A challenge for the fittest. A demanding tour, with high grade mountain passes and spectacular roads, but with time to enjoy the excellent local cuisine.

1. GIRONA MOUNTAINS
GIRONA
MOUNTAINS
GARROTXA BIKING 2014
DURATION: 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS
TYPE: ROAD BIKE
START&FINISH: GIRONA/GIRONA (SPAIN)
DATES: MARCH TO OCTOBER
LODGING: 3*, 4* HOTELS
ROUTE LEVEL: 4
KM.PER DAY: 80–150 KM
TRAVEL OPTIONS: GROUP & PRIVATE
GROUPS: 4/... MIN/MAX
PRICE: FROM 2.250€ / See prices
GIRONA MOUNTAINS is a route designed for cyclists used to long and hard journeys. It has a high difficulty due to
the numerous mountain passes, with high grade, to be climbed. Nevertheless, the pace is adapted to the group
level and we make as many stops and regrouping as necessary. We will climb famous passes like “Mare de Déu
del Mont” (1124m), “Vallter 2000” (2144m) or “Bellmunt” (1246m) and some other less known but as hard as
them.
GIRONA MOUNTAINS is a very impressive and demanding tour, with beautiful landscapes as natural space of Alta
Garrotxa (a steep scenery, with narrow and deep valleys surrounded by cliffs and stone walls), El Ripollès
(between valleys and mountains, splattered with little mountain villages) or Garrotxa’s Volcanic Zone (smooth
and undulating, represents the best example of volcanic area in Spain with its more that 40 volcanoes).
Throughout all the route we will enjoy a very rich cultural patrimony as well. In this area we can find exceptional
medieval samples, like the village of Besalú, designated a site of national artistic and historical interest, which
conforms one of the most important and well preserved medieval sites in Catalonia and where a majestic
romanesque XI century bridge stands out. Or the XIV century medieval village of Santa Pau, located inside the
natural park. Designated a site of national artistic and historical interest too, we can single out its XIII century
castle and its arcaded square, one of the most beautiful in Catalonia.
The city of Girona is to be discovered as well. A place with the charm of big cities but with no crowds. Located in a
privileged site between the sea and the mountains it offers us a great display of unique and spectacular
monuments, testimony of its millenary history.
At the end of every stage we will taste a unique and rich gastronomy, based in local, native and traditional
products. Volcanic features of the soil in la Garrotxa make it very rich and fertile. This has a clear effect in its
cuisine and we can definitely affirm that culture and nature can be found in local dishes. We will lodge in
charming hotels, where we can relax, rest and forget about the daily routine to turn these days into an unforgetta
vacation.
We are waiting for you!
Utopic Bike Travel www.utopicbiketravel.com info@utopicbiketravel.com

2. ITINERARY /
GIRONA MOUNTAINS / DAY 1 - 2
DAY 1: GIRONA
Individual arrival at hotel.
UTOPIC BIKE TRAVEL presentation.
Bicycles set up
Possibility of pickup at the Train Station or at the Girona Airport.
Please consult “Arrivals & Departures” in case of different arrivals or for
additional logistical information.
WELCOME TO CATALONIA!
Once settled in the hotel, our guides will give you information regarding
tour details and will complete the setup of your bike. You have spare time to
visit the “Barri Vell” (Old Neighborhood), the historical center of the city
where you can find unique constructions in Europe: the roman city walls,
“el Call” (one of the best conserved jewish quarters in Spain) and the Gothic
Cathedral, with the widest central nave in the world. We recommend too a
visit to the river Onyar colored houses that, together with the numerous
bridges and the Cathedral in the background, define the most emblematic
image of Girona.
At night we will have dinner in one of many traditional restaurants
available. Lodging in a central 4* hotel.
DAY 2: GIRONA – CAMPRODON 144 km / Elevation 2800m
After a good breakfast we start riding towards our first objective, La Mare
de Déu del Mont (1124m), undoubtedly one of the most challenging and
attractive climbs in Girona's province. At the top we find a Sanctuary with a
really impressive view.
We start then a descent to the village of Besalú, designated a Site of
National Artistic and Historical interest and Castellfollit de la Roca, a
village placed on the top of an spectacular 50m high basaltic rock.
We penetrate into the natural area of Alta Garrotxa riding through rural
roads. Alta Garrotxa is, undoubtedly, given its diversity and uniqueness, the
most important space in Oriental Pre-Pyrenees. Deep valleys surrounded
by cliffs and stone walls conform an impressive landscape.
The mediaval village of Beget is to be higlighted. With its stone houses
stepped on the river, cobblestone streets and with the imposing bell tower
of the romanesque church of "Sant Cristòfol" (s.XII).
We continue our trip towards Camprodon, where our hotel is located.
Dinner and lodging in a 4* hotel.
A THRILLING ROUTE
La Garrotxa, one of the best places to
practice cyclotourism in Catalonia
Garrotxa’s Volcanic Natural Park, the
best example of volcanic landscape in
the Iberian Peninsula and one of the
most important in Europe. Almost 40
volcanic cones and 20 basaltic lava
streams
The most charming medieval villages
in Catalonia
Natural Area of Alta Garrotxa, the
most important in Oriental Pre-
Pyrenees. Deep valleys surrounded
by cliffs and stone walls
Catalan cava tasting in a magnifiscent
medieval environment

3. ITINERARY /
GIRONA MOUNTAINS / DAY 3 - 4
DAY 3: CAMPRODON – OLOT 104 km / Elevation 2370m
Today's route crosses the Ripollès region, located in the Pyrenees, with an
spectacular itinerary through the Camprodon valley, with high mountains,
green valleys and little stone villages. Our first objective is the legendary
pass of Vallter 2000 (2144m), which has been final stop of a stage in Volta
Catalunya.
This 12 km pass is one of the hardest and most impressive in the Pyrenees,
with a very tough initial part but with an incredible finish. We will have the
chance to climb two more passes, El Pla d'en Plata (1360m and 6 km
through a nice concrete and high slope forest track) and La Terma (996m
and 3,5 climb through a another concrete forest track with a very
changeable and high slope -12% to 22%-).
Once we leave this track behind we start one of the most popular ascents in
this zone, El Coll de Canes (1120m) which connects the cities of Ripoll and
Olot. After La Terma, the climb to Coll de Canes becomes much easier, with
good tarmac and smoother slope (2% to 4%).
After this, only a long descent to Olot, capital of the Garrotxa's Volcanic
Area, is left. Transfer to our hotel located in the medieval village of Santa
Pau. (XIV century)
Dinner and lodging in a 3* hotel.
DAY 4: GARROTXA’S VOLCANIC ZONE
Free day. A spot like this deserves a stop in our way.
We invite you to explore the area either walking, riding or flying. Garrotxa's
volcanic zone is exceptionally beautiful, regardless of the way you choose to
do it.
At lunchtime we will go to one the most traditional restaurants of the area
to taste typical "volcanic" dishes.
In the afternoon we will visit the "Saints Museum", a patrimonial center
that allows us to discover the production of religious imagery in Olot, a very
important activity in the city with more than 100 years of history. We are
going to find a workshop at full activity and we will be able to follow the
whole manufacturing process. An interesting collection of images of Saints,
manger figures, Holy Week processions, decorative figures and emblematic
pieces of old workshops.
After this, we will visit the old town and will have dinner in a central
traditional catalan restaurant.
Lodging in the same 3* hotel.
FAGEDA D’EN JORDÀ
(JORDAN’S BEECH)
Do you know where the Jordan's beech is?
If you go around Olot up the plan,
find a place deep green
and never found overturned in the world:
as a green water inside, deep and clear;
the green of the beech in Jordan.
The walk on entering the site,
it begins to walk slowly;
has his steps in the great stillness
stops and does not feel anything, and is lost.
It takes a sweet oblivion of the world
in the silence of that deep,
and not thinking out there and think about it:
is made of beech wood in the Jordan
prisoner of silence and greenery.
Company Oh! Oh freeing prisoners
Joan Maragall (1860 - 1911)
Catalan Poet

4. ITINERARY /
GIRONA MOUNTAINS / DAY 5 –6
DAY 5: OLOT - BELLMUNT - OLOT 136 km / Elevation 2660m
After breakfast, we will move to la Vall d'en Bas, a delicious valley with one
of the most fertile soils in Catalonia and crossed by numerous streams that
flow into river Fluvià. We ride through a network of rural roads that
communicate all its populated areas to arrive to Hostalets d'en Bas,
designated site of historical and artisitic interest.
We then initiate the nice climb to Coll de Condreu (1017m), through a
narrow and winding road surrounded by a leafy forest. 12 km of smooth
ascent (5%). At the top we take a diversion to narrower road that will take
us to El Far Sanctuary, where we will enjoy a great view.
After another climb to Coll del Bac 1002m) a long descent to the city of
Manlleu and to the village of St. Pere de Torelló and we can already descry
our next destiny, Bellmunt Sanctuary (1246m and a final 400m very hard
section, with average grade of 14% and ramps up to 23%).
At the top, amazing views of several peaks of different mountain chains.
Dinner and lodging at the same 3* hotel.
DIA 6: OLOT - BANYOLES - OLOT 80 km / Desnivel: 1090m
We will enjoy today a gorgeous and not too hard route through the areas of
Garrotxa and Pla de l'Estany with a very popular trip in this zone. A typical
tour around Banyoles (Pla de l'Estany's Region Capital). To make it even
more attractive and a little more challenging, we've introduced changes to
the standard itinerary.
We will ride through Garrotxa's Volcanic Zone and will discover the famous
Fageda d'en Jordà and Croscat volcano. We will be going around Estany de
Banyoles (lake of Banyoles), the biggest natural lake of Catalonia that
hosted the rowing competition during the 1.992 summer Olympic Games,
and will ride to the medieval village of Santa Pau.
Free afternoon to enjoy hotel's facilities or to make some additional visits.
At night, dinner in one of the most emblematic restaurants of the area. We
will discover there why pa amb tomàquet (bread and spread tomato) is the
gastronomic symbol of Catalonia.
Lodging in the same 3* hotel.
ONE ROUTE, SEVERAL OPTIONS
Routes designed to enjoy them at
your own rate.
Take your time to take a good picture
or to have a tasty coffee.
The most important places and visits
have been taken into account.
Mileage has been calculated
thoroughly as well to keep you feet
till the end of the day.
Additional mileage offered for our
most exigent clients.

5. ITINERARY /
GIRONA MOUNTAINS / DAY 7-8
DAY 7: OLOT - SAU - OLOT 153 km / Elevation 2640m
A tough but unforgettable ride today through Collsacabra Natural space,
one of the most beautiful and inhospitable spots in Catalonia. Its
unmistakable landscape is characterized by the relief of its plateaus,
precipices that descend abruptly and green and deep valleys where
streams flow. Romanesque churches and hermitages appear everywhere,
as well as traditional country houses, waterfalls, natural springs,
prehistoric caves, more than 40 km of cliffs with an average height of
1100m, leafy forests, small medieval villages and even a reservoir.
The Sau reservoir, surrounded by forests and extremely steep cliffs is
considered one of the most peculiar in Catalonia. It's 17 km long and has a
maximum width of 3 km. Submerged under its waters we can find the
village of Sant Romà de Sau. Only the bell tower of its romanesque church
stands above the water level and can be seen from outside.
The visits to the medieval villages of Tavertet, with 48 extremely well
preserved rural houses build during XVII and XVIII centuries, and Rupit, that
maintain almost intact its architectural patrimony. Rustic XVI and XVII
century houses, cobbled streets, medieval bridge and its peculiar hanging
wooden bridge. Designated site of national artistic and historical interest, is
considered one of the most beautiful villages of Catalonia.
At night, farewell dinner and lodging in the same 3* hotel
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
After breakfast, transfer to Girona and end of our services.
NOTE: Possibility of extra days in Costa Brava, Girona or Barcelona. Consult
us.

6. WHAT’S INCLUDED? /
GIRONA MOUNTAINS
PRICES 2014
Minimum Group : 4 people*
Tours available from: March 1st to October 31st
Price per person (double occupancy) ……...………….…..…….. 2.250€
Supplements:
Single Occupancy supplement ............................................. 285 €
*Minimum group supplement (per person):
2 people group ……………………..……....…..…………………... 550 €
3 people group ………………………………..….……………...…. 275 €
Other options
Bike rental Bianchi Intenso......…….………………………...…….. 140 €
Transfers to Barcelona /hotel /Barcelona Airport ............. 50 €
Extra night in Girona, Barcelona, Costa Brava ………..……... Consult us
Optional Travel Insurance (2.500€ cancellation costs) 75 €
INCLUDED
Arrivals & Departures
Transfers to and from Girona Train Station or Girona Airport to Hotel
Lodging & meals
7 nights at selected 3* and 4* hotels and charming rural houses.
Breakfast every day, all lunches or picnics, snacks and drinks throughout
the route, dinners and local wines included in every meal.
Support
Minimum of one guide + one support vehicle. (depending on group size)
Road book with maps and tour documentation in spanish, english or
german.
24h personalized care.
Clothes clean and ready every day.
Luggage transportation during the tour.
Client transportation in our support vehicle if necessary.
Insurances
Travel and cancellation Insurance (consult policy)
NOT INCLUDED
Plane ticket, air taxes and airport taxes.
Bike rental.
Optional travel or cancellation insurance.
Guide tips
Personal items purchased during the tour.
Optional activities not programmed by Utopic Bike Travel
Any aspect not specified in the above section.
MAIN REASONS TO TRAVEL WITH
UTOPIC BIKE TRAVEL:
We design our own trips
*
Our team is formed by a group of
young nature and cycling lovers who
have decided that their passion would
become their way of life
*
Our guides have spent their lifes on
their bikes and have covered
thousands of miles on each zone
*
We want to share our experiences
with our clients
*
For us, every client is unique, every
need is different and every trip is
unrepeatable!

7. LODGING & MEALS /
GIRONA MOUNTAINS
LODGING
In UTOPIC BIKE TRAVEL we have made a selection of what we think are
special lodgings, regardless of their price or category. They are usually
located in unique surroundings and placed at historical or ancient buildings
with a great architectural value.
Charming and inviting places which are family-runned and join quality,
peacefulness and personalized care.
In this route GIRONA MOUNTAINS we will stay in little 3* and 4* hotels
(spanish qualification) and in rural houses. Given their characteristics, we
cannot allocate accomodation until we receive confirmation of availability
by the hotel.
MEALS & GASTRONOMY
To taste Catalonia can become a great experience! It possesses an
extraordinary lanscape and patrimonial richness, but it is undoubtedly one
of the main gastronomic destinations in the world. Catalan gastronomy
dates from classic roman age. A complex, assorted and rich cuisine, plenty
of mediterranean influences and based on all kind of products (seafood,
vegetables, and all kind of meat). It is adapted to every season and all sort
of traditions, as well. We cannot talk about gastronomy without including
wine. Catalonia is the number one producer of high quality wine in Spain
and one of the most important wine producing areas in Europe, holding a
great history. Ancient Greek and Roman introduced the wine-making
process and, by middle-age, catalan monasteries conitnued with this
practice. Nowadays, Catalonia has eleven protected denominations of
origin, spreaded throughout all our territor, with a great variety of white,
rosé and red wines.
In this tour we will discover the unique "volcanic" cuisine, based upon the
local products and traditions deeply rooted in the zone.
The rich volcanic soil gives great quality products like "farro" (special type
of corn flour), buckwheat, beans of "Santa Pau", potatoes, turnips, onions,
all kind of mushrooms, truffles, snails and excellent meats like pork and
wild boar.
Every morning abundant breakfasts containing dairy products, cereals,
bread, fruit and natural juices are waiting for us. Besides, in most of our
selected lodgings we will find typical cold meats (all sort of sausages and
ham), home made bakery and jam, and more…
Lunches are adapted depending on the route we are making and, therefore,
can be more varied. A picnic on the top of a hill, some snack in a bar by the
sea, energy bars right after surmounting a mountain pass…
In some of our trips we give the opportunity to our guests to explore by
themselves and do it their way to discover places or restaurants the might
find interesting. These meals are not included in the price of the tour.
Nevertheless, our guides will be delighted to suggest you any of our
favourite restaurants if you want.
GENUINE CATALAN GASTRONOMY
“Cuisine is landscape put into a
cooking pot” Josep Pla
TYPICAL PRODUCTS
Santa Pau’s beans, black turnips,
mushrooms, traditional cold meats
and cheese, “farro” (typical corn
flour), buckwheat, “Vall d’en Bas”
potatoes, “Ratafía” (traditional liquor
made of nuts and aromatic herbes)…
TYPICAL DISHES
Catalan sausage with Santa Pau’s
beans, traditional snails “ a l’adoba”,
roasted beef with mushrooms,
“patates dela Dèu” (meat stuffed
potatoes), duck with pears, pato con
peras, pig’s trotters with turnips,
“escudella i carn d’olla”…

8. ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES /
GIRONA MOUNTAINS
HOW TO GET HERE
Flights. We recommend you toarrive at least one day prior to the start of
our tour. It will allow you to adapt to a different time zone and will minimize
risks of missing the start of the trip because of flight delay. There are two
airports close to Girona:
Barcelona Airport – El Prat, is the biggest and most important airport in
Catalonia. 100 km from Girona. It receives flights from companies
operating all over the world..
Girona Airport – Costa Brava, much smaller. Is the closest one. There are a
few companies operating in it, most of them low cost like Ryanair. If you
come from a EU country this is the cheapest and best option.
There are several option to transfer from Barcelona Airport to Girona
(besides taxi).
Bus. There is a direct bus from the airport to Girona three times a day. It
takes 1 hour and 50 minutes from T2 terminal and 1 hour and 35 minutes
from T1 terminal.Further information in www.alsa.es
Train. If your flight’s arrival does not let you take the bus, train is available
too. You must go to Sants Station in Barcelona and then change trains to go
to Girona. Further information in www.renfe.es
Utopic Bike Travel offers an optional transfer service from Barcelona
Airport to Girona and vice versa. (consult optional supplements in the price
list).
DEPARTURE
If you want to fly the same day the tour ends, please schedule your flight to
leave after 16:00 PM to avoid delays due to traffic problems.
HOUR & MEETING PLACE
Girona / Catalonia. Our guides will be waiting for you in one of theses
places: Our Girona hotel, Train/Bus station, Girona - Costa Brava airport or
Barcelona - El Prat airport (with supplement)
One week prior to the start of the tour we will arrange our meeting place
and time. You will receive an email with our guides names and their contact
details. If you cannot get on time to the scheduled meeting please contact
our guides and, should they not be availabe either, please inform the hotel
of your expected arrival time. You will find all hotels contact details in the
mail once we have confirmed all reservations.
BOOK NOW
If you are ready just fill our
reservation form.
If you think this tour does no adapt to
your needs either because of its
duration, lodging category, or
budget...
BESPOKE TRAVEL
We are specialists designing taylor-made
trips. We can modify any of our
available tours or arrange a
completely new one for you. Tell us
your ideas a we can make it together.

9. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION /
GIRONA MOUNTAINS
WEATHER
Catalonia is famous for its warm days and fresh nights. Days are sunny and
hot in summer and mild in spring and autumn. You can expect lower
temperatures in the mountains zone, specially at night. But weather is
definitely privileged in Costa Brava: mild temperatures throughout the
year, with moderate oscillations and mostly sunny. This is the result of
Pyrenees protection in the North and Mediterranean Sea in the East. Cold
weather in winter is regulated by a warm stream, whereas higher summer
temperatures are alleviated by the fresh breeze coming from the sea.
Hottest months are July and August, november is the rainiest and January
and February are the coldest ones.
BIKE RENTAL
Check the specs of our bikes.
ACTIVITY LEVELS
We have tours for eveyone. You can find the one that suits you best.
FAQS
In our “FAQ” section you will find answers to all your questions.
INSURANCES
Every Utopic Bike Travel tour includes its Travel Insurance. Consult our
policy.
CONTRACT GENERAL CONDITIONS
Consult our contract general conditions.
IMPORTANT
This document is a generic travel offer that must be considered as
provisional since it is published beforehand the actual tour. The final travel
contract (handed once the payment of the tour is done) contains all the
services contracted definitely.
In Utopic Bike Travel we try our best to offer the perfect trip to all of ous
clients. This is why our guides reserve the right to modify the itinerary of
our routes either by weather or logistic causes.
ROADBOOK, MAPS AND BROCHURES
You don’t have to worry about
anything in our guided tours, but we
will hand you a roadbook containing
detailed information (maps, profiles
and suggestions to know what to
expect ahead of us).
SUPPORT VEHICLE
At your disposal throughout the day.
Food, drinks, clean clothes, bike
spare parts or simply to keep any of
the shopping you made during the day
or to take you back to the hotel ahead
of schedule.