REVIEW · CATALONIA
Cycling in the Green Ways and Country Roads of Girona
Book on Viator →Operated by Girona Cycling SL · Bookable on Viator
Pedal through Girona’s volcanic and lake country. I love that you can choose routes from 10km to 200km, depending on your fitness and how much time you want in the saddle. I also love the way cycling connects to real place-based history, including Coves de Serinyà, described as Spain’s oldest prehistoric caves.
Expect about 7 hours outdoors, using route maps and GPS support rather than guesswork. One thing to consider: this is not for people who can’t cycle well, and you should have moderate physical fitness for country-road riding.
A standout from the experience setup is the guide support. Gareth is specifically mentioned for giving detailed maps and route descriptions, plus extra help with getting to the location and back to Barcelona.
In This Review
- Key highlights worth planning around
- Why Serinyà works so well for Girona cycling
- Choose your distance: 10km to 200km without feeling out of place
- The itinerary stops: Besalú, Garrotxa volcanoes, Banyoles lake, Serinyà caves
- Stop 1: Besalú — medieval streets plus a standout mikve detail
- Stop 2: La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park — quiet country roads with volcanic backdrop
- Stop 3: Estany de Banyoles — follow the GreenWay toward the lake of Banyoles
- Stop 4: Coves de Serinyà — Spain’s oldest prehistoric caves
- Bike gear and route support: what you get and why it matters
- Pickup, transfers, and meeting points without the headache
- Price and value: what $30.10 gets you for 7 hours
- Who this ride fits best (and who should skip it)
- A quick note on the guide experience: maps, local color, and practical help
- Should you book this Girona cycling tour?
- FAQ
- FAQ
- How long is the cycling tour?
- Where does the tour start and end?
- Are there different route lengths for different fitness levels?
- What’s the ride like: GreenWay or country roads?
- What are the main stops during the ride?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- What bike gear is included with the rental?
- Do you get maps or GPS navigation?
- Is pickup available?
- Can I cancel for a refund?
Key highlights worth planning around

- Route options from 10km to 200km so you can match the ride to your legs
- GPS route maps and emergency back-up for a calmer ride through country roads
- Bike rental gear included (helmet, spare inner tube, repair kit, pump)
- Four big stops: Besalú, Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, Estany de Banyoles, Coves de Serinyà
- Serinyà as your base with the day ending back at the meeting point
- Guide Gareth’s routing help including detailed maps and practical local context
Why Serinyà works so well for Girona cycling

This ride is built around one simple idea: start in Serinyà (meeting point at 17852 Serinyà, Girona, Spain) and build a day that mixes pedal time with meaningful stops. You’ll ride out, hit the key waypoints, and then return to the same meeting point at the end.
It also helps that the meeting area is described as near public transportation. That matters because you’re not just paying for a bike and a vague route—you’re trying to coordinate a day-trip rhythm without wasting time.
And since the tour is private (only your group participates), the pacing and route choice are more likely to fit your group’s ability. That’s a quiet quality-of-life win if you’d rather not bike at someone else’s speed.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Catalonia.
Choose your distance: 10km to 200km without feeling out of place

This is one of the biggest strengths of the experience: different routes are offered for different abilities, ranging from 10kms to 200kms. In other words, you’re not forced into one “do it all” day just because the tour exists.
In plain terms, that flexibility changes the whole vibe:
- On the shorter end, you can focus on getting the highlights—Besalú, the Banyoles area, and the Serinyà caves—without feeling like the day is a test.
- On the longer end, you can turn it into a proper countryside excursion through volcanic and lake-adjacent terrain.
The day is listed as about 7 hours, so pick a route length that matches your stamina. If you’re deciding between options, I’d treat the distance range as a sign that you truly can tailor the experience, not just “survive it.”
The itinerary stops: Besalú, Garrotxa volcanoes, Banyoles lake, Serinyà caves
Your cycling day is structured around four main stops. The good news is that each one adds something different—medieval town character, a volcanic natural park setting, lake scenery, and deep-time prehistoric sites.
Stop 1: Besalú — medieval streets plus a standout mikve detail
Besalú is your first major waypoint. It’s presented as Medieval Besalu, and it’s also known for a mikve that may be the oldest still standing in Europe. That’s a specific piece of architectural and cultural history that makes the stop more than just a pretty town break.
The practical angle: this is the kind of pause that gives your legs a recovery moment while still keeping the day tied to story and place. It’s also early enough to set the tone before the route pushes deeper into countryside and nature.
Stop 2: La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park — quiet country roads with volcanic backdrop
From Besalú, the ride continues toward La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park. The description is clear that the area is where you get Pyrenees and Garrotxa volcanoes as a backdrop, with cycling on quiet country roads.
Here’s what that means for you: you’re not biking through a city “view” of nature—you’re moving through the countryside itself. That makes the route feel more like a journey than a sequence of stops.
One consideration: since this is country-road riding into a park area, you’ll feel distance and climbs more than on flat, urban routes. If you’re choosing your route length based on comfort, think of this stop as the “nature mileage” section of the day.
Stop 3: Estany de Banyoles — follow the GreenWay toward the lake of Banyoles
Next comes Estany de Banyoles, the lake of Banyoles. The tour overview points out that you can bike along the GreenWay either toward the lake or toward Besalú, depending on the route option you take.
This is where the cycling tends to feel smoother and more straightforward, because GreenWays are built for exactly this kind of outing. Even if you pick a longer route, the lake area tends to provide a visual reward that makes the miles feel purposeful.
If you like rides where scenery and breathing space matter, this stop is one of the reasons the day works. A lake setting also gives you a strong sense of arriving at something real, not just passing through.
Stop 4: Coves de Serinyà — Spain’s oldest prehistoric caves
Finally, you reach Coves de Serinyà. The experience description calls it the site of the oldest prehistoric caves in Spain. That’s a big claim, but it’s specifically tied to this place, which makes the ending feel meaningful rather than just logistical.
It’s a great way to wrap the day because you cycle from medieval and volcanic terrain into deep-time history. After hours of moving through the region, the caves offer a moment that feels like the landscape has layers—human story to geological story.
Bike gear and route support: what you get and why it matters
This isn’t one of those tours where you show up and hope everything works out. The included bike rental covers real basics for comfort and trouble-free riding:
- Helmet
- Spare inner tube
- Repair kit and pump
That package matters because a flat tire or a minor mechanical issue can ruin a day fast on a rural route. You’re not stuck waiting for help that may not come quickly.
You also get route maps and GPS support. The tour includes:
- Route maps & GPS routes
- Emergency back up while biking
In practice, GPS reduces decision fatigue. Instead of worrying about navigation at each turn, you can focus on the ride and the stops. And since the day can include different route lengths, GPS support is a big help for groups that are spread across abilities.
Pickup, transfers, and meeting points without the headache
Your start point is set at 17852 Serinyà, Girona, Spain, and the tour ends back at the meeting point. That simple structure is easier than tours that drop you off elsewhere.
Pickup is offered, and transfers can be arranged in extra. One specific included transfer is called out clearly: the transfer from Serinyà bus stop to Mas Pelegri is included, while other transfers cost extra.
If you’re arriving by bus, there’s a useful detail: if you’re coming via Teisa bus from Girona or Barcelona, you should let the operator know your arrival time so they can meet you. That one step can save you from the awkward late-arrival scramble.
Also note: private transportation isn’t included. So if you’re thinking of using rideshare or other direct transfer services, plan to cover that separately.
Price and value: what $30.10 gets you for 7 hours
The price is listed as $30.10 per person, for an experience that runs about 7 hours. That’s not a “grab-a-bike-and-go” deal; it includes the rental bike plus gear, and it includes GPS-based routing support with emergency back-up.
Here’s why the value can make sense:
- You’re paying for bike rental with safety and repair essentials (helmet, spare tube, kit, pump).
- You’re paying for route maps and GPS guidance, which reduces the effort needed to plan and navigate.
- You’re paying for a structured day with multiple meaningful stops, including Besalú, Banyoles, and Serinyà.
The main trade-off is that private transportation isn’t included. So your true cost depends on how you get to Serinyà and whether you need any extra transfers from Girona or Barcelona.
One more practical note: the experience is described as being commonly booked about 10 days in advance on average. If you want a specific route length and want fewer planning surprises, I’d lock it in ahead rather than assuming last-minute availability.
Who this ride fits best (and who should skip it)
This tour is stated as welcoming all levels, but with an important filter: routes are offered from 10km up to 200km, and the activity expects moderate physical fitness.
So who this suits:
- You want a cycling day in Girona that’s not just about motion—you also want stop-based history and specific place highlights.
- You can comfortably handle quiet country roads and spend hours riding.
- Your group benefits from having options (shorter vs longer routes) instead of one fixed distance.
Who should think twice:
- If you cannot cycle, this is not recommended. The description is direct on that point.
- If moderate fitness is a stretch, you’ll need to choose the shorter route option and be honest about your comfort.
Also remember it’s a private activity, so it’s ideal when you value your own group’s pace rather than syncing with strangers.
A quick note on the guide experience: maps, local color, and practical help
One highly praised part of the experience is the guide support. Gareth is singled out for being thorough with local context and for providing detailed maps and descriptions of various routes in the area.
That kind of guidance matters because it turns GPS from a tool into a plan. You’re not just following a line—you’re understanding why you’re going there, and what route choices mean for effort and time.
There’s also a practical side mentioned: Gareth helped one rider get to the location and back to Barcelona. If you’re arriving with bus schedules or trying to coordinate a day-trip connection, that extra help can be the difference between smooth and stressful.
Should you book this Girona cycling tour?
I’d book it if you want a value-focused bike day that’s more than a loop around town. The combination of included bike gear, GPS route support, and high-impact stops—Besalú, Garrotxa volcanic terrain, Banyoles lake, and Coves de Serinyà—makes it easy to justify the time.
I’d hesitate only if you’re unsure about cycling ability or you don’t want to handle moderate physical effort on rural roads. The day is structured around riding, not sightseeing by foot.
One more reality check: the experience is non-refundable and can’t be changed for any reason. If your schedule is shaky, plan carefully before you pay.
FAQ
FAQ
How long is the cycling tour?
It’s listed as approximately 7 hours.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts at 17852 Serinyà, Girona, Spain and ends back at the meeting point.
Are there different route lengths for different fitness levels?
Yes. Routes are offered from 10km up to 200km.
What’s the ride like: GreenWay or country roads?
It can include cycling along GreenWays (such as toward the lake of Banyoles) and quiet country roads, including routes into the Garrotxa volcanic area.
What are the main stops during the ride?
The planned stops are Besalú, La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, Estany de Banyoles, and Coves de Serinyà.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes, it’s offered in English.
What bike gear is included with the rental?
Bike rental includes a helmet, a spare inner tube, a repair kit, and a pump.
Do you get maps or GPS navigation?
Yes. You receive route maps and GPS routes, plus emergency back-up while biking.
Is pickup available?
Pickup is offered. If you arrive by Teisa bus from Girona or Barcelona, you should share your arrival time so they can meet you. A transfer from Serinyà bus stop to Mas Pelegri is included, while other transfers are extra.
Can I cancel for a refund?
No. This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.






















