Banyoles is a quiet town, with a few possible places to stay ranging from typical athletes accommodation to 3-4* hotels. Accommodation can be found adjacent to the lake or within easy walking distance of the training facilities.

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One of the reasons we like Banyoles is the easy access to the old part of town, with its square, local market and tapas bars. When Barcelona play at home, the bars are full of supporters of all ages. Girona is a 30’ bus ride away.

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The lake is 2,100 metre long, has a maximum width of 750m and depth of 64m.

The 2,000 metre course is buoyed with 500m markers. There is a pathway around the lake but this can not be used for effective coaching

The Sports Centre manages the site and restricts the number of visiting teams. This allows good and safe usage of the lake for those training.

Even during the winter, the lake is usually calm, although watch out for the winds that come off the mountains. These can make the lake extremely rough, very quickly but then it calms with equal speed.

The water comes down from the mountains so whilst it looks clear, the temperature is on the cold side. 

Usually a maximum of 2 launches are made available for each visiting club. However, the centre is reasonable and will hire a third if necessary, subject to availability.

The launches are well maintained by the Centre staff. If there is a problem, the staff are extremely helpful.

OPEN WATER SWIMMING

The lake is 2,100 metre long, has a maximum width of 750m and depth of 64m.

The 2,000 metre course is buoyed with 500m markers. There is a pathway around the lake but this can not be used for effective coaching

The Sports Centre manages the site and restricts the number of visiting teams. This allows good and safe usage of the lake for those training.

Even during the winter, the lake is usually calm, although watch out for the winds that come off the mountains. These can make the lake extremely rough, very quickly but then it calms with equal speed.The water comes down from the mountains so whilst it looks clear, the temperature is on the cold side.

Usually a maximum of 2 launches are made available for each visiting club. However, the centre is reasonable and will hire a third if necessary, subject to availability.

The launches are well maintained by the Centre staff. If there is a problem, the staff are extremely helpful. 

INDOOR

The indoor swimming pool is well maintained but very popular at weekends.  2 lanes can be made available. If you require a 50 metre pool, see our review of the facilities in Girona

For years this area has been used by a number of the professional cyclists who also live close to Banyoles and near-by Girona. Some of the mountains overlooking the lake form part of their regular training rides in preparation for the Tours.

The roads around Banyoles are very good. The traffic is light, the tarmac reasonably new without pot holes. Being very close to Girona, home to many professional cyclists, all the surrounding areas offer good cycling and some with stories attached. The climb to the Mare de Deu del Mon (Virgin of the Sun), which can be seen across the lake, was used by US Postal for their training climbs.

The following offer suggested routes

Tackling the Rocacorba, the highest mountain in the Girona province at 922m high with 15 degree ramps in places or alternative routes

The Banyoles cycling team have made some videos 

For possible bike hire

For bike hire and suggested cycle routes, both Road and MTB

If you’re after a short run, then a run around the lake is 3.8 miles. For the majority, this run is flat.

If you begin to run out of town, you will encounter uphill gradients. Once you hit the trails, some shade can be found but expect uneven ground.

Elsewhere there are some gorgeous off road trails, one includes a 10km trail that goes by two volcanoes. The old pack horse trails have been preserved so people can enjoy these routes.

Possible running routes

The weights gym is in the basement of the sports centre, has loose weights and can accommodate probably a maximum of 12 athletes.

There is a much larger room on the second floor, adjacent to the swimming pool, with some static bikes, cross trainers and multi gym equipment but access to this is restricted.

There are a approximately 20 ergos in the boat house which can be used with prior agreement

Enhance your camp with more intensive coaching. We can put you in contact with accredited rowing coaches, experienced in coaching at all levels from beginners through top domestic and up to international and Olympic standard, who will work with your own coaches to further extend the gains you make on your camp.