Barcelona lures you with its irrepressible éclat. But it’s just the start of an unforgettable trip through the heart of Catalonia. Soon you’re swept into the Pyrénées. Straddling the French border and riding roads the pro cyclists use to train for that famous French race. You’ll wonder how they just speed past these views. Descend and the air warms, the sun strengthens and the aroma of the coast fills the air. You’ll wind up on the Costa Brava, with glorious sea views and a landscape that inspired surrealist Salvador Dalí - a fitting end to this journey through one of Europe’s most enticing regions.
Day 1 Kick things off in Barcelona, Catalonia's effervescent capital
Head north to the mountains and pedal past alpine villages, herds of cows and farmers tending their crops Sample cava, Spain’s beloved version of bubbly.
Day 2 Scenic routes in the Pyrénées foothills
lead into France - the incredible views make your efforts worthwhile Gaze in awe at the limestone massif of Cadí-Moixeró Nature Reserve, standing above the idyllic Cerdanya Valley.
Day 3 Acclaimed Catalan fusion cuisine and fresh seafood
Pine and chestnut trees give way to oaks and olive groves en route to the coast Bike alongside deep valleys and rugged rock walls in La Garrotxa, a remote volcanic area rarely visited by tourists.
Day 4 Salvador Dalí's artistic genius
shines at the medieval Gala Dalí Castle he restored for his wife Ride past fields of sunflowers and wheat to the beautiful Baix Empordà, the "region of coves," stopping to explore hamlets with cobbled town squares, Baroque-style churches and ancient fortresses Penchant for pottery? You'll be in heaven in La Bisbal, Catalonia's ceramics capital Cap off your day with a tasting of Catalan wines.
Days 5-6 Bike along the Costa Brava,
where the Mediterranean laps against white-sand beaches and villages cling to forested hills above hidden bays The Gavarres Nature Reserve offers up a pass to climb Lounge by the surf Fruit orchards, olive groves and rice paddies line a peaceful ride through the countryside.
Trip Highlights
- Kick off the journey in vibrant Barcelona
- Ride scenic routes in the Pyrénées foothills
- Highly acclaimed Catalan fusion cuisine and fresh seafood
- Costa Brava bike paths, where the Mediterranean laps against miles of white-sand beaches
- Admire the artistic genius of Salvador Dalí
Premiere Inns
Torre del Remei (2 nights): Set amid acres of lush manicured gardens, this modernist château from the early 1900s was designed by a disciple of Antoni Gaudí. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool)
Mas Falgarona (1 night): Owners Brigitta and Severino warmly welcome us into their renovated 15th-century stone farmhouse, tucked into the countryside between the Pyrénées and Costa Brava. (pool)
Mas de Torrent Hotel & Spa (2 nights): A beautifully restored 18th-century manor house with stylish rooms and historic country charm. Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa, tennis)
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- 12, 31 miles
- 660 - 2460 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Level 3 3 Route Options Available
- 34, 37, 38 miles
- 2300 - 3940 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 28, 38, 41 miles
- 990 - 2950 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 5 4 Route Options Available
- 23, 49, 56, 63 miles
- 660 - 2130 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 17, 28, 47 miles
- 990 - 1970 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 12, 17 miles
- 400 - 560 feet 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2012 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 5/25-30 Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/3-8 Price: $4498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/24-29 Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/1-6 Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/15-20 Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/22-27 Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/29-8/3 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/5-10 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/12-17 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/26-31 Price: $4498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/2-7 Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/7-12 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/8-13 Price: $4198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/11-16 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/14-19 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/15-20 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/18-23 Price: $4498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/21-26 Price: $4198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/25-30 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/28-10/3 Price: $4198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/2-7 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/5-10 Price: $4198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/7-12 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/12-17 Price: $4198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/14-19 Price: $4198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
I've only been on five Backroads trips, but this one has hit the top of my list as my most favorite!!! You have once again exceeded my expectations for a vacation!! The whole package is terrific. But the key, in my view, are the leaders. How do you SO consistently have the best people on the planet there to ensure the best vacations on the planet? I will enthusiastically recommend this Costa Brava trip to anyone who will listen. From mountains to sea, with gorgeous landscapes and villages between, not to mention starting in the beautiful and fascinating city of Barcelona. WOW!! Backroads, you've done it again.- Steamboat Springs, CO
I couldn't imagine any aspect of the trip that could have been improved. The itinerary was very carefully and thoughtfully tweaked from the advertised itinerary so that we had the best possible opportunities to enjoy the countryside and the culture and have an active vacation that very successfully balanced fun, local culture, delicious food and very successfully. The organization that went into planning and executing the trip was apparent only because the adventure experience seemed almost effortless to the participants. Quite an accomplishment! I came away with a great sense of enthusiasm for this fascinating and beautiful region of Spain and France and would recommend the experience to anyone who is interested in this type of traveling.
This was far and away the best trip we have taken... it exceeded all of our expectations. The trip was easy... all we had to do was wake up in the morning and the only real decision we had to make was what wine to drink with dinner. The various options were great for different days. When the meals and hotels are factored in, Backroads is a great value. The little things - such as covering the beers at the beach bar - were also appreciated.
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
The leaders were great, the scenery was great, the accommodations were great, the biking was great, the weather was great! It will be hard for you guys to beat this one!!- Arlington, VA
This was a terrific trip. The areas that we visited were far more interesting and scenic than I anticipated. The accommodations were all special, striking architecture with soaring spaces, evoking the past and, in some, defining the future. Both our leaders were among the best we have ever had. They were knowledgeable, helpful, patient, solved every problem, big or small, and best of all, they were great fun to be with.- Chicago, IL
The places you pick to stay are amazing. The trails we rode on were beautiful. The food was amazing, the side trips so well thought out. I can't say enough good things about Backroads. You thought of everything even before I was aware I needed it! So pleased to have been a part of it.
This trip was amazing. This was my first Backroads trip and my first biking trip. The trip far exceeded my expectations. The biking was challenging. The food was incredible. The lodging amazing. And the guides were the best-organized, knowledgeable, creative, fun, supportive-really, the best!! I can't say enough good things about this trip. It really was the trip of a lifetime!!
You have done a wonderful job of creating an atmosphere where the biking is central to the trip experience while minimizing the sense of competition that tends to arise. I appreciated the many options available each day so that I could have a personally satisfying experience while my husband could opt otherwise for the challenges that make the trip for him.