Why this ride
A 256 km round trip from La Roca del Vallès - roughly 3 h 37 in the saddle. On the way it passes Cova dels Segarulls, Paleochristian cemetery and back through Cova dels Segarulls. A steady touring day rather than a sprint.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
La Pedra de les Orenetes and Paleochristian cemetery
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 256 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 3 h 37
- 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 72 km this is Monserrat Mountain Road, a road with a name of its own and a reason for it.
Chapter facts
- Length
- 72 km
- Named road
- Monserrat Mountain Road
Waypoint introductions and full write-ups
1. 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 is where the day begins. Next is Cova dels Segarulls.
2. 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
Cova dels Segarulls comes up about 72 km into the recorded legs. Next is Paleochristian cemetery.
3. 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
about 128 km into the recorded legs you reach Paleochristian cemetery. Next is back through Cova dels Segarulls.
4. 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, late in the day. Next is La Pedra de les Orenetes.
5. 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 at La Pedra de les Orenetes. That is the ride.
Leg by leg
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 Paleochristian cemetery
Cova dels Segarulls → Paleochristian cemetery is 56 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Paleochristian cemetery to back through Cova dels Segarulls
Paleochristian cemetery → back through Cova dels Segarulls is 55 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Cova dels Segarulls to La Pedra de les Orenetes
back through Cova dels Segarulls → La Pedra de les Orenetes is 72 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.