Gravel tour from Banyoles

If Banyoles is no longer considered Garrotxa, no big deal: the town on the largest lake in Catalonia is an excellent starting point for a gravel circular tour in the province of Girona. Not far from the lake (of karst origin and the largest in Catalonia) on which the rowing competitions at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics were held, start pedaling uphill towards the Rocacorba mountains.

Between the village of Biert and the col de cal Negre, the road has many changes in gradient and remains mostly in the woods until Mieres. You can appreciate a great diversity of Mediterranean and Euro-Siberian plants, several examples of mid-mountain fauna populations and green woods as far as the eye can see all around. Rocky limestone slopes with vegetation, beech forests and forests of holm oaks and Mediterranean pines also follow one another towards the church of Santa Maria de Finestres, near which the first long climb of the day begins, obviously gravel, towards the thirtieth kilometre.

Today's stage features another long climb, however, so make sure you have enough food and water to sustain a second sustained effort. The second climb begins near Sant Esteve and, especially in the first part, is constantly above 12% and on a rather loose surface. Climbing Rocacorba from the south-west side is really hard, which is why I advise you - once at the top - not to miss the opportunity to go up to the panoramic point and the sanctuary of Rocacorba, to maximize the effort made and to enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding valleys.

The descent to Banyoles is always mostly gravel, fun and around the extinct volcanic cone of El Puig. After Palol de Revardit, just before arrival, take a stop at the headquarters of Rocacorba Cycling, a splendid complex of restaurant, B&B, workshop and bike shop co-founded by road cycling champion Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio. The South African champion contributed to making Banyoles and the Rocacorba climb famous throughout the cycling world!