Families on two wheels

Catalonia’s varied landscape of sea and mountains is the perfect setting for you to go cycling as a family, whether on a regular cycle tour or a mountain bike tour. You’ll find routes where you can enjoy the diverse geography and the area’s rich natural and cultural heritage, and you can also stay in family-friendly accommodation to make your cycling adventure even easier. Pump up your tyres and let’s go!

Valls d’Àneu, biking in nature
If you sign up to the mountain bike tour offered by Esierri Bikes & Skim, you’ll get to enjoy the landscapes of Pla de Beret, the sanctuary of Montgarri and the village of Esterri d’Àneu. The activity also includes a taxi that takes you up to Pla de Beret. Children will love this 35-minute panoramic journey that will take them up to more than 1,800 m. Afterwards, you can just free wheel down the mountain among the impressive landscapes of Valls d’Àneu in the Pyrenees of Catalonia. A mountain adventure for the family… on wheels!

The Costa Brava, the land of cycle tourism for families
Grab your bikes and start touring the Cap de Creus Natural Park. This circular route will take you to Cala Montjoi, one of the most popular beaches in Roses. The Bicicletas y Rutas tour lasts for 2 and a half hours and you can do it at your own pace, stopping whenever you need to. The sea and the spectacular views will accompany you throughout the journey. If you do the route in spring or summer, don’t forget to take your swimsuit with you for a dip after all that pedalling! As well as this, you can choose the type of bike that you prefer, from electric to tandem.

Also on the Costa Brava, you have the chance to sign up for the Carrilet Route. It’s a Greenway between Olot and Girona that crosses forests, rivers and medieval castles such as Hostoles, as well as the valleys of the Fluvià, Brugent and Ter rivers, passing through verdant landscapes and other urban areas. You can do it in sections, as a whole, or for the amount of time you like. This Greenway follows the route of the old narrow-gauge train that used to connect Olot and Girona, and it is very well signposted.

If you’re still thirsty for more, there is also the Carrilet Route II. This Greenway provides a relaxing path in the middle of nature, between Girona and Sant Feliu de Guíxols. The most recommended section for you to do as a family is the second half of the journey, which runs through the Ridaura valley, which separates the Cadiretes massif from the Gavarres massif. Following this valley, children can cycle up the gentle slope that leads to the sea.

Sant Pere Pescador has a very flat bike path that you can cycle along with the whole family. The route follows the course of the Fluvià river and offers a fascinating experience for the children as you enter the Mig de Dos Rius Reserve, an area within the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park which is a wildlife refuge where you stop and observe nature. You will also go past virgin beaches, dunes and fields of fruit trees. The route lasts an hour and a half and has several viewpoints and a park with benches and tables where you can rest and have a bite to eat.

From Salou to Cambrils by bike

Salou is an ideal area for family cycling. It has 22 km of cycle paths, and some very flat and enjoyable routes by the sea. One of the most popular cycle paths is the one that connects the Port of Salou with that of Cambrils. It is a 7 km route where you’ll never lose sight of the sea. While cycling along this path, you will go past the Riera de Maspujols, a natural area inhabited by birds. Along the route you will find benches and areas with shade to rest and if the weather is good, you can end the family outing with a play on the beach. Once you have completed the route, you might fancy walking along the Camí de Ronda to stretch your legs and enjoy the sea views.

A guided route in Santa Susanna

Why not sign up for a guided tour of Santa Susanna? This route is perfect for families as it’s not too difficult. The guided tour starts in the centre of town and passes through some of the most emblematic sites, such as the Passeig Marítim, where there are watchtowers that were used many years ago to defend against pirates. It also goes into the surroundings of the Montnegre Corredor Natural Park, where you can see dolmens and menhirs, which are thousands of years old.

Enjoy the Terra Alta Greenway with your children

Can you imagine pedalling along an old railway line between forests, tunnels and viaducts? The Via Verda of La Terra Alta is a good option for a fun family cycle tour. The Montsport team recommends that you do the section of the Greenway that starts in Horta de Sant Joan and goes all the way to Pinell de Brai, and they will provide you with bikes and child seats if you need them. Much of the route runs alongside the Canaleta river, where you can stop to have a rest. You will also enjoy the landscape and the panoramic views of the Ports massif and the Pândols and Cavalls mountains.