Why this ride
272 km from Eixample to Eixample, about 4 h 33 of riding. On the way it passes La Pedra de les Orenetes, Cova dels Segarulls, Cova de Vallmajor and back through Cova dels Segarulls. The line favours views over speed.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Casa Batlló and Cova de Vallmajor
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 272 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 4 h 33
- 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.
Scenic road chapters
Monserrat Mountain Road
Expect company on a summer weekend. Early is better than fast. For about 34 km this is Monserrat Mountain Road, a road with a name of its own and a reason for it.
Chapter facts
- Length
- 34 km
- Named road
- Monserrat Mountain Road
Waypoint introductions and full write-ups
1. Casa Batlló
Passeig de Gràcia is the grand avenue of Barcelona, and on its sunny side stands a building that looks like it was made out of something living. Casa Batlló, remodelled by Antoni Gaudí between 1904 and 1906 for the textile industrialist Josep Batlló, is a facade of mottled glass and ceramic, with balconies shaped like masks or skulls and bone-like columns, and a roof ridge that arches like the back of a dragon, with a tower topped by a cross. Locals call it the House of Bones, and the roof is said to represent the dragon slain by Saint George, patron saint of Catalonia.
Read the complete Casa Batlló write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Casa Batlló is where the day begins. Next is La Pedra de les Orenetes.
2. La Pedra de les Orenetes
La Pedra de les Orenetes, the Swallows' Stone, is a granite boulder in the hills above La Roca del Vallès, and its surface is covered with small carved hollows and other marks left by people in prehistory. Nobody knows exactly what they meant; such engraved rocks are found across Catalonia, and theories range from ritual offerings to maps of the stars. The rock sits among cork oaks and pines in the Serralada Litoral, the coastal range that separates the Vallès plain from the sea, and the walk to reach it is short and pleasant, through scented forest with views over the plain.
Read the complete La Pedra de les Orenetes write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
La Pedra de les Orenetes comes up about 34 km into the recorded legs. Next is Cova dels Segarulls.
3. Cova dels Segarulls
The vineyards of the Penedès roll out in every direction from Vilafranca, and the Cova dels Segarulls lies among them, a few kilometres outside the town in the low hills toward the coastal range.
Read the complete Cova dels Segarulls write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
about 106 km into the recorded legs you reach Cova dels Segarulls. Next is Cova de Vallmajor.
4. Cova de Vallmajor
Inland from the Costa Daurada, behind the beach towns of El Vendrell and Calafell, the land rises into the low hills of the Baix Penedès, a landscape of vineyards, almond and olive groves, pine woods and small villages. The Cova de Vallmajor, near Albinyana and Bonastre, is a rock shelter in these hills with prehistoric paintings, part of the Levantine rock art of the Mediterranean that is recognised as a World Heritage Site. The paintings are faint and the shelter is protected, so visits are usually by arrangement.
Read the complete Cova de Vallmajor write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Cova de Vallmajor, about halfway. Next is back through Cova dels Segarulls.
5. back through Cova dels Segarulls
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Cova dels Segarulls write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Cova dels Segarulls sits at 186 km, about halfway. Next is back through La Pedra de les Orenetes.
6. back through La Pedra de les Orenetes
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete La Pedra de les Orenetes write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through La Pedra de les Orenetes comes up about 238 km into the recorded legs. Next is Casa Batlló.
7. Casa Batlló
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Casa Batlló write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Casa Batlló closes the day.
Leg by leg
Casa Batlló to La Pedra de les Orenetes
Casa Batlló → La Pedra de les Orenetes is 34 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
La Pedra de les Orenetes to Cova dels Segarulls
La Pedra de les Orenetes → Cova dels Segarulls is 72 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.
Cova dels Segarulls to Cova de Vallmajor
Cova dels Segarulls → Cova de Vallmajor is 29 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Cova de Vallmajor to back through Cova dels Segarulls
Cova de Vallmajor → back through Cova dels Segarulls is 30 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Cova dels Segarulls to back through La Pedra de les Orenetes
back through Cova dels Segarulls → back through La Pedra de les Orenetes is 73 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.
back through La Pedra de les Orenetes to Casa Batlló
back through La Pedra de les Orenetes → Casa Batlló is 34 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.