Humbert Campins, photographer Lisa Paarvio & friends travel through rural Catalonia on gravel bikes; a route that takes them north of the city of Girona, into the breathtakingly beautiful Collsacabra mountains, whilst cooking traditional Catalan and Spanish cuisine.

Day 1: Setting off from Girona

A city known for its rich history and vibrant culture; Girona is the starting point of the journey. We’re all experienced gravel bike riders and have packed our bikes with the perfect combination of gear we need for the trip ahead, and ingredients and food to keep us going throughout!   

After leaving Girona, we join the old railway line – the Carrilet – which connects the city with neighbouring Olot. Passing through the once volcanic region of La Garrotxa, the railway line runs over 50km in length and is now one of the most popular cycling routes in this region of Spain. As the gravel bikes eat up the kilometres, the landscape changes from fertile plains of the Gironès to the mountainous foothills of the Selva region. Despite this changing landscape, the road is smooth and ideal for the bikes.

In stark comparison to the hustle and bustle of Girona, the atmosphere along the route is almost serene, as we pass through small villages, crop fields and forests, one after another.After several hours of pedalling through the heart of the region of La Selva, the Susqueda Reservoir comes into view, signalling the start of an ascent towards the charming medieval village of Rupit, nestled in the Collsacabra mountains. The path gets steeper and more technical, and at this point we’re glad to have bikes built for this terrain, as well as the impressive views around us.Rupit rewards us with its beautiful stone houses, cobbled streets and an atmosphere that seems almost frozen in time. It’s the perfect place for a well-deserved break, and gives us time to rest, recharge and explore the old town, whilst sampling some of the local produce.

From Rupit, we continue past the Salt de Sallent waterfall, where water falls over 100 metres into the valley below. From here, the view is breath-taking, with a horizon dominated by mountains and seemingly endless lush green valleys.

It feels like the perfect place to make camp! We welcome the rest and pitch our tents with the perfect view over the clifftops.

As the sun sets, bathing the surrounding cliffs in golden and orange tones, we’re lulled to sleep by the sound of the waterfall in the distance.

Day 2: Alta Garrotxa

We start the 2^nd day of our adventure by experiencing the Salt de Sallent waterfall up close, before getting ready for another day of biking in the spectacular Catalan surroundings. We’re heading towards La Garrotxa, a region known for its wild beauty and rocky, volcanic landscape.The forest paths become more mountainous, as we move further from civilisation into the remote and less-travelled area of Alta Garrotxa. Once again, we’re glad of the gravel bikes as the terrain becomes rockier and more technical still, with climbs and descents that challenge our skills. As we continue through the area, we’re rewarded again with panoramic views of the mountains that stretch as far as the eye can see.Our second camping point is located at the top of Alta Garrotxa. Here, we pitch our tents in a clearing surrounded by nature, one that we feel truly privileged to experience.

Day 3: Journey home

The third day marks the return to Girona, but not before enjoying the last stages in the Alta Garrotxa. The journey is far gentler than on day one, and our route takes us along quiet wooded paths and passed oak tree groves. Then, as we approach the Carrilet, the terrain softens and the speed increases.

As we approach the city, we reminisce about the adventure of the previous days, as the landscape changes back to the green fields of the Girona plain. The return to civilisation gives us an appreciation for the nature and beauty of rural Catalonia, where we’ve experienced some of the most impressive and diverse landscapes one is likely to find in the region. Our bodies are certainly tired, but we feel thoroughly enriched by the experience. Girona welcomes us home with its warm and friendly atmosphere, and once again, we’re glad for the rest…until the next adventure that is!!

Bikepacking Recipes

Seafood Paella RecipeIngredients:

• 1 cup of Paella rice
• 1 veggie stock cube
• salt
• pepper
• 1 Garlic clove
• 1 can mini octopus
• 1 can mussels
• 1 can red peppers in olive oil
• 1 can tomato paste

Instructions:

1. Drain the mussels, octopus and peppers. Keep a small amount of the oil from the peppers to fry the garlic. Put all aside. 

2. Dice the garlic clove into small pieces.3. Add a little bit of the oil from the peppers to the pot. Add the garlic and fry until soften.

4. Heat water in a pot over the stove until it boils. Add the rice, veggie stock and tomato paste to the boiling water and cook on medium heat until the rice is cooked ready. Stir constantly to avoid that the rice burns to the pot. 5. Cut the canned pepper into pieces.

6. Add the Octopus, mussels and sliced peppers to the rice. 

7. Mix evenly and add salt and pepper as preferred.

Serve in bowls or on plates. Bon Appetit!

Avocado Chocolate MousseIngredients:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 300ml orange juice
• two bars of dark chocolate

Instructions:

1. Heat up the orange juice in a pot over the campaign stove. 

2. Keep the orange juice boiling on low heat and break the chocolate into pieces. Add them little by little to the boiling orange juice. Stir constantly until completely melted. 

3. In the meantime, spoon out the avocado and smash it with a fork until smooth.

4. When the chocolate is completely melted, turn off the heat, set the pot aside and add the smashed avocado. 

5. Mix until a smooth consistency is reached. 

Serve in cups. 

Recipes provided by Kieran Creevy.

Photographs by Lisa Paarvio.

Related Posts:

• Why This is the Ultimate Bikepacking Stove & Cook Kit
• Camp Breakfast in Scotland: Kedgeree and Cranachan Recipes
• DIY Dehydrated Backpacking Meals