Carrilet I (Olot - Girona)

Comfortable from Olot to Gironde via the Via Verdes: many parts of the route are in the shade of large trees; it's also mostly downhill..😃

The Vía Verde offers us a varied cycling stage through the volcanic region of the Garrotxa until we reach Girona, whose medieval Jewish quarter is just one of the many sights in the picturesque old town.

The first stage of the Pirinexus Cultural Heritage Route takes me from Girona through the foothills of the Pyrenees to Olot, a town in the heart of the Garrotxa volcanic landscape. But before we set off, I have an extensive breakfast at La Comuna, a legendary café in the Barri Vell. This is where Girona's cycling community meets for coffee before and after their rides. Well-fortified, I set off on the Greenway Carrilet I, one of the many cycle paths in the Ecovías de Girona network, heading towards Olot. The "green cycle path" starts right in the city, leads me along the Ter river and winds its way on fine gravel past lovingly designed community gardens and through green forests. The Ruta del Carrilet soon winds uphill between moss-covered rocks through secluded nature. The gravel has given way to a stony surface, and the cool, damp forest air is pleasantly refreshing. But a thunderstorm is brewing in the distance, and I accept the race against the rain. The last section leads me through the Parc Natural de la Garrotxa Volcanic Zone right into the old town of Olot, which is built on four volcanoes. I reach my accommodation just in time before the downpour. There is time for a shower and shopping for dinner before I meet Millaray, who will take me to the RCR architecture studio. Originally, we wanted to see RCR's works in public spaces, but the thunderstorm thwarted our plans. Instead, Millaray decides to show me the RCR headquarters in the Barberí Space, a former art and bell foundry. Here I get an authentic insight into the work and creations of the architects, who excel at merging architecture and landscape. After an inspiring tour, which still ends in the old town of Olot – because the rain has subsided in the meantime – I return to my holiday apartment and cook myself a delicious dinner. More information about the RCR architecture studio can be found here: https://www.rcrarquitectes.es/en/rcr/ My accommodation in Olot: https://www.eljardinetdesantesteve.com/en/

Carrilet I, from Girona to Olot. A very scenic route, it climbs the former railway line to Olot at a constant 2% gradient. There are occasional short sections along the route that climb at 13-14%. Overall, it's a good ride, although for longer stretches, the gravel from the trackbed was used to reinforce the track, making it quite bumpy. This time, it was more difficult to find food along the route. Several restaurants along the route have closed since last year. The volcanic cones that characterize the landscape are typical of La Garrotxa. From Montsacopa in Olot, you have a beautiful view of the volcanic cones and Olot.

What a great fun and quite relaxed gravel bike tour from Olot to Girona. Most of the route is on the old railway line that ran from Olot to Girona at the beginning of the last century until 1969. Has now been converted into a beautiful gravel tour. First with the bike bus to Olot, so that it is mainly flat or slightly descending. Really relaxed except for a few small clamps. Unfortunately komoot refused the first 10 km service, so that the first part including photos is not included, which is of course a shame. The total route is 60 km.