Cycling The Mediterranean Pyrenees

Arrival at Collioure

You make your own way to Collioure. Pick up at the Perpignan airport or train station to Collioure (40 minutes) is optional with a supplement. Collioure is an old fishing village with its castle's foundations lapped by the Mediterranean itself, but now more famous for having inspired artists like Matisse and Picasso. Depending on your arrival time, you can choose to walk around the town, and/or take your electric bike for a short trip.

Collioure - Llança

Having been briefed about your electric bike (very simple!), the joys of cycling become immediately apparent as you happily whisk from village to port along this magnificent stretch of the Mediterranean coast with the distant 8,500 feet high Mount Canigou up to your right (snow often through into June). You will enjoy visiting the pretty little port of Port-Vendres, then Banyuls-sur-Mer, famous for its delicious aperitif and surrounded not surprisingly by vineyards, before climbing a little up onto a coastal "balcony" that takes you to Cerbere with lots of wonderful panoramas. You cross the border into Spain via the Coll dels Balistres, and then the views of the coves and creeks before you as you descend into Port Bou. The final section to Llanca offers more panoramic views, and at least 2 exceptional beaches - plenty of time for sunbathing and swimming! You stay in Llança, which is an attractive and interesting resort (lovely beach) and fishing port.

Distance : 42km. Elevation +1200m / -1216m

Llança - Cadaques

Today, you leave the port of Llanca (having walked around it the previous evening, we expect) and "coast" along passing beautiful beaches to the picturesque little port and marina of La Selva, protected by its horseshoe shaped bay. You can then choose to ride more or less directly through some lovely countryside to Cadaques, or, as we would recommend, ride out to the magnificently wild and unspoilt Cape Creus, with its lighthouse dominating the horizon, before following the "crumpled" coastline on a beautiful road into Cadaques. Salvador Dali lived in Cadaques for many years, and you can visit his wonderfully quirky house right by the sea on the outskirts of the village. Highly recommended, but needs advance booking - we will tell you how. Cadaques is many people's favourite along this coastline.

Distance : 22 or 36km. Elevation +452 / -414m or +680m / -610m

Cadaques - Sant Pere Pescador

It may be a bit of a shock to the system when you have to start the day with a climb up onto the hills above Cadaques, but you are rewarded with lovely views as you descend into Roses (a town with much history since founded by Greeks in the 5th century BC), adn renowned for the Castell de la Trinitat, phylloxera which destroyed its wine industry in the late 19th century, and one of the best restaurant in the world, El Bulli. Drop into the fascinating man-made marina village on its outskirts - and similarly as you pass Empuriabrava - but you mainly follow a small, quiet (and fairly flat) road into the historic riverside village of Sant Pere Pescador, just a kilometre or two from a rather impressive 7 km sandy beach.

Distance : 35km. Elevation 430m / -467m

Sant Pere Pescador - Estartit

This is without doubt the most panoramic day of your journey. You follow lanes and cycling paths close to long beaches all the way to Sant Marti d'Empuries. From there to L'Escala, there are almost endless panoramic views. L'Escala has avoided tourism excess, is located in one of the most beautiful bays in the world according to UNESCO no less, and has a variety of Romanesque churches and ancient houses worth visiting, but you can't leave without trying the one thing it is really famous for: anchovies !

Distance : 23km. Elevation +264m / -266m

Estartit - Begur

You climb the the Montgri Massif (not at all massive actually) to Toroella, renowned for retaining its medieval centre from when it was a Royal Port for the Kings of Aragon (until the river silted up). Next is the marvellously, but sensitively, restored medieval village of Pals with many architectural features, a 4 towered castle and a Gothic revival church as well as pretty alleys and squares. If you really like such places, then also visit Peratallada, just a few kilometres further. Now, however, you turn back toward the coast and follow its many creeks and coves as it twists and turns, finally inland, to reach Begur.

Distance : 30km. Elevation +750 / -550m

Begur - Calella de Palafrugell

This is a fairly short, but nonetheless lovely, largely coastal journey that, thankfully, begins with a gentle descent to the gorgeous coast at Fornells - reputedly it was this immediate area that inspired the name for the whole coast of Costa Brava. Lots of small coves with sandy beaches backed by pine trees, and so many opportunities for sunbathing and swimming. Decide which is your favourite along the route to Tamariu. From this - yet another largely unspoilt fishing-and- holiday village - you follow lanes up to the Sant Sebastia lighthouse where you are about 600 feet above sea level - enough for wonderful views, but not too tiring getting there. Finally, you pass through Llafranc (attractive in a quiet way, and with a great beach), and the small, some tiny, rocky coves and sandy beaches en route to your final, charming destination, Calella de Palafrugell. If you have energy to spare, then do visit the botanical gardens on Cape Roig, just a few kilometres south.

Distance : 16km. Elevation +540 / -690

End of stay

After breakfast, we will take you back to Collioure (you can collect your car if you have left it here) or to Perpignan airport or train station.