- This event has passed.
20/03/2023 - 28/03/2023
Tour de Costa Brava & Girona Pyrenees
Event type
Stage ride
6 stages
7 nights
Full support
Support car with mechanic
Difficulty levels
A unique and spectacular road cycling experience.
Unparalleled adventure in the GRAND TOUR / stage race style. 6 demanding stages – 10 most important climbs of the Costa Brava and Girona Pyrenees.
The best selection of routes, incredible scenery, the full support of our experienced staff. All this combined with well selected quality accommodation and cycling oriented F&B.
With us you will get a taste of participating in a GRAND TOUR. Concentrate on enjoying the routes, we will take care of the rest.
The stages will be guided in at least two groups of different levels.
Each group will be led by an experienced guide. The groups will be accompanied by a support vehicle and a bike mechanic.
Our well organized refreshment stations will be another highlight of each stage.
Route
Stage 1 | Tossa de Mar – Roses
[Along the Costa Brava]
Distance: 110,46 km, Elevation gain: 784 m+
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The first stage is 120 km long. The first part of the route runs along one of the most famous and emblematic roads of the Spanish coast, the GI1732 from Tossa de Mar to Sant Feliu de Guixols. A rollercoaster with views of the magical coves in the heart of the Costa Brava. The second part is flatter and more rolling. The stretch between Palamós and Roses will allow to increase the average speed of the stage as the Baix Emporta region is quite flat.
Stage 1 will be a perfect warm-up in a spectacular setting.
Stage 2 | Roses – Banyuls sur Mer (FR)
[Cap de Creus + Tour de Madeloc]
Distance: 97,01 km, Elevation gain: 2187 m+
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The second stage is shorter, but this does not mean a rest. The profile of this stage is very challenging. Apart from two climbs in the Cap de Creus national park to finish, after crossing the French border, the participants will have to climb the mythical Tour de Madeloc. In this stage the cumulative elevation gain will reach almost 2200m as the stretch of the coastal road connecting the Cap de Creu with the Madlock massif is not completely flat.
Breathtaking views and a lot of elevation gain.
Stabge 3 | Banyuls sur Mer – Olot
[Catalan Pyrenees on both sides of the border]
Distance: 158,79 km, Elevation gain: 3089 m+
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The third stage is the queen stage. The route planned for this great day begins with a gentle climb to the Col de Banyuls and continues across the border in the direction of Espolla. On the Spanish side the participants will descend to sea level to start climbing towards the Darnius Reservoir and continue along the picturesque road to Massanet de Cabrenys and Tapis back towards the Spanish border. The border crossing on this road is located more than 800 meters above sea level. The French part of this stage begins with a descent to the Tec River, where the biggest challenge of the day begins: the ascent through the Prats de Mollo to return to the border between France and Spain located at more than 1500m above sea level. The last part of the route is much less demanding – participants will descend between the high mountain meadows to Olot where we have scheduled the accommodation.
La verdadera etapa reina.
Stage 4 | Olot – Vallter 2000 – Olot
[The famous climb to Vallter 2000 ski station]
Distance: 114,87 km, Elevbation gain: 2360 m+
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The highest point of the whole program – the Vallter 2000 ski resort – is located at an altitude of 2150 meters above sea level. The ascent will be very interesting, as the atmospheric conditions at this altitude are very different from those that participants will encounter in the morning in Olot. High mountain – very high mountain. There is only one road up to Vallter 2000, so the ascent and descent will be on the same route. This stretch is beautiful and exciting in both directions. The ascent to Vallter starts in Camprodon. The road links both on the way up and on the way back will not be boring at all. In the last part of the stage the groups will pass through the famous Bac Valley (La Vall del Bac) and through one of the most picturesque medieval towns of the whole region of Girona – Castellfollit de la Roca.
A test at high altitude.
Stage 5 | Olot – Girona
[Descent to Girona + highlight: Mare de Deu del Mont Sanctuary].
Distance: 96,13 km, Elevation gain: 1525 m+
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During the fifth stage the participants will head towards the capital of the region – Girona. Halfway through the relatively easy stage, everything will change: the beautiful and majestic climb to the Sanctuary of Mare de Deu del Mont will put the cyclists to the test again.
After the break at the top, the participants will descend the other side of the mountain to reach the plain of Girona, passing through quieter roads and taking the opportunity to go around the lake of Banyoles to reach the old town of Girona.
Ascent to Mare de Deu del Mont – beautiful but demanding.
Stage 6 | Girona – Tossa de Mar
[GRAND FINALE – Sant Hilari de Sacalm and Sant Grau d’Ardenya].
Distance: 116,39 km, Elevation gain: 1504 m+
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Before reaching the coast, stage 6 passes through the highest municipality of the region of La Selva – Sant Hilari de Sacalm. The climb to San Hilari starts in Angles and passes through Osor. After topping out at Sant Holiari, participants will descend the sunny side of the mountain to Santa Coloma de Farners and return to the lowlands of Girona to reach Llagostera where they will turn off the main road to climb the last mountain of this tour – Sant Grau d’Ardenya. After the descent to the coast road (where the tour started) the participants will ride along the Mediterranean sea to get back to Tossa de Mar. This is where we will celebrate…
THIS WILL BE LEGENDARY!!!
The stages will be guided in at least two level groups – fast and medium.
Stage 4 (Vallter 2000) will start and finish in the same place (Olot) so participation will be optional. This can help all participants who accumulate some fatigue during the first 3 stages.
It is a demanding route and it will be practically impossible to face the challenge without previous preparation.
It should be noted that some basic technical skills will be essential – especially those related to descending and group riding.
- 6 tours / stages with experienced guides
- Support vehicle and bike mechanic during the whole event
- Accommodation in 4 star hotels
- Sport oriented breakfast and dinner
- Refreshment break during each stage (adequate and well organized)
- Luggage transport between each hotel
- Transfer from / to the airport [arrival and departure / Girona or Barcelona airports] for participant and bike
- Basic service and maintenance of the bike after each stage
- IMPORTANT: Flights are not included in the price of the event
- The most famous coastal road of the Costa Brava [GI-682].
- Cap de Creu National Park and its climbs
- Impressive ascent to the Tour de Madeloc
- The best cycling roads in the Catalan Pyrenees [both on the Spanish and French sides].
- Climb above 2000m [Vallter 2000].
- Visit to the Mare de Deu del Mont Sanctuary
- Ride around the lake of Banyoles
- Ascent to Sant Hilary Sacalm and descent to Santa Coloma de Farnes [GI-551]
- Afternoon in Girona
- The GRAND FINALE – Sant Grau d’Ardenya
¡Full support!
During the stages the participants have the full support of our team of guides and vehicles.
The vehicle is provided with natural nutrition, electrolytes and water. In each stage we will be served a roadside lunch: a well prepared stop with a buffet that includes carbohydrates, proteins, fruits and drinks of different types.
Tossa Cycling’s guides are very experienced. Besides guiding the groups, they will keep them safe, motivated and animated. The guides speak the local language and know the region very well.
We have prepared an optimal selection of hotels for each of the nights. The comfortable 4* hotels will help participants to rest and prepare for the demanding stages.
Breakfast, dinner and nutrition for the trip are prepared especially for the cyclists.
Participants will start the day with a buffet breakfast at the hotel. On the way, they will enjoy an efficient meal served by the support team and will be kept fueled throughout the day with nutrition from the support vehicle.
Dinner will be served at local hotels and restaurants, depending on availability and needs.
Tossa Cycling offers high quality road bikes that can be rented for this event. Within the registration form you will be able to add this service to your reservation.
Here you will find the details related to the available bicycles: