Grand Tour of Catalonia Gravel - Stage 38

From Girona to the Ter—Through Riparian Forests and Fields

We leave Girona on wide, well-paved paths that rise gently and run parallel to the Ter River. The trail winds through farmland and riparian forests of alders, poplars, ash trees, and willows—tree species that thrive on the river’s constant moisture. Light filters through the leaves, and the murmur of the water accompanies us. We pass through Sant Gregori and Bonmatí, where the landscape becomes more rural and the terrain begins to undulate slightly.

On the Carrilet I Greenway to La Garrotxa

Past Bonmatí, we come to the Via Verda del Carrilet I, which follows the old railway line between Girona and Olot. This well-signposted, compact nature trail winds through a charming landscape, over bridges and through small tunnels that serve as reminders of the route’s railway past. As we gain elevation, the vegetation becomes more lush and the greenery more intense. We follow the Brugent River and pass through villages such as Sant Feliu de Pallerols and Les Planes d’Hostoles.

Entry into the Vall d’en Bas and end of the stage

The final section takes us toward La Garrotxa, climbing gently to Coll d’en Bas (589 m), the highest point of the route. From there, the trail descends slightly into the Vall d’en Bas—one of the region’s most fertile and beautiful agricultural landscapes. Green fields, scattered masías, forests, and charming villages, along with the silhouettes of over forty volcanoes, herald our arrival in Sant Esteve d’en Bas—the end of the stage and the gateway to the volcanic landscape of La Garrotxa.