Ter River Greenway Trail Challenge

The Ter River Greenway Trail Challenge begins where the city’s pulse slows—the forecourt of Girona’s train station, where gravel bikes and nervous excitement mingle with the morning coffee crowd. From there, we roll south, not on a punishing climb, but on a shuttle-assisted lift that carries us past the dull fire road and drops us straight into the good stuff: a flowing descent that unfurls toward Palau-sator. The trail here is a ribbon of packed earth that bends around limestone outcrops, and the Mediterranean light filters through olive groves, making the dust shimmer gold. It’s an easy ride, but not a lazy one—the kind that rewards a steady cadence with long, sweeping views of the Montgrí massif, its solitary castle perched like a stone sentinel above the plains.

The real character of this route, though, is the Ter River Greenway itself. For kilometre after kilometre, the old towpath runs beside the river’s green-brown water, where the air smells of damp reeds and wild fennel. The surface is forgiving—smooth forest road and packed singletrack—so you can actually look up, watch a grey heron lift off the shallows, or feel the cool breath of the riparian shade. We pause mid-morning at the Cafe del Pont, a weathered spot where the locals nurse cortados and the bridge’s iron trusses cast long shadows over the water. It’s a coffee stop that feels earned, even if the pedalling has been gentle.

Then the terrain begins to change, subtly at first, as we edge into the Garrotxa volcanic region. The flat river path gives way to loamy switchbacks that coil upward under a canopy of cork oak, their bark cracked into deep, russet furrows. Here, the trail narrows, and the tyres dig into soft, dark soil that smells of damp earth and leaf mould. It’s on the steepest of these sections that we stop for a quick skills coaching session—not because you need it, but because a little guidance on body position and weight shift makes the next descent feel effortless, almost playful. The singletrack through the volcanic hills is technical in a friendly way: roots to hop, a few tight corners, but nothing that will have you walking unless you want to.

By the end of each day, the distance adds up—231 kilometres in total, with a surprisingly modest 444 metres of climbing, spread across the multi-day rhythm of four to six hours in the saddle. This is a ride for anyone who wants to cover real ground without the burn of a big mountain day: a fit beginner with a good attitude, a roadie curious about dirt, or a seasoned mountain biker who simply wants to savour the landscape rather than conquer it. The terrain shifts from open coastal plains to shaded volcanic slopes, but the thread is always the same—a greenway that feels both ancient and alive. You finish each stage tired in the legs, but light in the head, with the taste of river air and cork dust still on your lips.

Ride highlights

• A shuttle-assisted climb to skip the fire road
• A flowing descent finishing near Palau-sator
• Loamy switchbacks under cork oak canopy
• A skills coaching stop on the steepest section
• Technical singletrack through Garrotxa volcanic region

How the day unfolds

1. Day 1

   Welcome and shakedown ride

   Bike fit, a short loop into Garrotxa volcanic region to test the legs, and a welcome dinner in Girona.

2. Day 2

   The big day: Turó de Montgrí

   The toughest stage of the week, taking in Turó de Montgrí and the villages around Garrotxa volcanic region.

3. Day 3

   Villages of Garrotxa volcanic region

   A varied day linking Palau-sator and the surrounding countryside at a comfortable pace.

4. Day 4

   Rest day or optional ride

   A free day in Girona, or an easy optional spin for anyone who wants to keep the legs moving.

5. Day 5

   The big day: Turó de Montgrí

   The toughest stage of the week, taking in Turó de Montgrí and the villages around Garrotxa volcanic region.

6. Day 6

   Villages of Garrotxa volcanic region

   A varied day linking Palau-sator and the surrounding countryside at a comfortable pace.

7. Day 7

   Farewell ride

   A short final loop near Ter River Greenway followed by a long lunch before transfers home.

What is included

On the road

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