Biking the Rail Trail in Costa Brava, Spain
If you only had one option to get around Europe, then I would recommend by bike. Especially if you are in the northeast of Spain around Costa Brava. Wide open landscapes, warm weather in summer and cute towns around every bend make it a cyclists haven.
Check out our awesome short video below of my adventure biking the Rail Trail in Costa Brava.
A multitude of old rail trails dissect the landscape and provide the perfect excuse to see the hidden gems of Spain and work off all those tapas you have been eating. Not to mention the fine wine that you have been guzzling.
Biking the Rail Trail in Costa Brava
Descending from the Pyrenees to the pearly white sandy beaches dotted along the Mediterranean Sea the biking pathways crisscross this beautiful landscape.
With just a simple bike you can meander along along abandoned railway tracks that have been converted into gravel cycling paths suitable for all abilities, including kids. With minimal inclines you don’t even have to break a sweat, yet can still cover 30+ km’s in just a couple of hours.
The entire cycling network is over 125 km in length and is broken into 4 distinct routes; the Iron and Coal Route, the Olot-Girona Narrow-Gauge Railway Route, the Girona-Sant Feliu de Guíxols Narrow-Gauge Railway Route, and the Little Train Route.
Make sure you check out Vies Verde de Girona for more information on the Greenways around Costa Brava. They have maps, secret spots to be discovered and all the things you might not have thought about.
Along the way the old railway stations have been converted into Tourism Information centers as well as small cafes so that you can rest your legs.
On our first day we covered 35 km in just a few hours. And that was with plenty of rest breaks to snap photos and have a coffee.
Plus you can compare your hotel and accommodation options before you go. This way you will know exactly how far you have cycle each day and then you can rest when you need to.
While it took 2 days for our butts to get used to molding into the seats, I would jump at the chance to do it all again. Especially with views like this to look forward to.
Travel Tips and Information
You can Bike the Rail Trail with Ciclo Turisme and find out more about the Greenways in Costa Brava by checking out Vies Verde de Girona who can provide maps and information.
You can fly direct to Girona airport, in Costa Brava, from throughout Europe.
Disclaimer: I was a guest of the Costa Brava tourism board for 3 days, although the video footage, photos and opinions are always our own.
Category: Adventure Travel, Europe
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi slang for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We love all types of adventures that make us step outside our comfort zone, in comfort, including surfing, skiing, snowboarding, diving and cruising on our bikes. You can find out more 
Love the video! Great memories.
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Cheers Andrea
Was a great couple of days with some lovely people!
Nice video Cole
– I’m surely going to take your options of seeing the place on a bike when I do visit the place.
Thanks Abishek! Bikes are much better for the environment and wildlife too
The views do look incedible and the weather looks nice too. Great photos. Seeing the area by bike sounds like an excellent idea, you can cover a lot of ground, but still be in the environment. Sad I just sold my bike, ha. Thanks for the info.
We had hire bikes and they were perfect. The team fitted us out and away we went!
The key word in this post is “descending” from the Pyrenees. Certainly wouldn’t want to bike those hills in the other direction!
Haha you got that right! Luckily it is not a huge decline either, rather a gentle slope.
What a beautiful place to go for a ride nice pictures and article too.
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Thanks Carla
Families would love it!
What a stellar backdrop for a bike ride!
Raymond @ Man On The Lam recently posted..The Magical Mediterranean
Not many places can beat Costa Brava for its scenery.
Wow, that is such a great video
Really captured the essence of the trip. Plus, it had me doing a skid. Which was so like.. rad. And stuff!
Nice video and amazing pictures, Cole. What a place to go for a bike ride.
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Even though it was lots of exercise, it was somehow very relaxing at the same time! I guess the beauty of the area helps, plus the enormous amounts of food we ate haha.
I think bikes could be a great way to get around and I would love biking myself, if it weren’t for the seats. It’s hard to fathom that, in all the years since the invention of the bike, and with all the improvements to the bicycle since, the one thing they haven’t managed to do is invent a more comfortable seat. I usually last a few hours, before I start hating my bike and then it takes a few days before I can once again enjoy sitting down.
It usually takes about 3 days before your butt gets used to the seats. Problem is that on a cycling trip like this you don’t get time to ice it haha.
Wonderful tour of Costa Brava my friend and loved the video too…that bridge looked a wee bit harrowing though…my stomach flopped over once on my virtual ride. LOL. Stunning pics too!
Thanks Jeff! I just made sure I didn’t get too close to the edge to look over the bridge
Hey Cole,
I agree that cycling is the best way to travel. Not only exposes you to views all A to B, but also gives you enough time to fully appreciate and think about them. The efforts always pay back and it’s unforgettable. I have cycled the full length of Vietnam (only 2500 km) and I didn’t get enough. Yes, the seat is uncomfortable and I don’t think I got used to it in nearly two months, but nothing will give you as much exposure to scenic landscapes as your bike.
On the note, I think the best way to plan your biking journey is not to plan it. Some days you can cycle for 30 km and can’t move any further, and other days 110 km is easily achievable. In my opinion booking in advance can limit you on the day, and could be more expensive. On a bike you can visit few hostels/hotels to ask for prices within little time and save money this way.
I hope you’re going to cycle more. I’d love to read more from you about it (and see another video!).
Safe travels,
Cez
Wow cycling the full length of Vietnam is my dream! Wanted to just do it on a scooter but biking sounds like way more fun Cez! We are going to cycle around Eastern Europe next summer
The best thing about biking is being able to stop and take photos, have a rest, and that kind of thing. The worst thing is sore legs. That’s why I used an electric bike in Costa Brava! (Shortly before I asked someone to peel my grapes and feed them to me…)
You are a man of luxury Mr Turtle.
Thanks for this… I thought i had heard of most of the cycle routes in Spain, but this one slipped me by completely. At least i know what I will be doing the next time i am there now!
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It is only a really new cycle track so that is probably why you missed it Dave! I think they plan to increase the length over the next year or so. Should be fun next summer
I have recently taken up biking again and have done so on the road too. Costa Brava looks to be an ideal setting for that. I loved your pictures!
Costa Brava was perfect for it because the rail tracks are all nice and flat. Means you can take it at a much more leisurely pace
I’m not that into cycling – I only learned how to do it recently when I lived in Belgium – and now even thr thought of a gradual incline puts me off – but I guess a rail trail would be mostly flat. And the fact that you can stop for coffee along the way… well that’s not too bad
You can get electric bikes if you want Jade
I just couldn’t get enough of Costa Brava and will definitely be going back, putting bike trails like this on the agenda — perfect for working off the tapas and wine.
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I have never eaten so much food before than when we were in Costa Brava! Was glad to do a bit of exercise every day to burn a bit of it off Cathy
I really liked the video, especially the down-to-the-wheel perspective (which I would never be able to manage *while* cycling!!).
This goes straight to my ever-growing travel wish-list!
Haha luckily I had a little tripod I could hang onto Oriana to get some of those shots. And looks like I am going faster in the video than I actually was
That was totally a big biking event! Biking like this is fun and how I wish I could join like this event. That was totally fun. Thanks for the video I enjoy it.
Thanks Danyelle! I really enjoyed making the video and hope to have some more up soon
Biking is always been my favorite sport activity and when it comes the Rail Trail in Costa Brava , I would get there to do that even if I forget to wear my Pants! Thanks
Bicycling looks like a great way to see the countryside. Beautiful photos!
After this trip we definitely now want to cycle more of Europe. Maybe Eastern Europe for a few months next summer…
Sometimes, we easily forget one of the most exciting modes of entertainment in our travels which are bicycles.
Who would not love to bike along these lovely trails!! Beautiful captures and a wonderful video to go with them
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And the trails were pretty much flat the entire trip! Hardly worked up a sweat
Definitely something I would enjoy.
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I usually last a few hours, before I start hating my bike and then it takes a few days before I can once again enjoy sitting down.I just couldn’t get enough of Costa Brava and will definitely be going back, putting bike trails like this on the agenda
This is awesome and a great adventure. The views are superb and inspiring.
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Hi Cole! Thank you for this post! It’s great to know that you spend such a wonderful time here in Girona and its surroundings going by bike and all the other activities you made during TBEX meeting. Telling your experience via blogging it’s one of the best ways to let people know about all the nice and interesting places you’re visiting, and even more when you can see this “adventure” on a video. It’s great!
Let us know if you come to Girona again, you’ll be very welcome anytime!
BTW thank you to mention Cicloturisme website
Would LOVE to return to Girona and Costa Brava to going cycling again. Such an amazing part of the world and we will definitely need to return
Will be in touch for our next visit!
Hello! This summer I will visit for the first time the Costa Brava, and I would love to do a cycling tour. I’m staying at the Hotel Garbi in Calella de Palafrugell. Do you know any route from that village? I’d like to stop to bathe on the beaches and coves, but also to visit villages of the area. Thank you!
Gina
Hi Gina!
Unfortunately I don’t know Costa Brava that well. I would recommend getting hold of Cicle Turisme or Vies Verde de Girona who can help you organise it though!
Cheers,
Cole