Why this ride
From Montblanc it runs 428 km to Montblanc; allow about 9 h 57 of riding. It goes by way of Paleochristian cemetery, Balma d'En Roc, Prop de la Cova Pintada and Abric d'Ermites I. The line favours views over speed.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Britus Il and Abric d'Ermites I
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 428 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 9 h 57
- Journey
- Recorded itinerary
Distance and timing basis
Ordered leg totals agree within rounding. Stop distances are approximate sums of rounded legs. Stops, delays, approach and any separate return travel add time. Basis: producer-declared routed record.
Reading history stays on this device. My road watch requires a separate selection; opening it does not subscribe this ride.
Distance and riding time are measured on the routed road. Check local closures and conditions before you ride.
Waypoint introductions and full write-ups
1. Britus Il
What matters is the country around it, which is some of the finest in inland Catalonia. You are in the Conca de Barberà, the basin of the Francolí river, a few kilometres from the walled town of Montblanc and the village of Alcover, with the wooded wall of the Serra de Prades rising to the west. The area is dotted with prehistoric rock shelters, part of the great arc of Mediterranean rock art that runs down eastern Spain, and many of the site names along these rides are exactly that: a ledge of sandstone or limestone where hunters painted deer and archers thousands of years ago.
Read the complete Britus Il write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Britus Il is where the day begins. Next is Paleochristian cemetery.
2. Paleochristian cemetery
When the Roman city of Tarraco converted to Christianity, its people began burying their dead beside the Francolí river, west of the town, and the necropolis that grew up there over the fourth and fifth centuries is now one of the most important early Christian burial sites in the western Mediterranean. Hundreds of tombs were found, from simple graves to carved marble sarcophagi, along with remains of a basilica. Tradition links the site with Saint Fructuosus, the bishop of Tarraco burned in the amphitheatre in the year 259 along with two deacons.
Read the complete Paleochristian cemetery write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Paleochristian cemetery comes up about 37 km into the recorded legs. Next is Balma d'En Roc.
3. Balma d'En Roc
Inland from the Costa Daurada, the Serra de Llaberia rises abruptly above the coastal plain, a jagged wall of limestone separating the sea from the valley of the Ebro. The rock shelter of Balma d'En Roc lies in this rough country, part of the Levantine rock art inscribed by UNESCO, and like most of its kind it is small, fragile and best visited with local guidance. The nearest villages are scattered: Ginestar on the Ebro, El Perelló on the coastal side, and Mont-roig del Camp to the north-east.
Read the complete Balma d'En Roc write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
about 88 km into the recorded legs you reach Balma d'En Roc. Next is Prop de la Cova Pintada.
4. Prop de la Cova Pintada
The Ports massif rises abruptly at the meeting point of Catalonia, Aragón and Valencia, a tangle of limestone peaks, deep gorges and pine forest that feels surprisingly wild given how close it is to the Ebro delta and the coast. Prop de la Cova Pintada, meaning near the painted cave, sits on its southern side, between Mas de Barberans, Valderrobres and the old city of Tortosa.
Read the complete Prop de la Cova Pintada write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Prop de la Cova Pintada, about halfway. Next is Abric d'Ermites I.
5. Abric d'Ermites I
Where Catalonia runs out, the Serra de Godall stands guard over Ulldecona, and in the rock faces under its ridge the oldest residents of the district left their paintings. Ulldecona is the southernmost town in the Tarragona province, a few kilometres from the Valencian border, and the shelters known collectively as Abrics de l'Ermita lie on the hill above the old hermitage. The Levantine paintings here, small and red, are part of the group UNESCO listed in 1998, and they are among the best preserved in Catalonia.
Read the complete Abric d'Ermites I write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Abric d'Ermites I sits at 179 km, about halfway. Next is back through Prop de la Cova Pintada.
6. back through Prop de la Cova Pintada
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Prop de la Cova Pintada write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Prop de la Cova Pintada comes up about 257 km into the recorded legs. Next is back through Balma d'En Roc.
7. back through Balma d'En Roc
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Balma d'En Roc write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
about 340 km into the recorded legs you reach back through Balma d'En Roc. Next is back through Paleochristian cemetery.
8. back through Paleochristian cemetery
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Paleochristian cemetery write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Paleochristian cemetery, late in the day. Next is Britus Il.
9. Britus Il
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Britus Il write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
The route ends here after 428 km.
Leg by leg
Britus Il to Paleochristian cemetery
Britus Il → Paleochristian cemetery is 37 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Paleochristian cemetery to Balma d'En Roc
Paleochristian cemetery → Balma d'En Roc is 51 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Balma d'En Roc to Prop de la Cova Pintada
Balma d'En Roc → Prop de la Cova Pintada is 71 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Prop de la Cova Pintada to Abric d'Ermites I
Prop de la Cova Pintada → Abric d'Ermites I is 54 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Abric d'Ermites I to back through Prop de la Cova Pintada
Abric d'Ermites I → back through Prop de la Cova Pintada is 44 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Prop de la Cova Pintada to back through Balma d'En Roc
back through Prop de la Cova Pintada → back through Balma d'En Roc is 83 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Balma d'En Roc to back through Paleochristian cemetery
back through Balma d'En Roc → back through Paleochristian cemetery is 50 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Paleochristian cemetery to Britus Il
back through Paleochristian cemetery → Britus Il is 38 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.