter River to the little village of Fontclara, continuing along through the Greco-Roman ruins of Empuries before returning to our home base in Siurana.
On this Independent cycling tour, ride on quiet country roads and bike paths over rolling hills.
Staying in authentic, attractive country homes, you will certainly enjoy Catalonia by bike!
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate
This is a fairly moderate cycling tour, mostly on rolling hills with medium distances. Daily distances do not exceed 40 miles a day, mostly about 30 on flat terrain and rolling hills. Some longer climbs included in this route. An average cyclist will be able to cycle this distance in about 4-6 hours. This would change depending on your fitness level, and the amount of stops you make along the route. Energetic beginners are welcome on the tour!
The routes go through quiet rural areas. Urbanized areas of the coast are avoided. All natural areas and Natural Parks of the area are explored as well as all the more interesting cultural sites.
We recommend that about one month prior to your tour, you cycle at least 3-4 times a week, with one or more days bicycling for 3 or 4 hours. This will give you time to get into cycling shape, but more importantly, get you saddle ready!
ACCOMMODATION and MEALS:
This tour is based on a Bed & Breakfast basis, allowing you maximum flexibility to choose where you would like to eat lunch on a daily basis. The accommodation used during the tour is based in local rural houses called “residencies de Pages”. All houses offer comfortable double rooms on half-board basis. The houses offer a warm welcome, familiar atmosphere and home made food. Picnic lunches are available at the hotels as long as you order them in advance; otherwise there are plenty of places to stop, either for a long lunch or a quick bite. Spain is renowned for food. Try tapas, often eaten early in the evening as a snack, and other wonderful regional specialties. The accommodations, based on twin-sharing basis, are a mixture of family-run inns and hotels. We often stay in quieter places off the main tourist routes, where the range of accommodation is often limited. As such, we cannot guarantee the availability of single rooms.
ABOUT THE BICYCLES:
The bicycles used are 21-speed Megamo road bicycles. They are fitted out with bags, a map carrier, a repair kit, a padlock and a pump. A list of repair shops of the area is also included, but our representative will be on hand in the event of an emergency. Please bring your own helmet.
ITINERARY
At the beginning of each tour, you are given a map of the area, along with route directions and historical details on the places to visit. On arrival you will be provided with a detailed description of the itinerary. There will also be some alternatives to allow you to choose one section or another according to interest. Maps of the more important cities are also included, as well as a map summing up the daily route. You will also be provided with tourist information of the area, including a list of tourist offices, bicycle repair shops, urgency services, and a list of the museums in the area with timetables and prices (reductions are offered in a number of the museums)
Day 1 Arrive in La Pera
Start at the rural house in La Pera, a small village at the foot of the massif Les Gavarres. You willbe met at the train station in Flaca. All the necessary documents as well as the bicycle will beavailable at this point. You can round off the day by visiting the medieval part of the village.
DAY 2 La Pera – La Pera ( 37 kms )
The day starts with our local representative coming to you to go through the route and the details for the week. Today’s route goes through gentle countryside where agricultural areas alternate with wooded ones. A large number of medieval villages are visited. The most important are Cruilles, Nonells, Ullastret and Peratellada, the most important of the region. In Pubol you can visit the castle which was restored by Salvador Dali and given to his wife. It is now a museum. La Bisbal d’Emporda, main city of this region, offers a magnificent medieval castle and quarter. This town has a well-known ceramic production.
DAY 3 La Pera – Llabia / Fontclara ( 35 / 42 kms )
You move onto a second lodging, either in Llabia or Fontclara, and go from the most central part of the area to the coast. You pass by a section of the Ter River. You can again visit a large number of medieval villages, such as Madremanya, Sant Martivell, Foixa Rupia and Parlava.
DAY 4 Llabia / Fontclara - Llabia / Fontclara (40kms)
Your route is completely flat. There are villages sited on top of small hillocks, as this area was originally full of lakes and marshes. Ride through a naturally wet area of pals and the rice fields.
There is the possibility of visiting interesting medieval villages such as Pals, Ullastret, Palau-Sator and Peratellada. You can also visit the Iberian settlement in Ullastret, one of the most important archaeological sites in Catalonia ( 5thC BC and 2ndC BC).
DAY 5 Llabia / Fontclara - Siurana (54kms)
Today’s route goes through a completely flat coastal area. Again there are plenty of places to visit such as Torroella de Montgri, Bellcaire d’Emporda and the medieval complex of Sant Marti d’Empuries. The most interesting parts of this route are the old Greek & Roman settlements at Empuries.
DAY 6 Siurana – Aiguamolls – Siurana (54kms)
The day is mostly taken up by visiting the Natura Park in the wet areas of L’Emporda. The area is protected for its ornithological importance. You can also visit Castello D’Empuries, a medieval city of great historical importance.
DAY 7 Siurana – Figueras – Siurana (42 kms)
You cross the high ground of L’Emporda plain. You visit Perelada, a medieval town with historical interest. Visit the historical complex of Vilabertran, with its interesting Romanesque monastery of Santa Maria. You also can make a visit to Figuesas, the capital of the Alt Emporda region where a visit to the museum/theatre of Salvador Dali is not to be missed.
DAY 8 Siurana – La Pera ( 36 kms )
On the last day you return to your starting point in La Pera, by crossing a part of the interior at the foot of the mountains. The cycle is more undulating than other days, as you go through rural areas, visiting villages such as Sant Mori with its castle. You reach La Pera via Pubol.
On arrival back in La Pera you can refresh yourself and be brought back to the train station, where you can return that evening to Barcelona.
TRIP DETAILS
Departs daily year-round, expect in August
Please contact us for prices - we will be happy to provide you with this information.
BIKE RENTAL: Included
GRADE: Moderate
LENGTH: 8 days
INCLUDES: Hotels, breakfasts, dinners, luggage transfers & route notes
STARTS/ENDS: La Pera
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Contact us to join this great cycling trip.
