A bicycle getaway with the family

From the Pyrenees in the north to Terres de l’Ebre in the south, following the Mediterranean coastline or delving into the wealth to be found inland, Catalonia provides a chance to enjoy a thrilling ride on two wheels with the whole family. As well as more demanding routes for experienced cyclists, there are also itineraries with gentle slopes and lanes that are suitable for everyone.

Catalonia lies in an exceptional Mediterranean setting, with a varied landscape of sea and mountains and a warm climate throughout the year. Cycling with your kids is the perfect way of enjoying its diverse geography, its rich natural and cultural heritage, its first-rate gastronomy and its family-friendly accommodation to complement your cycling adventure.

Family cycling in Vall de Boí

Find out more about Girona on the Vías Verdes

The best way of combining the inland region and the Mediterranean coast is to use the paths known as the Vies Verdes (greenways). These are itineraries suitable for hikers and cyclists which follow the routes of old and disused railway lines. There are three Vías Verdes in Girona and provide pleasant routes for families wishing to pedal through nature.

You can learn more about Girona on the Iron and Coal Route, a paved track that runs parallel to the River Ter and goes past the monastery of Santa Maria de Ripoll, the Ogassa mines and the municipality of Sant Joan de les Abadesses. The route continues as far as Olot, where the Ruta del Carrilet (Narrow-Gauge Railway Route) begins, which crosses the volcanic area of La Garrotxa, the Vall d’en Bas and the valley of the River Ter until it finally reaches the city of Girona. The second Ruta del Carrilet begins here, linking the capital city of Girona with Sant Feliu de Guíxols as it crosses three counties and through twelve towns, running through the valleys of the Fluvià, Brugent and Ter Rivers. The carrilet was a narrow-gauge train that ran between Girona and Olot until the 1960s. 

Family cycling on the Via Verda of Tarragona

Terres de l’Ebre and Terres de Lleida, also on two wheels

The Vies Verdes continue as far as Tarragona. The Baix Ebre and Terra Alta routes link the massif of Els Ports up with the mouth of the River Ebro through the forests and tunnels and over viaducts. You can visit places of interest such as the old town of Tortosa, as well as the Ebro Delta, an area with a wealth of nature and biodiversity that is ideal for a slower-paced bicycle tourism.

It’s also suitable for cycling families on the plains of Terres de Lleida. The Pedals del Canal d’Urgell route is an ideal way of finding out more about the region by discovering one of the most important hydraulic engineering works in Catalonia. All these routes can be completed within a short space of time, devoting a few days to them and stopping off at the various kinds of accommodation available in the region. Or you can choose a single stretch to enjoy at a more relaxing pace, it’s up to you.

When’s your next trip?