Figueres is an ideal starting point for cycling in the Alt Empordà. The network of secondary roads and greenways makes for spectacular rides with almost no traffic, through landscapes ranging from the flat plains to the sea, from the Empordà wetlands to the bare peaks of Cap de Creus.
From Ca La Fustereta —right in the city centre— you can be pedalling within minutes. Downstairs you'll have a locked private garage for your bikes, tools for any repair, and first-hand advice from hosts who know every route in the area. Below are the five routes we recommend, from easiest to most challenging.
Perfect for families, casual riders or anyone who prefers enjoying the scenery without too much effort. The old narrow-gauge railway line between Figueres and Olot has been converted into a paved greenway, with a total elevation gain of just 80 metres. The path runs through maize fields, riverside areas and small rural villages like Banyoles and Sant Miquel de Campmajor.
The starting point is just a few minutes from Ca La Fustereta. The route is suitable for children from age 6-7 and has picnic areas along the way. If you ride Figueres to Olot you can return by bus or taxi and leave your bikes safely locked in the garage.
Elevation: 80 m · Best season: Year-round
A perfect loop to discover the most iconic villages of the comarca: Peralada with its castle and DO Empordà wine cellars, Castelló d'Empúries with the Gothic cathedral, Empuriabrava with its canals, and back via Roses with views over the bay. The terrain is mostly flat with gentle rolling hills.
We recommend riding anticlockwise so the prevailing tramontane wind is at your back on the final stretch. It's a great route for combining food and cycling: many of the villages along the way have restaurants and bars with local produce. Read our article on where to eat well in Figueres to round off the day.
Elevation: 180 m · Best season: Spring, autumn and mild winter
The quintessential coastal route of the Alt Empordà. Leaving Figueres you cross the plain to Roses along the l'Armentera road, then the route heads into the Cap de Creus massif — the easternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula. The landscape changes dramatically: bare schist rock, maritime holm oaks and the Mediterranean at its most pristine.
The climb from Roses to the Cap de Creus lighthouse gains around 300 metres over 15 km, but the descent into Cadaqués more than makes up for it. The white village of Cadaqués, with its seafront bars, is the perfect place for lunch before heading back. You can catch a bus back to Figueres if your legs have had enough.
Elevation: 420 m · Best season: April–June and September–October
A culturally unique route. It starts at the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres —you can visit it in the morning before setting off; read our tips for visiting the Dalí Museum— and ends at Dalí's house in Portlligat via Cadaqués. The route follows a constantly rolling profile through the Rodes massif.
The road to Cadaqués from Roses or Llançà is one of the most photographed on the Costa Brava: tight bends above the sea, no heavy traffic, and 180° views. Arriving at Portlligat, the cove where Dalí lived and worked for decades, is one of those moments that define a trip. We recommend booking tickets for the Casa-Museu de Portlligat in advance.
Elevation: 680 m · Best season: May–June and September
For experienced cyclists looking for a serious challenge. The route heads south from Figueres, crosses the volcanic Garrotxa and passes through the medieval village of Besalú — a protected historic site — before climbing to Olot, the comarca capital. The Besalú to Olot stretch is the toughest: winding back roads with gradients up to 8%.
The reward is arriving at the Olot plain surrounded by extinct volcanoes and beech forests. If you ride it over two days you can sleep in Olot and return the next day via the Greenways, completing a full 118 km loop of extraordinary scenic beauty.
Elevation: 1,200 m · Best season: April–June and September–October
We have everything cyclists need to head out in confidence and return well rested. The locked private garage fits all bike types, including full-suspension and e-bikes. The workshop has: full Allen key sets, torque wrenches, chain tools, a floor pump with gauge, vertical repair stands and an outdoor wash-down area with hose.
If you have a serious mechanical issue, our trusted local mechanic in Figueres can see you within 24 hours. We have an agreement with a local bike hire service for guests who want to explore the area without bringing their own bike.
Our recommendation for the first day: do the Greenways or the Empordà loop to get your legs going and learn the territory. Save the Dalí Route or Cap de Creus for day two or three, once you know where to stop for lunch.
The best base for exploring Figueres and the Alt Empordà. Central location, private garage, bike workshop and everything you need.
Check availability →