Overview

Cycle Spain Coast to Coast

Fully Supported Spain Cycle Tour

From San Sebastian to Tossa de Mar in 12 Days along the Pyrenees

Suitable for the 'Active' Rider.

From glittering San Sebastián with its world-renowned Michelin-starred restaurants and tapas bars to the ancient medieval city of Girona and on to Tossa de Mar on the Costa Brava. Experience “Wild Espana”. A Spain Coast to Coast cycle adventure taking in the Pyrenees Mountains in northern Spain from the wildness of the Atlantic to the blue warm waters of the Mediterranean. Daily averages are approximately 70 km and 1,000 meters of climbing per day. By comparison our Mizen to Malin Ireland End-to-End tour is 87 km and 800 meters over 12 days of cycling. If you fit the profile of our 'Active' cyclist (explore your rider style here), then our unique Spain Coast to Coast cycle tour will be a fabulous experience for you! All the thrills of northern Spain and the Pyrenees mountains in a gentler and more leisurely tour. Cycle high mountain passes one day, lush green valleys the next. Quintessential mountain-top villages, quiet, smooth roads meandering alongside steep river gorges, warm people, wholesome food and cold beer. All with the attentive support and easy-going encouragement of the Wild Atlantic Cycling team.

13 Nights 14 Days Available on request San Sebastian to Girona

Dates and Rates

date & duration price

Sorry no more departures available. You could get in touch with us at hello@wildatlanticcycling.com if you'd like to make a booking.

Inclusions/Exclusions

What is included in the tour

13 nights bed and breakfast in good hotels
Van support with snacks
GPX files of the route
Daily briefings
Route profile sheets
Suggested lunch stops (price not included)
Baggage transfer
Mechanical assistance and arranged repairs
Emergency pickup

What is NOT included in the tour

Transfer to start from Bilbao Airport on arrival day (Choice of two times. Price subject to numbers; approx £70)
Transfer at finish to Barcelona Airport on departure day (Choice of two times. Price subject to numbers, approx £80)
Removal, storage and delivery to Girona of your bike box or bag (price subject to numbers, approx £70)
Coffee breaks, lunch and evening meals (except the final meal in Girona which is included). Options and recommendations for stops will be communicated at each morning's briefing and noted on the daily route sheet
Optional trips / entry fees for any excursions you arrange independently
Insurance - you need to organise your own bike and travel insurance as required
Gels, high energy bars, energy powder and shakes - bring your own as per what works best for you and your tummy!
Bike hire (we recommend you bring your own)
Flights to Bilbao / from Barcelona

An email will be sent out prior to the tour with a link to order extras such as bike box storage, airport transfers and merchandise

Itinerary

Spain Coast to Coast Cycle Route & Itinerary

We start at the unique coastal town of San Sebastian in the Basque Country and finish on the Mediterranian coast at Tossa de Mar. The coast to coast route traverses the southerly and central regions of the Pyrenees and is designed to appeal to cyclists capable of riding 70+ KM and 1,000 Metres of climbing per day. Our very first tour will run in May 2022! A deposit of £350 will secure your place. We recommend booking early for this popular tour to avoid disappointment.

Arrival Day (no cycling)

Meet in our hotel in San Sebastian for briefing and bike fitting / prep. We provide transfers from Bilbao Airport (1 hr 15 mins)

Cycling Day 1 - San Sebastian to Leitza 54 KM 1380 Metres

Leaving the hustle of San Sebastian, we soon reach the green, rolling hills and valleys of rural Basque country. Our ride rises up alongside the meandering River Urumea. We are in lush, green, forested terrain. A steady 10 km averaging 4% climb takes us to the top of a short, flowy descent to our finish point in the traditionally Basque village of Leitza.

Cycling Day 2 - Leitza to Pamplona 64 KM 1008 Metres

A day of two parts. A hilly morning as we move from the Basque Country to Navarra. We climb two significant Cols - Uitzi at 802 m and then Zuarrarrate at 780 m. Both descents are gentle, non-technical and super fun! The second half of the day is flatter as we follow the Rivers Araquil and then Arga and on into Pamploma.

Cycling Day 3 - Pamplona to Sanguesa 57 KM 744 Metres

In contrast to yesterday, we kick off with open landscapes and distant mountains. We roll along enjoying the wide vistas and vineyards of this area. Tiny villages such as Lumbier make great places for a coffee and rest in the shade (or sunshine!).

Cycling Day 4 - Sanguesa to Jaca 75 KM 1024 Metres

Moving from Navarre into the Aragon valley, we follow the scenic banks of the Embalse de Yesa (Yesa Reservoir) fed by the two rivers – Aragon and Esca. This is a fantastic section of well surfaced and sweeping roads. Then it’s the steady, easy climb to our finish point – the historic, mountain town of Jaca, capital of this area with its 11th century cathedral and its 16th century Citadel. Jaca is a key point on the famous pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago.

Cycling Day 5 - Jaca to Ainsa 90 KM 1374 Metres

A day of fun cycling and our longest! Steady ascents and fantastic sweeping, moderate descents. Climbing begins early with distant snow-capped mountain views to ‘Peurto de Serrablo’ (1,291 m). On through rural and fertile areas with traditional villages and Spanish architecture. Then we follow the River Guarga gorge with steep rock faces and the river below us. A steady descent to finish in the beautiful village of Ainsa – reportedly one of the prettiest in the Pyrenees.

Cycling Day 6 - Ainsa to Barbastro 61 KM 1054 Metres

Today we move south from Aragon to Catalunya. A roller coaster road to the mouth of the reservoir where the river Cinca flows. Then south, hugging the shores of another stunning, turquoise coloured reservoir – El Grado. The region of Somontano de Barbastro, grows wines with a world-famous Designation of Origin. In the town centre is its 16th century cathedral of Historic-Artistic Heritage.

Cycling Day 7 - Barbastro to Balaguer 81 KM 823 Metres

The earlier part of today is largely through an area of high fertile and remote plains, at an elevation of approximately 400 m. Later we cycle to the Serra Llarga-Secans de la Noguera – a dryland area with unique characteristics situated in the heart of the central depression bordered by the Pre-Pyrenees. We finish in the town of Balaguer with its distinctive broad river (Riu Segre).

Cycling Day 8 - Balaguer to Solsona 87 KM 1272 Metres

Leaving Balaguer we cycle by the Pantano de San Lorenzo reservoir. Built between 1949 and 1957. This reservoir, filled with turquoise colour water makes for truly gorgeous ride, packed with panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains. The village of Camaras is nestled in the hills and some climbing begins here on quiet and remote roads to our finish.

Cycling Day 9 - Solsona to Berga 42 KM 691 Metres

We head north to the remarkable Llosa del Cavall reservoir – a well-known mecca for kayaking and bungee-jumping adventures! On leaving the spectaular banks of the reservoir we head towards the mountain ranges of Serra de Queralt in the Pyrenean foothills. Here you will enjoy cycling through a rich natural, landscape with red and black pine forests. Popular for mushroom pickers. Then it’s on to our stopover for the night – the buzzing little Catalunya town of Berga.

Cycling Day 10 - Berga to Olot 80 KM 1488 Metres

A meandering and hilly start to the day. Don’t expect flat or straight as we pedal the north side of the Panta de la Baells reservoir. We are in the Serra del Catlarás mountain range with its wonderfully enjoyable climb to the ‘Coll de Canes’ at 1,120m. Your reward is the wonderful, steady descent towards Olot. A 13 km downhill section with a non-technical, average gradient of 5.5%.

Cycling Day 11 - Olot to Girona 54 KM 591 Metres

From Olot we continue west via the ‘Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxabout’. This intriguing area features volcanic cones, lava flows, nature reserves, medieval castles & towns. After some gentle climbing in the morning, the rest of the day is largely a steady descent to Girona. A particularly beautiful afternoon highlight is cycling the quiet, peaceful roads by Lake Banyoles.

Cycling Day 12- Girona to Tossa de Mar 60 KM 780 Metres

Finish day starts relatively flat leaving Girona and heading south-east towards Spain’s beautful coastal town of Tossa de Mar. The day starts with some quiet and pleasant cycling. At approximately 35km we enter the Massís de les Cadiretes an area with lush mixed forest at 500 metres elevation with gorgeous valley and sea views. One of the most well-conserved examples of the original landscape of the Costa Brava.