There are countless cycling holiday operators who offer incredible all-inclusive guided tours of exotic far-flung destinations. For many people, they are ideal: you get the benefit of your guide’s local knowledge and all your logistical issues are dealt with by somebody else. But (and whisper it quietly) is that really exploring a new country? Or is it more like a self-propelled theme park ride?
Imagine, instead, discovering a new environment entirely by yourself and at your own pace, albeit with the perfect route mapped out for you by local experts, keen for you to sample the full delights of their homeland.
That is what the Catalan Tourism Board has put together with its staggering Grand Tour of Catalonia Gravel: a five-section, 42-stage itinerary that uses the region’s expansive and stunning network of gravel tracks, quiet backroads and hidden trails to truly see Catalonia at its best.
“Ride through a territory that constantly changes with the light, the seasons and the rhythm of your ride. This is a route designed to be experienced slowly, where every kilometre reveals a different side of the landscape,” the Catalan Tourism Board says.
“Riding the Grand Tour of Catalonia Gravel means breathing in the morning air among vineyards, feeling the deep silence of the forests and hearing the distant sound of the sea breaking against coastal cliffs. Along the way, the route crosses surprising natural parks, wide open valleys and lesser-known mountain ranges, places where nature still sets the rules.”
Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it?
And it’s not just about the wilds and open nature. You’ll pass through local villages and enjoy small towns as you get to experience the human character of this culturally unique part of Europe. It is truly a ride open to every kind of cyclist, where everyone can find their own pace and experience Catalonia in their own way.
So let’s look in more detail at how you can do that.
Grand Tour of Catalonia Gravel Q&A
Q: What is Grand Tour of Catalonia Gravel?
A: The Grand Tour of Catalonia Gravel is a self-guided route that explores the entirety of Catalonia from north to south and from east to west. It has been created in a route format to travel through Catalonia by grave bike over a number of days, discovering its main heritage, natural, and gastronomic attractions, as well as getting to know its people, customs, and traditions.
Q: Give us some numbers – what are we talking about?
A: In total there are five routes comprising a total of 42 stages. The first four routes have eight stages each, the fifth route has 10 stages. The total mileage for the entire Grand Tour of Catalonia Gravel is 1,547 miles, which includes 144,025ft of climbing. A map of the full route can be found here.
Q: Should you attempt to ride it all in one go?
A: Of course, you can if you want to. And the entire route is circular so, after those 42 stages, you will end up back where you started. But the route planners have designed it to be both one overarching journey, and many smaller journeys. You can decide where you wish to start and how many stages you do, at your own pace and at any time of year.
Q: Is it all off-road?
A: Not entirely. Where no gravel tracks or paths existed, route planners tried to direct the itinerary along the most secondary roads possible, avoiding main roads. They also prioritised using roundabouts to join roads instead of junctions, as they are safer for cyclists. And they have tried to ensure that any road sections are downhill, as this is also less dangerous for cyclists.
Q: How has the route been designed?
A: Wherever possible, it has used existing infrastructure – such as bike lanes and pre-established routes. Tracks and roads have been prioritised where the landscape is the main point of interest, with a clear preference for natural environments over urban areas. Finally, stage starts and finishes are located in towns with at least three accommodation options, the iconic places to be visited in Catalonia such as Delta de l’Ebro, Pyrenees mountains, Montserrat, etc…
Q: Do I need to use a dedicated off-road bike?
A: Not at all. There are short stretches of bike lane, greenway and occasional singletrack, but the route planners have largely prioritised gravel tracks in the best condition, so it can be done with almost any bike.
The stages
Section 1: Barcelona to Tarragona – 299 miles / 26,925ft of climbing
Starting in the vibrant Mediterranean city of Barcelona, although you can start at any stage of the itinerary, the route heads north out of the bustling centre and, within just a few miles, the urban landscape becomes something altogether more natural. The route rises gradually towards Collserola and then climbs progressively to Sant Llorenç del Munt. With its stunning mountains, Montserrat acts as the gateway to the Penedès, where riders will find themselves surrounded by luscious vineyards. The route then returns towards the sea and the Costa Daurada before combining an enticing mixture of gentle mountains and Mediterranean atmospherics as you approach Tarragona, with its magnificent roman ruins UNESCO World Heritage.
Section 2: Tarragona to Lleida – 286 miles / 18,900ft of climbing
With no desire to leave the sea behind just yet, the route leaves Tarragona and continues along the Mediterranean coast towards the flat and expansive Ebre Delta. From here, riders head further inland and climb towards the Natural Park of Els Ports with its cornucopia of rugged landscapes, woodlands and wide panoramic views. There’s a glorious blast along the Val de Zafán greenway before vineyards and mountains appear at the Priorat. Riders will find themselves among Cistercian monasteries before passing through orchards and cereal fields to Lleida.
Section 3: Lleida to la Seu d’Urgell – 305 miles / 37,250ft of climbing
The journey away from Lleida features largely flat scenery before it joins the banks of the Segre River and the Ruta dels Llacs. Here, the terrain changes as the route enters the Montsec, with panoramic climbs and reservoirs nestling between the peaks. But such delights are only the beginning as the route reaches the slopes of the Pyrenees. With its demanding mountain passes, deep valleys and summits rising to 10,000ft, for road cycling fans, it’s a challenge that evokes the drama of the Vuelta a España. The Val d’Aran, the Àneu valleys and the Alt Pirineu Natural Park follow with more mountainous moments, before the rider’s efforts are rewarded with awe-inspiring views from the Pic de l’Orri.
Section 4: la Seu d’Urgell to Figueres – 251 miles / 26,775ft of climbing
The challenge of section 3 continues in section 4 as riders face the rugged landscapes of the Cadí and the Pedraforca, with their long climbs and mountainous passes stretching above 6,000ft. The route heads north-east across the Cerdanya, one of the widest and brightest valleys in the Pyrenees. But it’s not just about the natural terrain: between the forested valleys, volcanic landscapes and basalt cliffs, riders will also encounter medieval villages where time seems to have stood still. With the route flowing naturally towards Banyoles, the human element of this section becomes ever more present with farmhouses and Romanesque bridges on the approach to Figueres, don’t miss the Dalí’s Museum.
Section 5: Figueres to Barcelona – 405 miles / 34,175ft of climbing
The fifth and final section is no simple run-in towards Barcelona. Beginning in the Cap de Creus Natural Park, the route enters the Empordà and the Costa Brava – a land where hidden coves, whitewashed villages, coastal trails and a mosaic of fields illustrate centuries of Mediterranean history. The creative energy of Girona, cycling capital of South Europe, acts as a temporary diversion before riders again head into nature with the Vic plain and the forests of the Montseny Natural Park. Now on the homeward approach, the open and agricultural Vallès plain announces the route to Collserola, where riders can enjoy one last view over Barcelona before descending into the city.
For more information about the Grand Tour of Catalonia Gravel, head to the website now.
1 thought on “42 stages, unbeatable scenery, 144,000ft of climbing: Is the Grand Tour of Catalonia Gravel the world’s most epic gravel ride?”
It would seem that I need that lottery win even more than I thought, or a sabbatical. Nah, just the lottery win…