Between Montblanc and Vimbodí, in the Conca de Barberà, the land rises toward the Prades mountains and the Serra de la Llena, and in the sandstone and limestone outcrops of these hills, prehistoric hunters left paintings in rock shelters. Britus I is one of these sites, with figures painted in the distinctive style of Levantine rock art, which shows scenes of hunting, gathering and daily life with lively human and animal figures. The rock art of the Mediterranean Basin on the Iberian Peninsula was inscribed by UNESCO in 1998, covering hundreds of sites from Catalonia to Andalusia. Many are small and fragile, and access is often restricted to protect them.
The Conca de Barberà is a region of vineyards, almond orchards and medieval towns. Montblanc, a short ride to the east, is surrounded by an impressive circuit of medieval walls, and claims to be the place where Saint George, the patron saint of Catalonia, slew the dragon. Every April, the town celebrates with a medieval festival. The great Cistercian monastery of Poblet, a UNESCO site and the burial place of the kings of Aragon, lies a few kilometres to the west, near Vimbodí, with its massive walls and peaceful cloisters.
The riding here is very good. The roads through the Conca de Barberà wind through vineyards and hills, with good surfaces and light traffic. The climb into the Prades mountains, toward the village of Prades or over the Coll de Lilla toward Valls, offers tight bends, steep gradients and views over the plain. The roads around Poblet and up toward the forests of the Serra de Prades are particularly enjoyable. Summer heat is intense, and spring and autumn are the best times to ride, when the vineyards are green or golden.
Montblanc, about seven kilometres away, has petrol, places to eat and shops, and the villages nearby have smaller options. The local wines are excellent, including the Trepat red grape, a regional variety used for rosé cava. Visit Poblet, walk the walls of Montblanc, and if the rock shelter is open or a guided visit is available, look closely at the paintings. They are small, faint and precious, a direct link to people who lived here thousands of years ago.