NEWS!! Email request our latest GARMIN GPX Files of some great climbs in Montseny and around Girona - info@cancapella.com
The Montseny Park is a mecca for road and mountain bikers. The mountain tracks are fantastic for off-road with many national events held there. Huge climbs, descents to deep, lush waterfall valleys, great views and wonderful food stops at village restaurants. The road routes are equally spectacular and challemnging - Montseny hosts a leg of the Tour de Catalonia which goes through Viladrau.
The area is popular as a base for training in Montseny and the Girona / Costa Brava region. Lance Armstrong used to live in Girona and train in this area and many serious riders still do - take a look at these YouTube videos to get a flavour of the area:
Top of the Mountain off-road trail
Tom Danielson Training in Montseny 1
Tom Danielson Training in Montseny 2
At the end of last summer (2010) we hosted a group of Tri-Athletes from Capital Escapes - here's their write-up of their stay at Can Capella and the rides they enjoyed in Montseny - the video is a MUST WATCH!
Capital Escapes Tri-Athlete Group at CanCapella
We are in touch with Carlo, the Viladrau Cycle Club President and some other keen local riders, and will put some of their recommended road routes on this page, shortly - so keep watch. In the meantime, here's a link to a map anotated with some of the climbs in Catalonia:
We have just had a super cycling group stay in late Sept early Oct 2011 - here's their review of their week, very kindly written by Simon:
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We were a small group of road cyclists – fairly experienced in European cycling with a few Etapes, Marmottes and a Maratona or two under our belts.
There are two
natural routes around the national park straight out of the door. Traffic free,
to an almost spooky extent, the road surfaces are simply the best I’ve ever
cycled on. Smooth, crack-free, never seen a pot hole in their lives and
obviously beautifully-maintained (or maybe just very little-used) they were a
complete joy to ride on. The very few drivers we met were ridiculously
respectful and friendly.
The climbs around the Montseny National Park are that wonderful 5-6% gradient which lets the rider who’s not a natural climber find a nirvana of rhythm denied by the steeper stuff. The park’s locally famous for the flora and fauna and for the quality of its air. On the climb that goes up from Campins, as you reach the top you understand the whole quality of air thing. It’s densely wooded in a tree cathedral style towards the top and the air feels drinkable in its coolness and pureness. The road crosses a couple of high level viaducts and fabulous views open out. A really, really lovely climb. Descents are quick and exciting – the flawless road surfaces and almost total absence of traffic urge you to push on a bit and cars are so infrequent you have to remind yourself every so often you’re not on closed roads
We also headed out – still on small, traffic-free roads, towards the hills behind Girona. It’s easier to get to than it looks on the map and the descent into Angles from Sant Hilari, through a rocky wooded gorge, is euphoric. If it doesn’t put a big smile on your face you shouldn’t be cycling. We found a couple of steeper climbs – one of 10-12% for 5 k near Joanita/Bas area was a serious pull. Some excellent fun was had cruising around the volcanic peaks and plateaus near Cantonigros.
An average we covered 60-70 miles per day with around 2,000 metres of climbing. We were never bored and there was a lot more cycling that could have been done.
The house itself in
Viladrau is little short of spectacular. It is enormous and has been
refurbished to a very high spec, inside and out. Kitchen, bathroom and shower
facilities are first class. There’s loads of secure garage room for bikes and
plenty of flat areas outside for fettling. If you’re lucky enough to get the
wonderfully hospitable Lloyd preparing your breakfast you’re set up for the
day. Great porridge, fresh fruit, toast and the works all on tap. Simon S.
The road to Santa Fe, in Montseny Natural Park