R01 - Girona to Sant Julia de Loria
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RouteXpert Arno van Lochem - Advanced RX
Last edit: 27-07-2021
Route Summary Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is known as a beautiful city. But the hinterland of Catalonia is also to die for. And that's where this route starts: Close to Girona airport.
You set course through the 'Natural Park of the Volcanic Area of the Garrotxa' and the 'Regional Natural Park of the Catalan Pyrenees' towards Andora. The route ends there, in Sant Julià de Lòria at the Hotel Coma Bella.
This route is part of a tour through Catalonia, Andorra and the Pyrenees. This tour is divided into seven routes, of which this is the first part.
The route is for the more advanced motorcyclist. Especially the last part requires good engine management given the (tight!) Hairpin bends.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
8h 26m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
269.13 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review Given the beautiful environment in which the roads are really formidable and provide a lot of driving pleasure, I rate this route with 5 stars.
If you do not have access to your own motorcycle, you can rent a motorcycle. A motorcycle rental company is included in the links below, but there are several rental companies in the area where you can rent a motorcycle.
The route starts just below Girona, at Hotel Eden Park. A very suitable hotel to plan the first night after arrival at Girona airport, in order to get rid of any possible jet lag.
After 5 kilometers there is an opportunity to fill the tank if necessary. There are plenty of petrol stations along the way, but if possible it is better to wait until you have arrived in Andorra before refueling, given the price for a liter there.
The first part of the route you meander nice and quiet through the Spanish landscape. What is striking is the wonderful green environment. After a few kilometers, turn left onto Gi-540. This one starts with some straights, but soon it turns into the better cornering. This will remain the case for the rest of the route, except for a few kilometers. What a punishment!
You will soon reach the Natural Park of the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone. With 40 dead volcanoes and more than 20 basalt lava flows, this protected natural area is the most important exponent of a volcanic landscape in the Iberian Peninsula. The nature park covers 15,000 hectares with lush vegetation in which oak, holm oak and beech forests are strongly represented.
A very beautiful area. It is possible to visit a higher point from where you have a beautiful view over this natural park. At RP7 you then have to turn right and follow the road to the end. From there it is a short 150 meters on foot to enjoy the view.
Once back on the route, you happily meander along the wonderful roads that feature numerous bends further to the northwest. Soon you will reach the first cols with a height above 1000 meters. You notice that you are now driving in the Pyrenees. Although still in the middle of the green, you climb higher and higher and a straight piece of asphalt longer than 200 meters is becoming a rarity. Amazing, right?
After conquering a few more steps, you will arrive at la Pobla de Lillet via the lovely Gi-402. In this town you will find the Cement Train. The train covers a distance of 3.5 kilometers to the Artigas gardens and the cement museum.
The train was built by the General Society of Asphalt and Portland "Asland" to transport cement from the Clot del Moro plant. The tour started in the same factory and went to Guardiola Berguedà where it was connected to the Catalan railways and where cement and other goods were transferred. In the early years the railway only transported cement and coal, but from 1914 onwards passengers were also taken. The train covered a distance of 11 kilometers, calling at five stations. The last regular voyage was on October 14, 1963, until this line was restored in 2005. Currently you can be a part of this history by using this train. In the midst of a beautiful landscape where you can occasionally see the banks of the river Llobregat, you will experience a journey of approximately 20 minutes. The train is powered by a two-car diesel locomotive with a total capacity of 50 people.
The Artigas gardens were designed by Antoni Gaudí in the early twentieth century. The garden was a symbol of gratitude on behalf of the Artigas family: they offered Gaudí their home so that he could stay there while he worked on the construction of Villa Catllaràs as housing for workers and engineers, who extracted coal for the Asland cement factory.
The Cement Museum is located in the old cement factory, which was open from 1904 to 1975. Today, the remains are still visible as a symbol of one of the most incredible factories during the Catalan industrialization.
The cement museum allows you to travel back in time to discover the history of the factory and its surroundings. Today it offers a wide variety of leisure and cultural performances: permanent and traveling exhibitions, guided tours, theater visits and workshops.
The route winds further north, with the passes already reaching heights of almost 2000 meters. Shortly after Puigcerdà you will cross the French border. You drive here in the Regional Natural Park of the Catalan Pyrenees.
This nature park groups three areas on an area of 138,000 hectares and an altitude between 300 and 3,000 meters. The vast plains, the special flora and a record number of hours of sunshine, as well as the presence of the famous Canigou mountain range and the famous valley of Eyne will certainly appeal to lovers of nature and outdoor activities!
After driving about 30 kilometers through France you will reach the border with Andorra. Don't be surprised if rows of cars stop here. Lots of people who come to refuel. But apparently they think there is only one gas station, they are all in front of the first in line. Carefully drive past it and look for the next gas station. There are plenty!
The roads in Andorra are also of good quality: soon asphalt! Delicious steering on these roads. The first introduction to Andorra is a very good one! It is a pity that it is small, it is not called a dwarf state for nothing.
Andorra has an area of 468 km². The principality has 120.3 kilometers of land borders: 56.6 kilometers with France and 63.7 kilometers with Spain. The capital Andorra la Vella is also the largest city in the country with about 22,500 inhabitants. This is followed by Escaldes-Engordany (14,002 inhabitants), Sant Julià de Lòria (7,652) and Encamp (7,473).
Shortly before Canillo you will pass the National Automobile Museum of Andorra. A museum at the bottom of a parking garage with some interesting items. The 1885 Pinette steam engine is the oldest piece in the museum. Considered one of the largest in Southern Europe, the collection includes approximately eighty vehicles, sixty motorcycles and one hundred bicycles. This collection is supplemented by a series of objects related to the automotive world: miniatures, posters, advertisements, accessories, etc. Nice to take a walk in between!
In the aforementioned town of Sant Julià de Lòria you will arrive at the hotel where this route ends: Hotel Coma Bella. A wonderfully quiet hotel with beautiful views. The last bit of asphalt to the hotel is delicious again, just call it dessert!
Have fun driving this route!
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Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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Catalonia
About this region
Catalonia (; Catalan: Catalunya [kətəˈluɲə, kataˈluɲa]; Aranese Occitan: Catalonha [kataˈluɲa]; Spanish: Cataluña [kataˈluɲa]) is an autonomous community in the northeastern corner of Spain, designated as a nationality by its Statute of Autonomy.Catalonia consists of four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. The capital and largest city, Barcelona is the second-most populated municipality in Spain and the fifth-most populous urban area in the European Union. It comprises most of the former Principality of Catalonia (with the remainder Roussillon now part of France's Pyrénées-Orientales). It is bordered by France (Occitanie) and Andorra to the north, the Mediterranean Sea to the east, and the Spanish autonomous communities of Aragon to the west and Valencia to the south. The official languages are Catalan, Spanish, and the Aranese dialect of Occitan.In the late 8th century, various counties across the eastern Pyrenees were established by the Frankish kingdom as a defensive barrier against Muslim invasions. In the 10th century the County of Barcelona became progressively independent. In 1137, Barcelona and the Kingdom of Aragon were united by marriage under the Crown of Aragon. Within the Crown, the Catalan counties adopted a common polity, the Principality of Catalonia, developing its own institutional system, such as Courts, Generalitat and constitutions, becoming the base for the Crown's Mediterranean trade and expansionism. In the later Middle Ages, Catalan literature flourished. In 1469, the king of Aragon and the queen of Castile were married and ruled their realms together, retaining all of their distinct institutions and legislation.
During the Franco-Spanish War (1635–1659), Catalonia revolted (1640–1652) against a large and burdensome presence of the royal army, being briefly proclaimed a republic under French protection, until it was largely reconquered by the Spanish army. By the Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659), the northern parts of Catalonia, mostly the Roussillon, were ceded to France. During the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), the Crown of Aragon sided against the Bourbon Philip V of Spain; following Catalan defeat on 11 September 1714, Philip V imposed a unifying administration across Spain, enacting the Nueva Planta decrees which, like in the other realms of the Crown of Aragon, suppressed the Catalan institutions and rights. This led to the eclipse of Catalan as a language of government and literature, replaced by Spanish. Throughout the 18th century, Catalonia experienced economic growth.
In the 19th century, Catalonia was severely affected by the Napoleonic and Carlist Wars. In the second third of the century, it experienced industrialisation. As wealth from the industrial expansion grew, it saw a cultural renaissance coupled with incipient nationalism while several workers movements appeared. With the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic (1931–1939), the Generalitat was restored as a Catalan autonomous government. After the Spanish Civil War, the Francoist dictatorship enacted repressive measures, abolishing Catalan self-government and banning the official use of the Catalan language. After a period of autarky, from the late 1950s through to the 1970s Catalonia saw rapid economic growth, drawing many workers from across Spain, making Barcelona one of Europe's largest industrial metropolitan areas and turning Catalonia into a major tourist destination. During the Spanish transition to democracy (1975–1982), Catalonia regained self-government and is now one of the most economically dynamic communities of Spain.
Since the 2010s there has been growing support for Catalan independence. On 27 October 2017, the Catalan Parliament unilaterally declared independence following a disputed referendum. The Spanish Senate voted in favour of enforcing direct rule by removing the Catalan government and calling a snap regional election. The Spanish Supreme Court imprisoned seven former ministers of the Catalan government on charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds, while several others—including then-President Carles Puigdemont—fled to other European countries.
Read more on Wikipedia
During the Franco-Spanish War (1635–1659), Catalonia revolted (1640–1652) against a large and burdensome presence of the royal army, being briefly proclaimed a republic under French protection, until it was largely reconquered by the Spanish army. By the Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659), the northern parts of Catalonia, mostly the Roussillon, were ceded to France. During the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), the Crown of Aragon sided against the Bourbon Philip V of Spain; following Catalan defeat on 11 September 1714, Philip V imposed a unifying administration across Spain, enacting the Nueva Planta decrees which, like in the other realms of the Crown of Aragon, suppressed the Catalan institutions and rights. This led to the eclipse of Catalan as a language of government and literature, replaced by Spanish. Throughout the 18th century, Catalonia experienced economic growth.
In the 19th century, Catalonia was severely affected by the Napoleonic and Carlist Wars. In the second third of the century, it experienced industrialisation. As wealth from the industrial expansion grew, it saw a cultural renaissance coupled with incipient nationalism while several workers movements appeared. With the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic (1931–1939), the Generalitat was restored as a Catalan autonomous government. After the Spanish Civil War, the Francoist dictatorship enacted repressive measures, abolishing Catalan self-government and banning the official use of the Catalan language. After a period of autarky, from the late 1950s through to the 1970s Catalonia saw rapid economic growth, drawing many workers from across Spain, making Barcelona one of Europe's largest industrial metropolitan areas and turning Catalonia into a major tourist destination. During the Spanish transition to democracy (1975–1982), Catalonia regained self-government and is now one of the most economically dynamic communities of Spain.
Since the 2010s there has been growing support for Catalan independence. On 27 October 2017, the Catalan Parliament unilaterally declared independence following a disputed referendum. The Spanish Senate voted in favour of enforcing direct rule by removing the Catalan government and calling a snap regional election. The Spanish Supreme Court imprisoned seven former ministers of the Catalan government on charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds, while several others—including then-President Carles Puigdemont—fled to other European countries.
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Route Collections in this region 7 day roundtrip from Girona to Catalonia Andorra and the Pyrenees
The Pyrenees stretch for more than 450 kilometers from the Bay of Biscay in the west to the Cap de Creus on the Mediterranean. The mountain range, with peaks of more than 3000 meters, forms a natural barrier that cuts off the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of Europe. The main ridge of the mountain range also largely forms the state border between France and Spain, while the microstate Andorra lies between these two countries.
Bordering the Pyrenees is Catalonia, the hinterland of Barcelona. No wonder many new models of motorcycles are introduced to the press in Catalonia. There are many great ways to test the new models there. An additional advantage is that it is very quiet! You would almost say 'too quiet' because there is a danger that at some point you will use the entire width of the road, under the guise of 'you won't see oncoming traffic here'.... But let's keep it safe and stay on the right side of the center line.
These seven routes of this collection pass through these beautiful areas. Each and every one of these routes where especially the sides of the tires have a hard time. Whether on the gentle slopes in Catalonia or on the balcony roads in the Gorges in the French Pyrenees, make sure they're excited, because you can bet it's going to be exciting!
A few sights are discussed in the review for each route. These often tell something about the history of the area in which you drive. Fun facts, quite educational. There are also places where you can refuel and where you can drink coffee and/or have lunch. You are completely free to visit these places, you can of course also determine your own points of interest.
But the main thing you probably traveled to this area for is simply driving. And as mentioned above, you are in a true motorcycle paradise where the steering is fantastic!
Each route ends at a hotel. It is of course not an obligation to use these hotels, you can always find another place to stay in the area, that decision is up to you. My experience, however, is that they are all simple but good hotels for a very reasonable price. They are known and can be booked at booking.com.
The routes of these collections:
R01 - Girona to Sant Julia de Loria, 269km
R02 - Sant Julia de Loria to Pierrefitte Nestalas, 290km
R03 - Pierrefitte Nestalas to Barbastro, 291km
R04 - Barbastro to Puig Reig, 266km
R05 - Puig Reig to Figueres, 268km
R06 - Figueres to Quillan, 243km
R07 - Quillan to Gironam, 286km
Have fun driving these routes!
Bordering the Pyrenees is Catalonia, the hinterland of Barcelona. No wonder many new models of motorcycles are introduced to the press in Catalonia. There are many great ways to test the new models there. An additional advantage is that it is very quiet! You would almost say 'too quiet' because there is a danger that at some point you will use the entire width of the road, under the guise of 'you won't see oncoming traffic here'.... But let's keep it safe and stay on the right side of the center line.
These seven routes of this collection pass through these beautiful areas. Each and every one of these routes where especially the sides of the tires have a hard time. Whether on the gentle slopes in Catalonia or on the balcony roads in the Gorges in the French Pyrenees, make sure they're excited, because you can bet it's going to be exciting!
A few sights are discussed in the review for each route. These often tell something about the history of the area in which you drive. Fun facts, quite educational. There are also places where you can refuel and where you can drink coffee and/or have lunch. You are completely free to visit these places, you can of course also determine your own points of interest.
But the main thing you probably traveled to this area for is simply driving. And as mentioned above, you are in a true motorcycle paradise where the steering is fantastic!
Each route ends at a hotel. It is of course not an obligation to use these hotels, you can always find another place to stay in the area, that decision is up to you. My experience, however, is that they are all simple but good hotels for a very reasonable price. They are known and can be booked at booking.com.
The routes of these collections:
R01 - Girona to Sant Julia de Loria, 269km
R02 - Sant Julia de Loria to Pierrefitte Nestalas, 290km
R03 - Pierrefitte Nestalas to Barbastro, 291km
R04 - Barbastro to Puig Reig, 266km
R05 - Puig Reig to Figueres, 268km
R06 - Figueres to Quillan, 243km
R07 - Quillan to Gironam, 286km
Have fun driving these routes!
View Route Collection
Ten Day Roadtrip from Spain to Portugal
This route collection describes a 10-day Road trip in the north of Spain and Portugal, a true paradise for motorcycling.
You drive over beautiful mountain ridges and through beautiful valleys. Along the way you drive through beautiful villages and countless nature reserves, great passes with countless curves, tunnels cut out of the mountains and azure blue reservoirs. The roads are fair to good, sometimes unpaved.
What you get to see along the way;
Spanish Pyrenees
Parc Naturel del Cadi-Moixero
Serra del Cadí
Serra de Moixeró
Pedraforca
Serra del Monsec
Collada de Clarà
Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido
Collados del Asón Natural Park.
Parque natural Saja-Besaya
Parque natural de Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente Cobre
Parque natural de la Montana de Riano y Mampodre
Picos de Europa
El Parque regional Montaña de Riaño y Mampodre
El Parque natural de Redes
The Sierra de la Culebra
Parque natural Montesinho
Along the routes there are more than enough nice places to stop for a short or longer period, these are described in the review and with a waypoint and POI included in the routes.
Have fun reading and planning your next motorcycle vacation.
If you have ridden these routes I would like to hear your feedback.
You drive over beautiful mountain ridges and through beautiful valleys. Along the way you drive through beautiful villages and countless nature reserves, great passes with countless curves, tunnels cut out of the mountains and azure blue reservoirs. The roads are fair to good, sometimes unpaved.
What you get to see along the way;
Spanish Pyrenees
Parc Naturel del Cadi-Moixero
Serra del Cadí
Serra de Moixeró
Pedraforca
Serra del Monsec
Collada de Clarà
Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido
Collados del Asón Natural Park.
Parque natural Saja-Besaya
Parque natural de Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente Cobre
Parque natural de la Montana de Riano y Mampodre
Picos de Europa
El Parque regional Montaña de Riaño y Mampodre
El Parque natural de Redes
The Sierra de la Culebra
Parque natural Montesinho
Along the routes there are more than enough nice places to stop for a short or longer period, these are described in the review and with a waypoint and POI included in the routes.
Have fun reading and planning your next motorcycle vacation.
If you have ridden these routes I would like to hear your feedback.
View Route Collection