Grand Tour Catalunya Gravel

When to go

• Catalonia is a year-round destination, but for the full 2,500-kilometer loop, Spring and Autumn are ideal. Keep in mind that summer heat can be intense in the southern plains (exceeding 35°C), while winter snow typically blocks the high Pyrenean passes from December to March.

Logistics

• Barcelona is the main international hub, but since the route is circular and passes through Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona, you can easily start at any of these cities. All of them are connected by high-speed trains (AVE) and regional lines that are generally very bike-friendly.
• Note that the high-speed trains often require bikes to be checked and inside at least a flimsy bag that can be purchased locally.

Dangers & Annoyances

• There are no significant technical dangers. However, mountain weather is unpredictable; always carry layers for the high passes. In the south, sun exposure is the main factor to manage. Also, be mindful of occasional farm vehicles on rural tracks during harvest seasons.

What bike?

• A gravel bike with 40mm to 45mm tires is ideal. Given that the 45,000 meters of total climbing are mostly concentrated in the Pyrenees, a wide gear range is highly recommended.

• Strategic Planning: Every one of the 42 stages is designed to start and end in a town with at least three accommodation options. This makes the route incredibly accessible, allowing you to choose between luxury, budget, or anything in between.
• Campsite Network: Catalonia has one of the best campsite networks in Europe. Many are located right on the route and are “Bikefriendly” certified, meaning they offer secure bike storage and basic tools.
• Wild Camping: Please note that wild camping is strictly regulated in Catalonia, especially inside Natural Parks (like Cadí-Moixeró or Cap de Creus). It is highly recommended to use official campsites or established lodgings to avoid fines and respect the environment.
• Rural Houses (Turisme Rural): For a more authentic experience, look for restored farmhouses converted into small hotels. They are often run by locals who know the best hidden paths and offer the best regional breakfast.

• Water Accessibility: Tap water in Catalonia is safe to drink and of high quality. You will find public fountains (fonts) in almost every village square. It is rare to pedal more than 40 kilometers without a water source, but always carry at least 1.5L, especially in the arid sections of the Ebro, inland Lleida or the Pyreness.
• Resupply: The route strikes a perfect balance between remote nature and rural life. You’ll often feel alone in the wild, yet the track conveniently passes through villages with small supermarkets (supermercats) and local bakeries.
• The “Siesta” Factor: Important! Many small village shops and pharmacies close between 14:00 and 17:00. Plan your food resupply for the morning or late afternoon. Restaurants usually serve lunch from 13:00 to 15:30 and dinner from 20:30 onwards.

The route is divided into five major blocks. Each section has recommended stages that can serve as a fairly relaxed day-by-day itinerary for riders who want to take their time. You can read more about each stage here.

locationBarcelona – Tarragona

Section 1 (481km, 8,454m)

Barcelona, a vibrant Mediterranean city, is the starting point of the route that transforms the urban landscape into nature in just a few kilometers. The terrain rises gently towards Collserola, then recedes into progressive climbs towards Sant Llorenç del Munt. Montserrat emerges like a mineral temple and guides the entrance into the Penedès, where vineyards stretch out like geometric gardens. The sea feels distant yet always present, just like the legacy of Pau Casals as we approach the Costa Daurada. Divided into eight stages, this segment blends gentle mountains, culture, and unmistakably Mediterranean sunlight until reaching Tarragona.

location Tarragona – Lleida

Section 2 (460km, 6,092m)

Section two also has eight unique stages. Continue alongside the coastline, where the sea draws a soft horizon, and the route moves towards the Ebre Delta, one of the flattest and most expansive territories in the country, where elevation barely changes, and the horizon seems endless. The route then climbs towards the Natural Park of Els Ports, with rugged landscapes, forests, and wide panoramic viewpoints, before flowing along the Val de Zafán greenway. The Priorat introduces terraced vineyards and steep mountains before reaching the silence of Cistercian monasteries and the inland plains of Lleida, surrounded by orchards, cereal fields, and infinite light.

location Lleida – La Seu d’Urgell

Section 3 (491km, 11,390m)

Split into eight stages as well, this section begins entering the higher mountains. From the plains of Lleida, dominated by fields and minimal slopes, the route follows the Segre River and the Ruta dels Llacs before entering the Montsec, with panoramic climbs and reservoirs nestled between cliffs. The terrain becomes more vertical as we reach the Pyrenees: demanding mountain passes, deep valleys, and peaks rising above 3,000 meters. The Val d’Aran, the Àneu valleys, and the Alt Pirineu Natural Park offer the most alpine sections of the entire journey, before culminating in sweeping, endless views from the Pic de l’Orri.

location La Seu d’Urgell – Figueres

Section 4 (404km, 8,398m)

Connecting Alt Urgell with the Empordà, from the rugged landscapes of the Cadí and the Pedraforca, with long climbs and passes over 2,000 meters, the route heads northeast across the Cerdanya, one of the widest and brightest valleys in the Pyrenees. Between medieval villages, forested valleys, volcanic landscapes, and basalt cliffs, the route flows naturally towards Banyoles. The final stages advance among farmhouses, fields, and Romanesque bridges until reaching Figueres, the cultural gateway to the Empordà.

location Figueres – Barcelona

Section 4 (652km, 10,781m)

With 10 stages, the final segment begins in the Cap de Creus Natural Park, where wind and rock create a landscape as surreal as the shapes Dalí once imagined. From here, the route enters the Empordà and the Costa Brava, a land where hidden coves, whitewashed villages, coastal trails, and a mosaic of fields coexist, telling centuries of Mediterranean history. Girona welcomes us with its walls, bridges, and a creative energy that permeates the entire city. Further on, the Vic plain and the forests of the Montseny Natural Park bring silence, freshness, and lively climbs. And finally, the Vallès plain, open and agricultural, once again announces the approach to Collserola, offering one last balcony over the city before descending into Barcelona, where this adventure ends exactly where it began.

Check out this video previewing the route!