Spain Family Biking
From Barcelona to the Pyrénées & Costa Brava
Culturally diverse, geographically varied, and awash in tradition and history, Spain's Catalonia region is practically designed for exploration by bike. From Barcelona, discover medieval French and Spanish border towns hugging the majestic Pyrénées. Journey through the peculiar landscape that inspired some of Salvador Dalí first paintings. Kids experience typical Catalan life as they journey to a fortified town aboard the historic Yellow Train and learn the art of pottery-making. Adults ride and the younger set hikes along the lush misty Costa Brava, whose jagged cliffs, untamed vegetation and secluded bays give it the nickname, "the Wild Coast."
Trip Planning Links
- Kick off the journey in vibrant Barcelona
- Ride the "Yellow Train" to a historic Pyrénées village
- A kid-friendly ceramics class in Catalonia's pottery capital
- The white-sand beaches of Costa Brava
- Get surreal and admire the artistic genius of Salvador Dalí
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 Bolvir de Cerdanya
Meet in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and a city bursting with artistic, architectural and cultural marvels 
Shuttle north into an alpine landscape of limestone cliffs, pine trees and meadows Pedal through rolling countryside past mountain villages, herds of cows and sheep, and farmers tending their crops Sample cava, Spain's version of bubbly Adults cross the border on a heart-pumping ascent into the foothills of France's Pyrénées, while kids travel aboard the historic Train Jaune (or "Yellow Train") and check out a solar furnace Discover Mont-Louis, a village whose citadel has earned World Heritage site status Grown-ups cap off the day with a tasting of Catalan wines.
Day 3 figueres
Test your legs on hearty climbs into the French Pyrénées before heading to the Alt Empordà, Costa Brava's rugged north As you spin toward the coast, pine and chestnut trees give way to oaks and olive groves Shop for traditional Catalan fabrics and textiles in charming St-Laurent-de-Cerdans The younger set learns about surrealist Salvador Dalí during a special scavenger hunt in the Dalí Theatre-Museum.
Days 4-6 Palamos
Bike to the beautiful Baix Empordà, known as the "region of coves" En route, explore hamlets showcasing cobbled town squares, Baroque churches and ancient fortresses Take a look inside the medieval Gala Dalí Castle, painstakingly restored by the artist for his beloved wife Kids create their own pottery masterpiece in La Bisbal, Catalonia's ceramics capital Youngsters hike on a scenic coastal path, while adults pedal along miles of hidden bays and wind through villages clinging to the craggy forested hillside Wiggle your toes in the sand during some well-deserved beach time Midway through our last ride, kids take a break to scramble through Cap Roig Botanical Gardens, where vibrant native and exotic flowers stream down terraces from a hilltop castle 
Return to Barcelona.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
The itinerary you planned for this trip was an unforgettable combination of everything the region had to offer -- from the coastal ride, to the hills and valleys, from small villages to interesting ancient towns. I was completely delighted.- Minneapolis, MN More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
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Spain Family Biking
A TASTE OF TRADITION: Premiere Inns
Torre del Remei
Bolvir de Cerdanya (2 nights) Set amid acres of lush manicured gardens, this 19th-century palace has been transformed into a 21st-century luxury hotel, complete with a swimming pool, day spa and ultra-chic amenities.
Mas Falgarona
Figueres (1 night) Owners Brigitta and Severino warmly welcome us into their renovated stone farmhouse, tucked into the countryside between the Pyrénées and Costa Brava.
La Malcontenta
Palamós (2 nights) You won't ever want to leave this well-appointed private home-turned-hotel, but a footpath leading to one of Costa Brava's prettiest beaches makes it quite tempting.
Spain Family Biking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- 12, 31 miles
- 650 - 2450 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 3 5 Route Options Available
- 12, 21, 34, 37, 38 miles
- 550 - 3950 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 28, 38, 41 miles
- 1000 - 2950 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 5 4 Route Options Available
- 23, 49, 56, 63 miles
- 650 - 2150 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 17, 28, 47 miles
- 1000 - 2000 feet elevation gain
- Hiking (Kids) 6.2 Miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 12, 17 miles
- 400 - 550 feet elevation gain