The Trip
In May 2026, I will embark on a 1124km two-wheeled adventure from Girona to Alicante. Mainly cycling through the rugged interior, and forgotten heartlands, i will visit the villages in the lower pyrenees (Ripoll, Besalu,...)
The Stages
Day# 1: Girona to Tossa del Mar (31.6 km) - Ascent: 300m - Descent: 410m
Arriving after lunch in Girona, the plan is to keep the cycling short for the day. End destination is Tossa de Mar, a beautiful seaside town.
Tossa de Mar is a charming seaside town on the Costa Brava, known for its golden beaches, turquoise water, and the dramatic medieval walls of the Vila Vella rising above the bay.
Tossa de Mar is a charming seaside town on the Costa Brava, known for its golden beaches, turquoise water, and the dramatic medieval walls of the Vila Vella rising above the bay.
Day# 2: Tossa del mar to L'escala (94.1 km) - Ascent: 1120m - Descent: 1120m
Cycling along the coast, I will visit the lively seaside town of Palamós, known for its beaches and fresh seafood. From there, I will continue to the beautiful Cap Roig Gardens, created in 1927 and famous for their dramatic clifftop views and Mediterranean plant collections.
After soaking in the scenery, I will head inland toward the stunning medieval villages of Pals and Peratallada, where stone streets, ancient towers, and timeless charm will make it the perfect place to take a break.
Ullastret will be another fascinating stop on the journey. This small village is home to one of the most important Iberian archaeological sites in Catalonia. The day will finish in L'escala.
After soaking in the scenery, I will head inland toward the stunning medieval villages of Pals and Peratallada, where stone streets, ancient towers, and timeless charm will make it the perfect place to take a break.
Ullastret will be another fascinating stop on the journey. This small village is home to one of the most important Iberian archaeological sites in Catalonia. The day will finish in L'escala.
Day# 3: L'escala to Besalu (84.1 km) - Ascent: 990m - Descent: 850m
First stop of the day will be the Archaeology Museum of Empúries. Located right beside the ancient ruins, the museum will offer a deeper look into the Greek and Roman civilizations that once thrived here. From here, I’ll continue on toward Peralada, where I plan to visit the castle. After exploring its grounds, I’ll head into Alta Garrotxa , a natural gem known for its dramatic mountain landscapes — an untouched wilderness that’s perfect for hiking and wildlife observation. The evening will be spend in Besalu, a beautifully preserved medieval town.It’s famous for its stunning 12th‑century Romanesque bridge that spans the Fluvià River — one of the most iconic medieval structures in Spain
Day# 4: Besalu to Vic (93.4km) - Ascent: 1580m - Descent: 1230m
The next day will see me cycling from Besalu to Vic. The first stop of the day will be Castellfollit de la Roca, one of Catalonia's most striking villages that sit perched along the top of a 50-meter high basalt cliff.
Another stop will be Olot, known as the city of the volcanoes.
The town sits within the Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa Natural Park, surrounded by four volcanic cones right in and around the city centre. The afternoon part of the cycle will see me cycling on gravel paths through the natural parks towards Vic.
Day# 5: Vic to Monserrat (80.4 km) - Ascent: 1600m - Descent: 1380m
Vic to Monserrat is a relative uneventful cycle until the last 20km where i will climb to Monestir de Monserrat where i will stay for the night
Day# 6: Monserrat to Poblet (92.2 km) - Ascent: 1270m - Descent: 1480m
The day will start early with a long descent along gravel roads, winding through quiet countryside and rugged terrain. The plan is to reach the medieval town of Montblanc by early afternoon. Known for its remarkably well‑preserved medieval walls, atmospheric old town, and its setting near the Prades Mountains, Montblanc is a beautiful place to pause and explore.
In the late afternoon, I’ll continue on to the Monestir de Poblet, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After visiting the monastery and its peaceful surroundings, I’ll spend the night there — the perfect end to a day filled with history, landscapes, and adventure.
In the late afternoon, I’ll continue on to the Monestir de Poblet, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After visiting the monastery and its peaceful surroundings, I’ll spend the night there — the perfect end to a day filled with history, landscapes, and adventure.
Day# 7: Poblet to Gandesa (101 km) - Ascent: 1660 m - Descent: 1790m
Another day heading in the mountains, this time the Parc Natural De La Serra de Monsant.
The Parc Natural de la Serra de Montsant is a stunning protected area in Catalonia, known for its dramatic rocky landscapes, deep ravines, and remarkable biodiversity — especially its rich plant life and impressive birds of prey. The park is a paradise for hikers and climbers, with trails that wind through cliffs, gorges, and panoramic viewpoints overlooking the renowned Priorat wine region. Scattered hermitages add a sense of quiet spirituality to the landscape, making Montsant a perfect blend of nature, adventure, and peaceful reflection.
Crossing the Ebre river, my destination for the day is Gandesa.
Surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and almond trees, it sits at the foot of Puig Cavaller, the highest peak in the area.
The Parc Natural de la Serra de Montsant is a stunning protected area in Catalonia, known for its dramatic rocky landscapes, deep ravines, and remarkable biodiversity — especially its rich plant life and impressive birds of prey. The park is a paradise for hikers and climbers, with trails that wind through cliffs, gorges, and panoramic viewpoints overlooking the renowned Priorat wine region. Scattered hermitages add a sense of quiet spirituality to the landscape, making Montsant a perfect blend of nature, adventure, and peaceful reflection.
Crossing the Ebre river, my destination for the day is Gandesa.
Surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and almond trees, it sits at the foot of Puig Cavaller, the highest peak in the area.
Day# 8: Gandessa to Morella (85 km) - Ascent: 1700 m - Descent: 1160m
In the morning, I will follow a section of the Val de Zafán Greenway (Vía Verde del Val de Zafán) is a spectacular long‑distance cycling and walking route that follows an old railway line through Aragón and Catalonia. It’s known for its dramatic landscapes, tunnels, viaducts, and its gentle, rideable gradients.
I will leave the greenway nearby Valderrobres and visit this stunning town. The town is
considered one of the most picturesque medieval towns in Spain. The afternoon will see me cycling through a quiet area to finish the day in Morello.
Morella is a spectacular medieval town in the Valencian Community, perched dramatically on a rocky hill and surrounded by well‑preserved defensive walls. It’s widely considered one of the most beautiful historic towns in Spain.
I will leave the greenway nearby Valderrobres and visit this stunning town. The town is
considered one of the most picturesque medieval towns in Spain. The afternoon will see me cycling through a quiet area to finish the day in Morello.
Morella is a spectacular medieval town in the Valencian Community, perched dramatically on a rocky hill and surrounded by well‑preserved defensive walls. It’s widely considered one of the most beautiful historic towns in Spain.
Day# 9: Morella to Pensicola (93.2 km) - Ascent: 1070 m - Descent: 2020m
The day will bring me deep into Parc Natural de la Tinença de Benifassà is one of the most remote and spectacular protected areas in the Valencian Community. It spans rugged mountains, deep valleys, ancient forests, and tiny stone villages that feel untouched by time.
Reaching the coast again, the evening will be spend in Peniscola, an iconic coastal town famous for its dramatic castle rising above the Mediterranean and its beautiful preserved old town.
Reaching the coast again, the evening will be spend in Peniscola, an iconic coastal town famous for its dramatic castle rising above the Mediterranean and its beautiful preserved old town.
Day# 10: Peniscola to Sagunto (117 km) - Ascent: 400 m - Descent: 400 m
An entire coastal route will bring me in the morning through Reserva Natural Marina d’Irta, a protected marine area that borders the Parc Natural de la Serra d’Irta on the Castellón coast. It preserves one of the last stretches of undeveloped Mediterranean shoreline in the Valencian Community.
The route will bring me through many coastal town towards Sagunto where i will visit the castle and stay for the night.
The route will bring me through many coastal town towards Sagunto where i will visit the castle and stay for the night.
Day# 11: Sagunto to Xativa (101km) - Ascent: 390 m - Descent: 240m
The flattest route of the trip will bring me through Valencia where i will visit the city and some of its attractions. It's where i sustained a knee injury during my 2025 cycle, so i will be extra careful.
In the afternoon, I will cycle through the parc natural de l'Albufera towards Xativa where I will stay for the night.
The town’s most iconic landmark is the Xàtiva Castle, a dramatic fortress stretching along a ridge above the city.
In the afternoon, I will cycle through the parc natural de l'Albufera towards Xativa where I will stay for the night.
The town’s most iconic landmark is the Xàtiva Castle, a dramatic fortress stretching along a ridge above the city.
Day# 12: Xativa to Alicante (104 km) - Ascent: 1470 m - Descent: 1590m
Leaving Xativa behind, I will head into the hills again of Parc Natural de la Serra de Mariola, a beautiful mountain natural park located between the provinces of Alicante and Valencia. It’s known for its rich biodiversity, aromatic plants, historic heritage, and excellent hiking terrain.
The park is especially famous for its aromatic herbs — thyme, rosemary, sage — which perfume the air.
In the afternoon, I will be cycling through
the Sierra del Maigmó and Sierra del Sit. These mountains form one of the most beautiful protected landscapes in the province of Alicante.
The park is especially famous for its aromatic herbs — thyme, rosemary, sage — which perfume the air.
In the afternoon, I will be cycling through
the Sierra del Maigmó and Sierra del Sit. These mountains form one of the most beautiful protected landscapes in the province of Alicante.
