RAIDS AL VENT is the Alt Empordà MTB tour, that is, the tour on which you can see “EVERYTHING IN VERY LITTLE”:

• EVERYTHING: (sea, mountain, plains, sandy beaches, rocky coves, damp forests, bushy hills, vineyards, olive groves, orchards, wheat fields, etc.)

• IN VERY LITTLE - Space: as the Alt Empordà region consists of just 100 sq. km. and the trail is 270 km. in length; - Time: as in just, 3, 4 or 5 days, depending on what aspects of the landscape you want to enjoy, you will have completed the tour.

The Alt Empordà is the only region in Catalonia with three protected areas ( the Albera , Cap de Creus and Aiguamolls de L’Empordà Nature Reserves) and it is also the most important region in Catalonia (and one of the most important in Europe) in terms of megalithic monuments, which can be found in very few places in the geography of southern Europe, making it uniquely attractive.

The meeting point is the cycle shop Sappysport , the head office of the companiesEasybikes and Raids al Vent,  located at Pau Casals, núm. 2 , which is where the route book, maps and energy bars are given out.

The route starts off towards the East, and after a short while enters the area known as ‘Las Salines Bassegoda’ (an area included in the Areas of Natural Interest Plan) in a continuous succession of ascents and descents, until it reaches the village of Albanyà after about 45 km.

In Albanyà, weather permitting, a dip in the river is not to be missed. The evening meal will have to be prepared in the place where we are staying the night, as there are no other options.

The second stage leaves from Albanyà and takes us up to ‘Puig de Bassegoda’ at 1373 m. and the Hostal de la Muga, then into France for a few kilometres along the path used by the Maquis and smugglers after the Spanish Civil War. Later we come back into the Empordà in the direction of Maçanet de Cabrenys, where we will spend the night.

In Maçanet de Cabrenys, besides another possible swim in the river, do not mistaking a walk around the village, where we will find a variety of restaurants where we can have dinner.

The third stage is the longest on the tour, as it goes up to ‘Las Salines’ at 1350 m and arrives in Llançà after 76 Km. of continuous ascents and descents. During this stage we leave ‘Las Salines Bassegoda’ and enter ‘La Albera’ district (which has applied to become a World Heritage Site). In the municipality of Cantallops we will find the magnificent medieval Requesens Castle

In Llançà, we can exchange a swim in the river for a dip in the sea. After which we cannot miss a visit to the fish auction in ‘la lonja’ (fish auction hall). Here there are also plenty of places where we can have dinner.

The fourth stage. Once we reach Llança we will have left behind ‘La Albera’ and will be entering Cap de Creus Nature Reserve. Following the coastline, we will pass through well-known Costa Brava localities such as Port de la Selva and Cadaqués until we reach Roses (passing by ‘Cala Montjoi’ cove and ‘El Bulli’ restaurant).
In Roses it is a must to take a walk along the seafront to the seashore, after which we can have a relaxing session in a spa centre, before enjoying a good fish dinner in any of the recommended restaurants. As it is the last night, we can allow ourselves the luxury of having a few drinks in the bars or pubs.

The fifth and final stage, and taking into account the added extras of the previous night, has been prepared in such a way that it is quite easy going and, although relatively long, it is totally flat.
This last stretch is really beautiful, as it crosses ‘Los Aiguamolls de l’Empordà’, another essential place to visit and where it is likely that part of the route will have to be completed on foot, due to park regulations.

RAIDS AL VENT will ensure that the accommodation sites have a bike cleaning service and a place where the bikes can be left overnight.

It will also see to it that the dinners and picnics provided are suitable for sports men and women. In the towns/villages included in the last leg of the tour, cyclists may be able to choose between different types of accommodation (campsite, bed and breakfast, hostel or hotel), accessible to all budgets.

There will also be an on-route technical assistance service, so that, in the event of a breakdown, the bike can easily be repaired in transit, or if necessary, can be replaced with another rented, high-performance bike.

At the RAIDS AL VENT centre there will be all kinds of souvenirs related to the sport, personalized with the tour’s logo (t-shirts, windbreaks, caps, buff headwear, water-bottles, etc.).

We also offer a luggage transfer service and a service for the transport of persons.

RAIDS AL VENT took its inspiration for this concept from similar activities available elsewhere in Europe, which can only operate for a few months per year for climatic reasons.

It is hoped that our tour will be able to operate for at least 10 months per year. The Alt Empordà is a very well-known region throughout the world, mainly because it forms part of the wildest section of the Costa Brava with places like Cadaquès, Cap de Creus, and Montjoï cove in Roses, a source of inspiration for geniuses such as

Having said this, apart from showing you all that has previously been mentioned, Raids al Vent would like to introduce you to the rest of our spectacular region, which is yet to be discovered even by the natives of the area themselves.