Bike holidays in Barcelona: hit the trails where sea meets mountain

Bike holidays in Barcelona: hit the trails where sea meets mountain

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Discovering the best Barcelona bike trails

Put on your Lycra and go biking in Barcelona! This city is the perfect starting point for a cycling holiday. You'll find an incredible variety of landscapes to explore on two wheels, from tiny rocky coves to broad sandy beaches, from rugged mountains to rolling vineyards. Make Barcelona your starting point and discover the beautiful trails of Catalonia. Enjoy flat, family-friendly routes that take you from village to village, or embark on an epic cycling journey across the Pyrenees. This is the perfect spot for your next cycling holiday.

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Planning the routes for biking in Barcelona

Why choose bike holidays in Barcelona?

Barcelona is the perfect base for exploring the rich, beautiful landscapes of Catalonia. Choose holiday lettings in Barcelona as your base, then hop on your bike and set out on a voyage of discovery. To the north lies the Costa Brava, famed for its small, picturesque coves with perfect turquoise waters. Head south and you'll find the long, golden sands of the Costa Daurada, before arriving at the wetlands of the Delta de l'Ebre. If you go inland, the mountains are waiting for you. From the forested hills of Montseny to the rugged, enormous Pyrenees, there's something to suit every cyclist. Your cycling holiday in Barcelona lets you choose between mountains and coastal routes, cities and villages.

Where are the most beautiful Barcelona bike trails?

Serious cyclists flock to the Transcatalunya route. This is definitely not for the casual weekend rider. Stretching for 1,220 km, this epic loop is designed to show you the very best of Catalonia. If that sounds like it's too intense for you, the trail can be broken into different sections. The 450-km Catalonia Central-Pyrenees part is the toughest, while the Mediterranean section, which covers 420 km, is rather less strenuous. For something gentler, head to the Montnegre Corredor Natural Park, which lies on the coast near the city of Barcelona. There are lots of pleasant, beautiful mountain bike routes starting in the beach town of Santa Susanna. Many of these follow the coast, giving you lovely Mediterranean views as you cycle.

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FAQs: Bike trip in Barcelona

What's the best time of year to go on a cycling holiday in Barcelona?

If you can, avoid the summer months of July and August. Temperatures regularly hit 30°C, and the coastal areas in and around Barcelona can be extremely humid. What's more, you'll find huge numbers of visitors, particularly in the city and in popular coastal towns like Lloret de Mar or Salou. For pleasant, mild temperatures, visit in the spring or autumn. September and October are also great months for hiking in Barcelona. Don't be surprised if you find yourself sharing trails with locals laden down with baskets of mushrooms. Autumn foraging is an extremely popular pastime in Catalonia, but it's best avoided if you're not confident in your mushroom-identifying skills.

Which cycling routes in Barcelona are best for children?

Bringing the whole family on a bike holiday in Barcelona? Try heading north to the areas around the city of Girona. A network of trails, known as the Vies Verdes, run from the volcanic area of Olot to the Costa Brava. These trails are all built along old railway lines. As a result, they're never too steep, and there's no need to worry about sharing the road with cars. There are plenty of villages and towns along the way, so you'll never be too far from the next rest stop.

Are there any cycling routes I can follow inside the city limits of Barcelona?

Yes. One of the most popular Barcelona cycling routes will take you up Montjuïc, the landmark hill in the city centre. It's quite steep, but you'll be rewarded with great views from the top. There's also a castle to explore, and at the top of the hill, you'll find some terraces where you can relax with a drink. The 10-km Passeig de les Aïgues is another popular city route, frequented by both cyclists and hikers. The name, which means Water Passage, comes from the fact that water used to be piped along the route, so it is quite flat. Just make sure to go by day, as when night falls, wild boars come out to play.

How much does it cost to rent a bike for a cycling holiday in Barcelona?

In the city centre, you'll find a huge range of bikes available for rent. Book in advance to avoid disappointment, especially if you want a specialist vehicle. Touring bikes cost around €20 a day, while specialist mountain bikes or racing bikes can cost up to €50 per day, or around €140 for a week. If you'd just like to cycle around the city, you can also find fun alternatives like tandem bikes, e-bikes and cargo bikes.

Can I take my bike on public transport in and around Barcelona?

Many of the best bike trails start outside the city centre, so you might want to take your bike on a train to get to the starting point. The Rodalies trains, which have the letter R on an orange background as their logo, allow all bikes without restrictions. If you are travelling on a Media Distancia train, you should ask in advance. For journeys of over 100 km, you may need to pay a surcharge of €3 to bring your bike with you.