A real circular journey
Start and finish in Girona. No complicated end-point logistics: the route creates a complete loop through Catalonia and southern France.
Epic Expedition
Pirinexus: Ride the Great Circle of Girona, the Pyrenees and the Costa Brava
A cross-border cycling Expedition through medieval Girona, volcanic Garrotxa, Pyrenean passes, French Catalonia, Emporda vineyards and the Mediterranean coast.
The Pirinexus is not just a long-distance cycling route. It is a complete Mediterranean journey on two wheels: a circular ride from Girona into volcanic Catalonia, over the Pyrenean frontier into France, back through wine country and medieval villages, and finally along the Costa Brava before returning to Girona.
342.8 km GPXApprox. 4,713 m+1,519 m5-7 ride daysSpain and FranceMedium overall, with one demanding mountain day
The Expedition at a glance
Pirinexus connects northeast Spain's most iconic cycling landscapes into one circular route: Girona, La Garrotxa, the Pyrenean borderlands, French Catalonia, Alt Emporda, Costa Brava and the Carrilet greenway return.
Distance
342.8 km GPX / 353-360 km depending on variants
Ascent
Approx. 4,713 m+
Highest point
1,519 m
Duration
5-7 ride days
Start / finish
Girona
Countries
Spain and France
Ride type
Gravel / Touring / Trekking / E-bike / Light MTB
Difficulty
Medium overall, with one demanding mountain day
Best season
April-June / September-October
Signature
Volcanoes, Pyrenees, French Catalonia, Emporda, Costa Brava
Surface
Greenways, gravel roads, quiet asphalt, rural roads and cycle paths
Format
7 classic stages
Full Route Map
Follow the full Pirinexus loop
The route begins and ends in Girona. It moves inland toward Olot and La Garrotxa, climbs into the Pyrenean borderlands, crosses into France, returns through the Albera and Alt Emporda, reaches the Costa Brava and closes the circle on the Carrilet greenway.
Route logic
Real GPX loop with seven classic stages. Use the buttons to zoom from the full cross-border route into each ride day.
Girona -> Olot -> Prats-de-Mollo -> Ceret -> La Jonquera -> Costa Brava -> Girona
Real GPX lineSpain and France7 stage markersTerrain mapGPX download
A ride through the many faces of Catalonia
City, volcano, mountain, border, plain, coast and return
Some cycling routes are beautiful because they follow a coast. Others are memorable because they cross mountains. Pirinexus is rare because it does both, and more.
It begins in Girona, one of Europe's great cycling cities, where old stone streets, medieval walls and cafe terraces create the perfect departure point. From here, the route follows greenways and river corridors toward Olot, entering La Garrotxa, a volcanic region of forested cones, dark soils and old rural villages.
Then the ride changes character. The route climbs toward the Pyrenees and becomes a true borderland journey. Crossing into France, the Expedition enters Vallespir, where the culture remains deeply Catalan but the rhythm becomes French: market towns, cafes, plane trees, stone bridges and fortified villages.
After the mountain crossing, the route turns back toward Spain through the Albera and Alt Emporda. The final chapters bring Peratallada, Pals, Palamos, Platja d'Aro and Sant Feliu de Guixols before one last greenway carries the rider back to Girona.
Why ride Pirinexus
A complete long-distance cycling experience
Two countries, one cultural region
Ride from Spain into France and back again, crossing a frontier where Catalan history, food, language and landscape continue across the border.
Huge landscape variety
Greenways, volcanic country, Pyrenean climbing, French valleys, vineyards, wetlands, medieval villages and Mediterranean coast.
Perfect for gravel and e-bike travel
Adventurous without being overly technical, ideal for gravel, touring, trekking, e-bike and light MTB formats.
Strong travel product potential
The route works as a 5-day express ride, a 7-day classic Expedition or a premium slow-travel version with food, wine, luggage and cultural add-ons.
Seven chapters, one complete journey
Each day changes the ride
Stage 1 57.4 km / +725 m Moderate
The Greenway Into Volcano Country
Girona to Olot
The Expedition begins in Girona, one of Europe's great cycling cities. The first stage leaves medieval stone and cafe life behind, then follows green corridors, quiet roads and old railway logic toward Olot.
What to feel: A calm departure, steady rhythm and the feeling of entering a deeper landscape.
Culture: Girona old town, historic bridges, rural Catalan villages, Olot and La Garrotxa.
Food: Garrotxa cheese, local sausages, mushrooms in season, beans and rustic mountain cuisine.
Stage 2 69.3 km / +2162 m Hard / queen stage
The Pyrenean Crossing
Olot to Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste
This is the defining day. Pirinexus stops being a gentle touring loop and becomes a true cross-border journey, climbing from the volcanic basin of Olot toward the Pyrenean frontier before descending into France.
What to feel: Effort, scale and achievement. This is the mountain heart of the loop.
Culture: La Garrotxa villages, the border crossing and Catalan culture on both sides of the frontier.
Food: Mountain food, cheeses, charcuterie, stews and French Catalan dinner.
Stage 3 31.3 km / +463 m Moderate
Into French Catalonia
Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste to Ceret
After the queen stage, the route descends through Vallespir into a warmer French Catalan rhythm. Ceret rewards riders with cafes, markets, stone streets and a softer southern French pace.
What to feel: Relief, flow, descent and cultural immersion.
Culture: Vallespir valley, French Catalan villages, Ceret old town, cafe and market culture.
Food: Bread, cheese, wine, market produce and French Catalan dishes.
Stage 4 32.1 km / +572 m Moderate
The Borderlands of the Albera
Ceret to La Jonquera
Stage four reconnects France and Spain through the lower Pyrenean borderlands. It marks the shift from mountain frontier to the open Emporda plain.
What to feel: Transition. The mountains are behind you and the Mediterranean plain is ahead.
Culture: Albera foothills, cross-border Catalan geography, rural border roads and return to Spain.
Food: Catalan grilled meats, local wines, olive oil and simple rural cuisine.
Stage 5 66.7 km / +253 m Moderate
Across the Emporda Plain
La Jonquera to Torroella de Montgri
The route opens into the Emporda: vineyards, olive groves, medieval villages, wetlands and wind. The Pyrenees remain behind the rider while the Mediterranean starts pulling the route forward.
What to feel: Space, wind, distance and the first sense of the sea.
Culture: Alt Emporda wine country, olive groves, wetlands, medieval towns and mountain views.
Food: Emporda wines, olive oil, rice dishes, anchovies and local produce.
Stage 6 43.1 km / +233 m Moderate
Medieval Villages to the Costa Brava
Torroella de Montgri to Sant Feliu de Guixols
The sixth stage is the visual reward: medieval villages, stone lanes, agricultural calm and then the sea. Palamos and Sant Feliu turn the loop into a Mediterranean journey.
What to feel: The route becomes luminous, coastal and celebratory.
Culture: Torroella de Montgri, Peratallada, Pals, Palamos and Sant Feliu de Guixols.
Food: Seafood, prawns, rice, fish restaurants and coastal Catalan cooking.
Stage 7 42.9 km / +305 m Easy to moderate
Carrilet Greenway Finale
Sant Feliu de Guixols to Girona
The final day follows the Carrilet greenway back to Girona. The route closes with the satisfaction of a true loop: coast behind you, city ahead, the full geographic story complete.
What to feel: Flow, return and completion.
Culture: Sant Feliu de Guixols, Carrilet heritage, Girona evening and post-ride celebration.
Food: Girona restaurants, Catalan small plates, local wine and celebratory dinner.
Culture, geography and food
The route tastes different every day
Girona
Medieval walls, old town, cathedral, Jewish quarter, cycling culture, restaurants and cafe life.
La Garrotxa
Volcanic landscapes, forested cones, local produce, cheese, beans, mushrooms and mountain cuisine.
Pyrenean Frontier
Long climbs, mountain valleys, historic border identity and Catalan culture across Spain and France.
Vallespir / Ceret
French Catalan life, market towns, cafes, stone streets, art history and valley riding.
Alt Emporda
Wine country, olive groves, open plains, wind, wetlands and mountain views.
Costa Brava
Fishing towns, sea air, Mediterranean light, seafood, beach arrival and coastal celebration.
Choose your Pirinexus format
Classic, express, e-bike or slow travel
The route exists. Epic turns it into a smooth, memorable and realistic bike journey: stage rhythm, hotel logic, food stops, e-bike charging, optional luggage and support.
Pirinexus Classic
7 riding days
Best for: Most riders, couples and small groups.
Balanced daily distances, the full cultural experience and enough time to enjoy Girona, Garrotxa, Ceret, Emporda and the Costa Brava.
Plan this formatPirinexus Express
5 riding days
Best for: Fit gravel riders and endurance groups with limited time.
Same full loop, less time, bigger days and tighter overnight logic.
Plan this formatPirinexus E-Bike Explorer
6 or 7 riding days
Best for: Mixed-level groups, scenic riders and e-bike travellers.
The same Expedition with charging logic, smoother effort and more time for cultural stops.
Plan this formatPirinexus Premium Slow Travel
8 days / 7 nights
Best for: Riders who want food, wine, boutique stays and deeper local context.
Adds Girona, wine in Emporda, market culture in Ceret, seafood on the coast, luggage transfer and optional guiding.
Plan this formatMore than a GPX file
What Epic adds
Route Intelligence
We structure the full loop into realistic stages based on distance, climbing, terrain and overnight logic.
Accommodation Logic
We match the stage rhythm with suitable towns, hotels, guesthouses and bike-friendly stays.
Food and Culture Layer
Each day includes local food, villages, landscapes and cultural highlights.
E-Bike Planning
Charging logic, range awareness and realistic daily effort for e-bike riders.
Optional Support
Transfers, luggage, bike rental, guide options and local support can be added by format.
Ride Confidence
You know what kind of day is coming before you ride it.
Download GPX
Download the Pirinexus GPX
Use the full GPX to explore the complete loop, or ride the Expedition with Epic and receive the route divided into clear daily stages with practical notes, food stops, cultural highlights and accommodation logic.
Pirinexus FAQ
Ride the Great Circle of Girona