Old Railway Greenway Leisure Circuit

The day begins beside the river at the Sarrià de Ter bridge, where the last murmur of Girona’s outskirts fades into the green quiet of the Guilleries hills. This is a ride for unhurried mornings—for those who prefer the rhythm of pedals to the pulse of an itinerary. The route is easy, genuinely so: a gentle 20 kilometres on compact gravel that rolls beneath your wheels without demanding much of your legs. The 301 metres of climbing are spread so thinly across the afternoon that you’ll barely notice them, which is precisely the point. There is no need to prove anything here, no group to keep pace with, no regrouping anxiety. You ride at the speed of your own curiosity.

The spine of the journey is the Old Railway Greenway, a car-free corridor that once carried trains through the forested foothills and now carries cyclists, walkers, and the occasional dog on a long, shaded leash. The surface is firm and forgiving—fine gravel that crunches softly under tyres—and the canopy of oaks and pines filters the Catalan sun into dappled light. You’ll pass through cuttings where the rock walls still hold the marks of old engineering, and over small bridges where the forest opens just enough to reveal a glimpse of distant ridges. The air smells of resin and dry herbs, and the only traffic is the occasional bird startled from the undergrowth.

About halfway along, you’ll reach the ruins of Sant Miquel de Cruïlles, a Romanesque hermitage that stands alone in a clearing, its stone walls warmed by the afternoon sun. This is the natural spot for a picnic—spread your provisions on a flat rock or lean against the ancient apse while you eat. The greenway continues past this point, weaving between fields and woodland until it delivers you to the village of Sant Martí Vell, where the day’s second ritual awaits: an ice-cream break. The local bar serves cold drinks and proper gelato, and you’ll want to linger on the terrace as the shadows lengthen across the cobbles.

Before that, though, there is the small matter of a coffee stop at Espresso Mafía, a place that takes its caffeine seriously in a region where coffee is often an afterthought. Pull up a chair, watch the barista work the machine, and let the bitterness cut through the sweetness of the morning air. The route is bookended by these small pleasures—a coffee, a picnic, an ice cream—each one earned not by effort but by presence. This is a ride for families, for couples, for anyone who wants to feel the countryside without fighting for it. The greenway is flat enough for a child’s first longer outing, shaded enough for a hot day, and quiet enough that you’ll hear your own thoughts between the birdsong. By the time you roll back toward the bridge at Sarrià de Ter, the day will feel longer than it was, and that is the best measure of a ride like this.

Ride highlights

• A picnic stop near Old Railway Greenway
• A flat, car-free greenway through Guilleries hills
• Shaded paths away from traffic
• A relaxed pace with no regrouping pressure
• An ice-cream break in Sant Martí Vell

How the day unfolds

1. 08:30

   Bike fit and coffee

   Meet your guide at Sarrià de Ter bridge, fit the bike and take on a coffee before rolling out.

2. 09:15

   Into Guilleries hills

   The first stretch warms the legs on quiet roads towards Guilleries hills.

3. 10:45

   The Sant Miquel de Cruïlles section

   The main effort of the day, with the guide setting a steady, sustainable pace.

4. 12:30

   Lunch near Sant Martí Vell

   A relaxed stop for food in or near Sant Martí Vell, with the bikes in view.

5. 14:30

   Past Old Railway Greenway

   An easier afternoon section taking in Old Railway Greenway.

6. 16:30

   Return to Girona

   A final flowing stretch back into the city with a drink waiting on arrival.

What is included

On the road

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