If you ever decide to visit Catalonia and ride a bike, these are our best 5 loops you can try. Montseny mountains loop. 90 km, 2 big climbs (Coll Formic and Santa Fe del Montseny) and 1900 mts elevation. A true gift of catalan roads and a demanding ride (especially if you add the climb to Turó de l'Home!). On a working day, you will find zero traffic (or close to zero). The best part is the 25 km descent (yes! 25 km descent!) once you get to the top of Santa Fe. Stunning. See Strava route here: https://www.strava.com/activities/11650429207 Montserrat loop. Being close to Barcelona, some would try to cycle to Montserrat from the city of Barcelona, but we suggest an unbeatable loop with 80km, 2 climbs (Montserrat and Coll de l'Obac) and 1500 mts elevation . The starting point is Monistrol de Montserrat and a very good place for parking is the Cremallera train station. The views of the sacred catalan mountain are just amazing during most of the ride. We see how the mountain change shapes while we are surrounding the big mountain. See Strava route here: https://www.strava.com/activities/18358976330 Girona province north loop: Col de Banyuls and Sant Pere de Rodes. 96 km, 2 major climbs and 1700 mts elevation Starting at Perelada, a small town in Girona province, famous for the Casino and its summer concerts. The route gets to Espolla and climbs Col de Banyuls in a very little road with no traffic. Very steep descent to France to Banyuls sur Mer and back to Spain in the hilly coastal road. Once in Port de la Selva you climb to the Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery, a challenging and superbeautiful climb overlooking the sea. See Strava route here: https://www.strava.com/routes/3518895907270440540 The beginning of the Pyrenees: Coll de Bracons
If you ever decide to visit Catalonia and ride a bike, these are our best 5 loops you can try. Montseny mountains loop. 90 km, 2 big climbs (Coll Formic and Santa Fe del Montseny) and 1900 mts elevation. A true gift of catalan roads and a demanding ride (especially if you add the climb
When Le Grand Depart 2026 announced the 3 stages that would take place in Catalonia, we all had a look at the first big mountain pass which was included in stage 3: Granollers-Les Angles. It was the climb to la Collada de Toses, a historical mountain pass in Catalonia. Collada de Toses is a very known pass connecting the Bergueda region with Cerdanya region, which capital is Puigcerdà. This is a 50 km long road (about 25 km from Ribes de Freser and other 25 km from Puigcerdà). It is a very mild climb on both sides, amazing views overlooking the valley, usually with very little traffic. Since the Tunel del Cadi was open in 1984, it took most of the traffic off the Collada de Toses, reducing dramatically the time driving between Barcelona and Puigcerdà. On top there is a Hotel (Hotel La Collada), a usual place for skiers in winter. And a little less crowded hotel in summer, even if there are plenty of activities to do in the high mountains surrounding. But then, as we locals know, and Tour de France got to know as well of course, there is a shortcut half way the climb from Ribes de Freser. This road is indicated to Fornells de la Selva and Toses (village). Once taken this road there is a narrow and little road, a few km of descent and then the climb about 9 km long with the last 4 km very steep (at about %). This is the way that Tour de France took the riders on the third stage of Le Tour 2026. We were lucky enough to watch live this stage 3, and honestly, the atmosphere was amazing! As a proper 1st category climb, it was supercrowded. Everybody was cheering the cyclists and leaving
When Le Grand Depart 2026 announced the 3 stages that would take place in Catalonia, we all had a look at the first big mountain pass which was included in stage 3: Granollers-Les Angles. It was the climb to la Collada de Toses, a historical mountain pass in Catalonia. Collada de Toses is a very
The natural border between France and Spain are the Pyrenees. On the eastern part of the Pyrenees there are several not-so-known passes between Spain (Catalonia) and France. Some of them are Col d'Ares (a serious pass with 1512 mts), Alt de Costoja (crossing to France to the village same named Coustouge), and the last one before getting to the sea is Col de Banyuls, with just 355 mts altitude. This is the most eastern pass in the Pyrenees. On the south (catalan) side, the road to Col de Banyuls is very narrow and solitaire, even hard to find. The starting point is at Espolla, and from that point there are 9,25 km at about 3% average gradient. But with some short stretches at 14%. On the north (french) side, things are more difficult because there is a very steep section with 2 km at 11%. Really challenging! The views to the french riviera from the top of Banyuls are stunning. On top of the climb there is a small monument dedicated to the catalan people exiliated to France after the Civil war in 1936. A pretty unknown climb in the Pyrenees that you cannot miss! In out private guided tours you can discover Col de Banyuls in a beautiful loop that we usually do starting at Peralada. We climb Col de Banyuls and then, once in Spain, we climb to the impressive Monestir de Sant Pere de Rodes. What a stage!
The natural border between France and Spain are the Pyrenees. On the eastern part of the Pyrenees there are several not-so-known passes between Spain (Catalonia) and France. Some of them are Col d’Ares (a serious pass with 1512 mts), Alt de Costoja (crossing to France to the village same named Coustouge), and the last one before getting
A few weeks ago we introduced a nice cycling trip in the Catalan Pyrenees. But climbing the eastern Pyrenees has many other options. Now, let me show you another version of a cycling trip in the eastern Pyrenees. In this trip we include some very nice climbs, quite known in the cycling world. It is 5 stages long and start/finish is in the french/Spanish border, at Cerbere. This is our suggestion: Stage 1 Cerbere-El Pertus. Start direction north, and in Banyuls sur Mer we lead inland to climb the short but very steep Col de Banyuls. After the long descent, we head north at the very border to climb a dead-end climb called Pic Neulós (literally Misty peak, in Catalan language), via Col de l'Ouillat. Then descent to El Pertus to stay overnight. Stage 2 El Pertus-Arles sure Tech. This stage includes a couple of nice unknown border passes. They are La Vajol (a former pass for Catalan exiles people during the Civil war in Spain) and Alt de Costoja, a nice wide climb crossing villages as Maçanet de Cabrenys and Tapis. No more than 90 km but plenty of climbing in solitaire roads. Stage 3 Arles sure Tech-Camprodon. One of the main Catalan border passes is Col d'Ares, which is the main pass at this stage. It is very demanding on the north (french) side. Not the same from the Catalan side. The stage could lead straight to Camprodon, but the route heads to a very nice and demanding loop, climbing a couple of short but very steep mountains. Absolutely wonderful area for cycling in tiny solitaire roads. Stage 4 Camprodon-Puigcerdà. Camprodon is a nice mountain village. This stage starts with the climb to the pretty known Vallter 2000. This climb,
A few weeks ago we introduced a nice cycling trip in the Catalan Pyrenees. But climbing the eastern Pyrenees has many other options. Now, let me show you another version of a cycling trip in the eastern Pyrenees. In this trip we include some very nice climbs, quite known in the cycling world. It is
Let me introduce you all to a great cycling trip in the Catalan Pyrenees. The idea comes from a local club in a little french village near the coast named Bompas. It includes the eastern part of the Pyrenees, getting to the Mediterranean sea. In fact, the trip includes an amazing coastal road in the Spanish-french border, and then a stunning climb to the Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery overviewing the coast. It is 676 km long and includes all 3 Catalan-speaking countries: Spain, France, and Andorra. The route includes many important climbs in the area such as Coll d'Ares, La Quillane, Puymorens, Envalira, Collada de Toses, or Monestir de Sant Pere de Rodes. The highest point is Coll d'Envalira, at 2407 mts height, in fact, the highest pass in the whole Pyrenees range of mountains. The total elevation of the trip is over 9700 mts. Possible start at Ripoll, we climb Coll d’Ares then to Prats de Mollo, towards Pertús, La Jonquera to Roses and then heading north to France until Collioure and Bompàs (home of the club who suggested the tour). Then to Rivesaltes, Sournia, Prades, Sant Miquel de Cuixa, Sant Marti del Canigo, Vilafranca de Conflent. Climb to Coll de la Quillane. Mont Louis, Llac de las Bouillouses. then you have to climb to Puymorens and Port d’Envalira. Descent to Andorra and back to Catalonia then Collada de Toses and back to Ripoll. Nevertheless, there is also some additional climb that should be mentioned and included if you have time enough on a trip like this. Let me suggest one of my favorite climbs in the whole Pyrenees, which is Port de Pailheres. When to do the trip This trip is possible in summer, and also late spring or early autumn. It is also possible to do
Let me introduce you all to a great cycling trip in the Catalan Pyrenees. The idea comes from a local club in a little french village near the coast named Bompas. It includes the eastern part of the Pyrenees, getting to the Mediterranean sea. In fact, the trip includes an amazing coastal road in the
