Cycle Northern Spain (Self-Launched)
8 days · Catalonia, Spain
G Adventures charges £1,450
No-markup version: ~£405 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Cycle the heart of Catalonia independently on this 8-day self-launched loop from Barcelona to the Costa Brava. Spin through volcanic countryside and medieval walled towns, ride the Bici Carril into Girona, then roll down to the Mediterranean at Sant Feliu de Guíxols. Designed for the weekend cyclist — challenging enough to get the heart pumping, comfortable enough to still enjoy the streams, gastronomy and beaches. Hire your own bike, chain together local trains and stays, and watch the cost drop to a fraction of the guided price.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Barcelona & explore the Gothic Quarter
Barcelona
Arrive in Barcelona at any time. Check into a lively hostel near the Gothic Quarter or El Born, then spend the day wandering the maze of dark medieval streets, the cathedral and La Barceloneta boardwalk. Book your bike hire for the coming days.
🚌Airport bus or metro into the city (~£6)
🛏Budget hostel in El Born / Gothic Quarter (~£25)
- →Wander the Gothic Quarter labyrinth
- →Stroll La Barceloneta boardwalk and beach
- →Optional: visit La Sagrada Família
- →Optional: explore Parc Güell
- →Pick up your rental bike for the week
Train to Ripoll, ride into volcanic Olot
Olot
Take a morning regional train from Barcelona to the medieval town of Ripoll where your cycling adventure begins. Collect your bearings and cycle the route through the scenic Garrotxa valley toward Olot, gateway to the volcanic landscape of the Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa.
🚌Train Barcelona-Ripoll (~£12) + bike hire
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Olot (~£22)
- →Regional train Barcelona to Ripoll
- →Cycle Ripoll to Olot through the Garrotxa
- →Evening stroll of Olot's old town
- →Try local fuet and botifarra sausages
Explore Olot & the volcanic landscape
Olot
Enjoy a free day to explore this lovely village set among old volcanoes. Climb the dormant crater of Santa Margarida, visit the volcanic Croscat and the Fageda d'en Jordà beech forest, or chase waterfalls in the Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa Natural Park.
🚌Local bus or bike to park trailheads (~£5)
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Olot (~£22)
- →Hike the Santa Margarida volcanic crater
- →Visit the Croscat volcano / Fageda d'en Jordà
- →Explore Olot's art scene & modernisme buildings
- →Sample local volcanic-landscape wine
Cycle the Bici Carril to Girona
Girona
Start the morning on the Bici Carril, a dedicated greenway following an old railway line, and cycle through the countryside from Olot down to Girona. This scenic car-free path is the highlight stretch. Arrive into Girona in good time to explore the walled old town on the banks of the Onyar river.
🚌Self-cycled (bike hire included)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse near Girona Old Town (~£23)
- →Cycle the Bici Carril greenway to Girona (~44km)
- →Explore Girona's Jewish Quarter & Cathedral
- →Walk the medieval city walls
- →Tapas and vermouth in the old town
Rest day in Girona
Girona
A well-earned free day in Girona with no cycling. Walk the colourful houses lining the Onyar, visit the impressive Gothic cathedral, or climb the city walls for views. A favourite of food lovers — book a tapas crawl or a cooking class featuring Catalan cuisine.
🚌On foot
🛏Hostel or guesthouse near Girona Old Town (~£23)
- →Admire the colourful Onyar riverside houses
- →Visit Girona's Cathedral & Jewish Quarter
- →Walk the medieval city walls
- →Optional: Catalan cooking class or food tour
Cycle down to the Mediterranean at Sant Feliu
Sant Feliu de Guíxols
Depart Girona and ride toward the sea through the rolling Catalan hinterland, descending to the Costa Brava coast at Sant Feliu de Guíxols. Settle into a seafront hostel or guesthouse and unwind after the ride.
🚌Self-cycled (bike hire included)
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Sant Feliu (~£25)
- →Cycle Girona to Sant Feliu de Guíxols (~40km)
- →Relax on the beach
- →Explore the Sant Feliu monastery & harbour
- →Seafood dinner on the promenade
Beach time & coastal hiking, return to Barcelona
Barcelona
Enjoy the lovely town, relax on the beach or hike the coastal Camí de Ronda cliff paths before heading back to Barcelona by train for a final night. The Costa Brava is gorgeous but the greenway route back is scenic — or just let the train do the work and treat yourself to one last tapas night.
🚌Train Sant Feliu to Barcelona (~£12)
🛏Budget hostel in Barcelona (~£25)
- →Relax on Sant Feliu's beach
- →Optional: hike the Camí de Ronda coastal path
- →Return train to Barcelona (~£12)
- →Final night of tapas in the city
Depart Barcelona
Barcelona
Depart at any time. Squeeze in one last café con leche and patisserie in the old city before catching your flight, or extend a few days to tick off the remaining Gaudí sights properly.
🚌Metro / bus to airport (~£6)
🛏—
- →Morning in the old city
- →Depart / optional extra Barcelona sightseeing
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£405 | £1,450 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,045 per person (72%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£405
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Cycle Northern Spain (Self-Launched) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £405 per person for 8 days in Catalonia, Spain. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,450 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £405 — a saving of roughly £1,045 (72%) per person.
How long is the Catalonia, Spain trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Catalonia, Spain.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, foodie trip through Catalonia, Spain, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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