Long established as the ultimate road cycling destination, Girona has hidden treasure for gravel and MTB riders seeking the ultimate routes and memorable off-road experiences. It offers you and your group a huge network of traffic-free dirt and gravel roads, a stunning variety of singletrack trails and all within a couple of minutes of a breath-taking city. Few locations can have you off-road just a few hundred meters from riverside cafes and bars. The routes cater for riders at all levels from those new to gravel to those looking for sweet singletrack or technical rocky descents. Gravel guiding in Girona is in its infancy and whether you want to ride to the beach or ride like a beast, Grit | Girona is the best guide you’ll find.

Grit | Girona has all of your trip covered from bike rental to accommodation through our partners, and in addition offers riding technique tuition and fitness coaching.

Dave Smith, founder of Grit | Girona, has coached world champion downhill MTB racers, Olympic medallists in MTB cross country, numerous cyclo-cross national champions and grand tour stage winners and leaders jersey holders. His knowledge of the trails and dirt roads around Girona is encyclopedic having committed hundreds of hours to getting lost and found, going far and away, and above and beyond. Dave doesn’t guide by following other people’s gpx routes, but from hours of solo exploration, often successfully finding trails to avoid in future!

His knowledge extends to the best coffee and ‘boc stops’ (lunch) in rural areas, where to find drinking water, and even where to swim after those dreamy long hot summer rides.

“I recently relocated to Girona and had heard amazing things about the local gravel scene. So expansive is the gravel that I had no idea where to start. Dave’s knowledge of the gravel routes around here is like no other. There’s a reason even the locals refer to him as ‘The King of Gravel!’ Highly recommend letting Dave show you the very best of the Girona gravel scene. Your mind will be blown!”

Jack Thompson, Ultra Endurance Cyclist

“I’ve lived in Girona for 8 years and thought I knew all the roads until Dave introduced me to some of the sickest gravel rides, some serious gems that were hiding in plain sight. It’s unadulterated fun getting shown these trails, with the best company, good laughs, and a fair covering of mud.”

Nathan Haas, World Tour professional, Team Cofidis

“I was new to off-road riding and the gravel routes that Dave showed me have not only opened my eyes to the opportunities to improve my fitness and skills, but have been an absolute hoot to ride. Some special places and fun times, with decent coffee and food popping up when we needed it. Full marks.”

Freddy Ovett: Professional cyclist, L39ION of LA

ROUTE ONE: RUSTIK

This route takes you east by the river Ter across the relatively flat Emporda region to Rustik cafe, one of the favourite food stops for cyclists in the region. The food and coffee are fantastic, the fruit and yogurt bowls are a work of art and as the village bakery, you know the pastries aren’t going to disappoint either. Note that it is closed on Wednesdays and closes daily at 1.30pm, but it’s less than 2 hours ride from Girona so you should get there in time for some great food and chat. Alternative food stops are in the main square in Verges and it’s worth a detour on the way home to Doskiwis brewery in Rupia, a great place for weekend food and incredible beer, and often live music. This route is suitable for road bikes with 28m tyres, but take a few spare tubes!

Distance: 77km – Climbing: 300m

ROUTE TWO: PRIME BOC STOP

Heading west along the banks of the river Ter, this route heads into some sweet gravel roads in the hills before dropping down to the small town of Amer and a great food stop at Snack Bar Torrent. Climbing back a little, the route takes you through a miniature Australian outback area of red dirt and Eucalyptus trees, then down a sweet gravel road descent towards the river at the own of Bonmati, before taking you back to Girona along the Via Verde bike path. There are some rough rocky sections, but nothing overly technical. Not suitable for road bikes.

Distance: 53km – Climbing: 525m

ROUTE TWO: PRIME BOC STOP

Heading west along the banks of the river Ter, this route heads into some sweet gravel roads in the hills before dropping down to the small town of Amer and a great food stop at Snack Bar Torrent. Climbing back a little, the route takes you through a miniature Australian outback area of red dirt and Eucalyptus trees, then down a sweet gravel road descent towards the river at the own of Bonmati, before taking you back to Girona along the Via Verde bike path. There are some rough rocky sections, but nothing overly technical. Not suitable for road bikes.

Distance: 53km – Climbing: 525m