Price for this tour - 180 euros (up to 6 people) including bike hire.
Start
Girona city
We start our journey on the edge of the old part of the city that takes us
straight onto the Carrilet. The first section of the journey is on a tarmac
part of the track. It is well signposted and is solely for the use of
cyclists.
Quart – 5 kms from start
The approach to Quart is through a mixture of woods and the valley of the
river Ter. Quart is renowned for its artisan produce. We continue through
the town and start to enter into the plains that sit below the Les Gavarres
protected area.
Cassa de la Selva – 15 kms from start
This town was a major producer of the cork that was harvested in the nearby
Les Gavarres area. Once the cork had been dried and processed it was
transported on the Carrilet to Girona. The cork industry is still productive
today, however, it is being threatened by the introduction of other products
that are cheaper to manufacture.
We can refresh our water bottles here as there is one of the converted train
stations that has toilets and drinking water.
Llagostera – 20 kms from start
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The open stretch of fields between Cassa de la Selva and Llagostera allows
us to appreciate that the farming industry in this area is still very much
alive and thriving. We have enjoyed glorious views across the fields with
the proud Masias (homesteads) of the farms sitting overlooking them. On
occasions we glimpse birds of prey scouring the fields for their feed.
Approaching Llagostera we can see its large and dominating church sitting
centrally above the rest of the town. Again, Llagostera has a converted
train station to allow us to refuel. Nearby there is a café that entices us
with the smell of a freshly brewed coffee.
Santa Cristina d’Aro – 30 kms from start
We have a gentle descent out of Llagostera as the Carrilet passes through
tall stands of pine, gum and cork trees. The track makes its way from the
plains of Llagostera to the hilly and heavily wooded coastal scenery of the
Baix Emporda. We stop for a well earned drink at Font Picant, the most
picturesque of the converted railway stations. It is located in a shaded
area with plenty of outdoor tables to refresh thirsty cyclists.
There is a natural spring in Bell Lloch, which is a short cycle from here
and it is well worth visiting to drink the natural sweet water that comes
from the Les Gavarres hills. There are two springs to choose from here. One
is the typical sweet spring water and the other is a sparkling variety that
gets its sparkle from an abundance of carbon dioxide – well worth trying.
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Just as we leave Sant Cristina d’Aro we stop off at the Tourist centre that
is based in a converted train station. Again, there are toilets and fresh
drinking water here as well as a myriad of options to choose from as far as
activities are concerned. We pick up several brochures that appeal to us for
activities to consider on another day before we continue on down the
Carrilet to the sea.
Castell d’Aro – 36 kms from start
The first glimpse of Castell d’Aro is that of its church that sits
overlooking the town in the medieval centre. The Carrilet takes us almost to
the centre of the village, where again there is a beautifully restored train
station that has toilets and drinking water.
Sant Pol – 40 kms from start
The approach to Sant Pol is across some pleasant open fields before climbing
gently through some wooded areas. We now get our first glimpse of the sea
and we have that feeling that the end is now very much in sight. The path
levels off before gently descending down towards the beach. We navigate our
way across a street or two before seeing the Mediterranean right in front of
us.
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Sant Pol is a protected bay with a long sweep of sandy beach to stroll along
some other time. We change into our bathers and have a great laugh as we
dive into the refreshing waters of the sea and pose for a group photo. What
a great way to finish off a super ride that has passed through such a
variety of scenery.
The Bike:
Our bike for the tour is the Orbea Ravel with front
suspension and suspension seat post. It is your perfect partner for riding
the Carrilet as well as for the fantastic cycle touring routes that you will
follow on this unforgettable tour.
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