Why this ride
From Montblanc it runs 431 km to Montblanc; allow about 10 h 01 of riding. On the way it passes Paleochristian cemetery, Balma d'En Roc, Prop de la Cova Pintada and Abric d'Ermites VI. The line favours views over speed.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Cova de les Creus and Abric d'Ermites VI
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 431 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 10 h 01
- 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. Cova de les Creus
Montblanc is a walled town that looks almost too perfect, and then you realise it has been looking like this since the fourteenth century. The Conca de Barberà is a basin of vineyards and cereal fields ringed by low mountains, and Montblanc sits at its heart with over a kilometre of medieval walls, towers and gates still standing. The town claims to be the setting for the legend of St George and the dragon, and each April it celebrates the festival of Sant Jordi, with a medieval week of costumes and markets.
Read the complete Cova de les Creus write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Cova de les Creus 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 38 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 89 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 VI.
5. Abric d'Ermites VI
Ulldecona sits at the foot of the Serra de Godall, in the southern tip of Catalonia, close to the border with Valencia and a short distance from the Ebro delta. The town is an old one, set among olive groves that produce a good oil, and above it stands the hermitage of La Pietat, with long views to the sea. The Abric d'Ermites VI is one of the rock shelters of the Ermites group, painted in the Levantine style with small red figures of hunters, and part of the Mediterranean Basin rock art inscribed by UNESCO in 1998. The shelters lie in the cliffs of the Godall range, and access is by foot with regulations to protect the paintings.
Read the complete Abric d'Ermites VI write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Abric d'Ermites VI sits at 180 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 258 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 341 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 Cova de les Creus.
9. Cova de les Creus
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Cova de les Creus 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 431 km.
Leg by leg
Cova de les Creus to Paleochristian cemetery
Cova de les Creus → Paleochristian cemetery is 38 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 VI
Prop de la Cova Pintada → Abric d'Ermites VI is 53 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Abric d'Ermites VI to back through Prop de la Cova Pintada
Abric d'Ermites VI → back through Prop de la Cova Pintada is 45 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 Cova de les Creus
back through Paleochristian cemetery → Cova de les Creus is 39 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
More motorcycle rides nearby
- Mas d'En Carles and Abric d'Ermites VI · 446 km
- Britus I and Abric d'Ermites I · 431 km
- Britus Il and Abric d'Ermites I · 428 km
- Poblet Monastery and Abric d'Ermites VI · 444 km