With 6,400 km of mountain bike trails and countless flat paths and routes, the Spanish region is a paradise for cycling enthusiasts and will be featured on March 12 and 13 at the first show dedicated to two-wheel tourism lovers.
The Catalan Tourist Board will participate in the first Italian show dedicated to Cyclotourism and bicycle travel, which will take place at the Fabbrica del Vapore in Milan on March 12 and 13. The event is dedicated not only to cycling travel enthusiasts but also to those who enjoy integrating cycling routes into their vacations and exploring a new way of traveling.
Catalonia has been at the forefront of cycling tourism for years, with a long-standing tradition and hundreds of local cycling associations that have created dedicated spaces in the Catalan road network. Today, almost all of the road network is passable with road bikes, and there are 6,400 km of mountain bike routes. The rise of cycling tourists has naturally led to the development of dedicated services. Currently, nearly 200 companies are part of a program that brings together the best professionals in the field: accommodation, bike rental and guiding companies, travel agencies, and destinations.
In short, a paradise for cycling tourism, thanks to a mild climate year-round and a diverse geography with routes winding through plains, plateaus, and mountain ranges: itineraries of varying difficulty levels to meet every “athletic” need.
“Cycling tourism for Catalonia represents a sustainable and accessible way to welcome tourists,” said Marta Teixidor, Director of the Catalan Tourist Board in Italy. “The perfect example of this vision is the Vies Verdes complex: the rehabilitation of old railway tracks covering a total of 160 km, transformed into ideal cycling paths. They are a way for us to connect tourists with nature and our most intimate history, as well as a great result of the redevelopment of a disused heritage.”
“Additionally, since these paths were designed for trains, they are mostly flat, making them suitable for the entire family or travelers with reduced mobility or any other disability,” added Marta Teixidor.
The Vies Verdes will be the focus of a presentation at the show by Norbert Bes, Director of the Costa Brava and Girona Pyrenees Tourism Board. The speech, titled “Catalonia: The Secrets of the Vies Verdes,” will be held on Saturday, March 12 at 11:00.
photo credit: Batista&Sans
But the possibilities are endless.
Santa Susanna and Calella, located on the Barcelona coast, have become exceptional destinations for cycling tourism. They are the gateway to the Montnegre i el Corredor Natural Park and the starting point for coastal routes along the rugged and rocky shoreline. On the Costa Daurada, from Mont-roig del Camp, Salou, or Cambrils, up to 140 kilometers of roads surrounded by nature, Priorat wines, and beautiful countryside make cycling a true pleasure. Further south, in the Terres de l’Ebre, there is a legendary pass that presents a great challenge for cyclists: the climb to Mont Caro. For mountain bike enthusiasts, the Val d’Aran and the Pyrenees are the perfect place, with technical routes surrounded by spectacular Pyrenean landscapes and wild nature.
On the Costa Brava, and in Roses, Blanes, and Lloret de Mar, there are routes where you can cycle with spectacular views of the Mediterranean. Girona has become one of the world capitals of cycling, with professional cyclists living and training there. To recover and enjoy the cycling atmosphere, you can visit one of its bike cafés.
For more information:
Photo Credit: Jase Wilson, Batista&Sans
