Ride from Sky to Sea

Pyrenees to Girona

Overview

From Sky to Sea

Note: Pyrenees-Girona is a new tour for 2020. There are a few details not yet filled in on this web page, but they will soon be here. It is half booked already, so contact us soon if this sounds like the tour for you!

A perfect companion to our original HighRoad Pyrenees tour, these 7 days begin in the rural and rugged Ariège Pyrenees, a place of lost valleys and soaring peaks that will make you feel like you’ve made a secret discovery! Before crossing the mountain range from France to Spain on a tiny, local frontier road, we spend a night in the pretty village of Céret, famous for its juicy cherries and modern art museum that was opened with the help of Matisse and Picasso.

After a few challenging days in the mountains we descend towards the Mediterranean and the Costa Brava, where artists such as Salvador Dali lived and painted. From our seaside village hotel we travel across the plains to our final destination, Girona, one of the most interesting, historical and fun little cities in Europe.

In between your daily efforts we will make sure you are well rested and fueled, with our excellent hotel partners and local restaurants.

HighRoad Pyrenees-Girona is one of our ‘Challenging‘ bike tours. Distances can be up to, or over, 100 km (60 miles), with some long sustained climbs of 10 km (6 miles) or more. Riders should be experienced and have good confidence in their fitness and abilities on the bike.

Tour Distance: approx. 550 km

Climbing: approx. 10,000 m

INCLUDED

Tour Price

Double occupancy: €3100
Single Supplement: €500
Deposit: €500 per person

Accommodation and Dining

7 nights accommodation
All breakfasts, lunches and 6 dinners (including wine)
Energy bars, gels, snacks and water on your rides

Support

Pick-up at Toulouse Airport (TLS) and drop-off at Toulouse Airport (TLS)
All ground transport and baggage transfers
Owner-operator guides to see to your needs
Maps and elevation profiles of each day’s route
Support van that will be on the road with you, offering assistance, encouragement, and nutrition
44|5 Cycling Tours jersey and water bottle

NOT INCLUDED

Transportation to France
Alcohol outside meals
Hotels before and after your tour
Personal expenses, such as mini-bars, telephone or souvenir purchases
Bikes (we can arrange for rentals)

Day to Day

Your typical day on your Pyrenees-Girona tour will begin with a healthy buffet breakfast. Many rides will end back at your hotel (or the next one along the route) for a post-effort lunch, but on longer days in the saddle it will be a quick – and light – lunch on the road. You will always have a few hours in the afternoon to relax and explore your surroundings before we meet for a dinner of delicious local fare.

Day 1

Transfer to Tarascon-sur-Ariège and shake-out ride

Your HighRoad Pyrenees-Girona tour begins at Toulouse airport, where we’ll pick you up and transport you to the heart of the Ariège Pyrenees and our first hotel , the charming Manoir d’Agnès. After setting up your bikes we’ll take a “shake-out” spin through the valley. In the evening we’ll have our traditional ‘welcome dinner’ and talk about the amazing rides to come.

Day 2

Ride: Col de Port Loop. Approximately 100 km and 1700 m of ascent

Our first ride of your tour traces a westward loop through the Ariège Pyrenees that includes the Col de Port, featured in the Tour de France since its very first foray into the Pyrenees in 1910. Going deeper into the mountains your loop rises and descends on pristine roads, through dense forests and open pasture land. The view of the magnificent landscapes from our last col of the day – the Port de Lers – is worth all the effort you’ll put in today!

Day 3

Ride: Tarascon to Molitg-les-Bains via . Approximately 80 km and 2000 m of ascent

A short transfer in the morning takes you to the Col de Marmare, where we start our ride to the hot spring resort of Molitg-les-Bains. Highlights today include the deep, rural atmosphere of this hidden area of France, with alternating attractive forests and pastureland. The route is hilly, but apart from your main objective of the day (Col de Jau – 1506m), there is nothing too challenging. We will aim to be in Molitg-les-Bains sometime after lunch, so that you have a full afternoon to enjoy our thermal resort. You might even decide to take a mud bath before dinner!

Day 4

Ride: Molitg-les-Bains to Céret via Col Palomère and Col Fourtou. Approximately 75 km and 1200 m of ascent

You will that today’s route differs from the previous rides, as we transition from the Ariège Pyrenees to the drier Pyrenees Orientales (Mediterranean). Day 4 sees you riding past fruit orchards, vineyards and olive groves and Mediterranean pines dot the landscape. We cross many small cols today, but nothing is too high or difficult. Our main goal of the day is Col Palomère, witich is 19 km long, but only steep near the top. We descend to the Catalan village of Céret in the afternoon, giving us enough time to explore the area and perhaps visit the famous modern art museum (opened with the help of Picasso) before a village-center dinner of delicious local fare.

Day 5

Ride: Céret to Port de Selva via Col de Banyuls. Approximately 100 km and 1500 m of ascent

We continue our eastward route through the foothills of the French department of Pyréneés-Orientales, past pretty Catalan villages that lead us down to the Mediterranean Sea. Your route hugs the coast for 15 kilometers before climbing over our ‘secret col’ (we’ll tell you the story, don’t worry!) out of Banyuls-sur-Mer. At the top of this lovely, lonely climb you are in Spain. From here we descend towards our last challenge of the day: to the gigantic Benedictine monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, from which you have unobstructed views over the Mediterranean and a fantastic descent to your seaside hotel in El Port de Selva.

Day 6

Port de Selva to Girona. Approximately 95 km and 1200 m

Description coming soon…

Day 7

Ride: Girona Loop. Approximately 90 km and 1000 m of ascent

Description coming soon…

Day 8

Departure

After breakfast we will transfer you to Toulouse Airport.

Accommodations

44|5 has chosen your Pyrenees-Girona accommodations for the best mix of comfort, cycling services and location. You’re always within walking distance of village centers, restaurants, bike shops and other necessities.

Le Manoir d’Agnès***

A converted manor situated on the main route to Spain and Andorra, Le Manoir d’Agnès has been lovingly renovated to combine old-world charm with functional modernity.

Grand Hotel de Molitg****

Tucked away into a hidden Mediterranean valley, The Grand Hotel Molitg is the perfect place to ride to after your Queen Stage. This 4-star establishment has a thermal hot spring spa, outdoor heated pool, and a wonderful restaurant, where you’ll be dining tonight!

Le Mas Trilles***

Housed in a 14th century Catalan manor, le Mas Trilles sits serenely on the river Tech, surrounded by the Roussillon hills. Enjoy the outdoor pool or just relax in the flower-scented garden.

Hotel Spa Porto Cristo****

The Hotel Porto Cristo is housed in a 19th century Empire style building, less than a block from the Mediterranean. Inside you’ll find stylish rooms with all amenities, a restaurant, cozy reading room and more.

Hotel Ciutat de Girona****

Hotel Ciutat de Girona is located in the historic and cultural heart of Girona, just steps away from the best restaurants and bars the city has to offer. The hotel combines modern style and amenities with Catalan hospitality and personality. The heated indoor swimming pool will help soothe tired legs after a long ride.

Dates & Prices

Tour Dates – June 20-27, 2020

Tour Availability – Places available

Price Per Person – €3100

Single Supplement – €500

Not the best date for you? Contact us to create a custom trip.

Travel Details

Arrival Airport – Toulouse (TLS)

Pick-up Point – Airport: Noon

Departure Airport – Toulouse (TLS)

Flight Time – Book a flight out for early afternoon or later

We finish our tour less than an hour from the wonderful Catalan city of Barcelona, which is a perfect place to relax and explore after a strenuous bike tour! If you’d like to extend your holiday simply get a flight into Toulouse and out of Barcelona (BCN). Trains run every 30 minutes from Girona station to the center of Barcelona.

Gallery

What people have to say about our HighRoad Tours

Outstanding Tour

John and Gerry provided an outstanding tour of the Alps and Provence, including Mt. Ventoux, for 11 riders and their spouses. The tour was well-organized and included activities for non-riders, interesting dinners, and wine tasting. John and Gerry went out of their way to ensure that everyone had a good experience and even took photographs… Read more “Outstanding Tour”

Larry - California

Perfection in Touring

From the moment John and Gerry picked up our group in Grenoble and took us up to the Alps my wife and I knew that this cycling trip was going to be memorable. Both are exceptional guides and went the extra mile to satisfy our needs on and off the bike . Whether they were… Read more “Perfection in Touring”

Martin - California

Incredible Trip

I want to personally thank you both for an unbelievable, unforgettable, incredible trip. The roads were beyond belief, by far the most entertaining, best riding roads I’ve even done on a bike trip. And the food, the food…. every meal a delight. Even the simple and wonderful pizza al fresco or bistro lunch. Roadside picnics… Read more “Incredible Trip”

Rich - California