CYCLING CATALONIA
Perfect roads without end
You can go out with your family to ride the network of bike paths and greenways that link many Catalan municipalities. They travel through extraordinary natural surroundings. You can ride around peacefully and without rushing in the Delta de l’Ebre, the Vall Fosca, Collserola or among the volcanoes of La Garrotxa.
Cycling for everyone
The love of biking knows no bounds. On a hand bike, for example, you can explore the Terra Alta or Girona greenways. Catalonia, the land of great cyclists and magnificent mountain passes, gives you roads, paths and greenways for a bicycle excursion for all levels.
Catalonia, a tradition of cycling
For decades, the hundreds of cycle touring associations in the country have been creating space in the Catalan local road network. On weekends, the curviest roads and those with steep hills are the perfect place for bike-lovers to cruise around with friends for the sheer pleasure of the sport. The most famous peaks, such as Turó de l’Home, Coll del Pradell and Coll de Collfred, are some of the goals for the mountaineering cyclists. On the Costa Brava, the Costa Daurada or Costa Barcelona there are equally beautiful routes for groups looking for a flatter ride. There is a reward halfway through: a good pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomato) with sausage in some of the traditional roadside restaurants.
QUALITY OF THE RIDE
Catalonia generally boasts – take my word – best road network for cycling in the world. Countless single line secondary roads with next to non-existing road traffic and maintained in excellent condition. Costa Daurada is no exception, and you can spend weeks riding different routes being based out of single point.
TERRAIN
Well yes Catalonia is best known for the Pyrenees and their outskirts that’s up North. But that in no way means that South is flat! In fact, Catalonia is generally massively mountainous land with barely and flat stretch except for some riverbeds. Southern Catalonia and Costa Daurada region is how to many many superb hills and passes. First there is coastal ridge that’s basically goes along entire peninsula and mountains rise everywhere as you direct yourself from the coast to the inlands. Then there are couple of real gems. The Prades mountains is beautiful rocky range that boasts some nice climbs and lots of roads and endless climbing, where La Mussara climb stays apart as the iconic one for the locals. Then there are Sierra de Llaberia. And of course El Priorat – famous wine destination with some short but gruelling climbs.
THE CULTURE
Catalan culture boasts a huge history as well as it’s own unique traditions and cuisine. Taking the time to discover some authentic Catalan traditions as well as those well known Spanish ones will only make your trip to Barcelona an even better one.
3 rides in Catalonia
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