Top 10 most beautiful cycling routes in Costa Daurada
The Costa Daurada , part of the province of Tarragona, is located in the south of Catalonia, about an hour's drive from Barcelona. This region is famous for its magnificent beaches. Its name comes from the golden color of the sand. Attention cyclists, fans of road or all-terrain bikes, the Costa Daurada offers more than 2,000 km of quiet and winding roads surrounded by nature. A true paradise to discover all year round, characterized by a mild and Mediterranean climate. The Costa Daurada is also home to municipalities specializing in bicycle tourism. They have certifications that guarantee cyclists will find all the necessary equipment to indulge in their favorite activity.in the best possible conditions. On the seafront, there are towns such as Cambrils, Salou, Vila-seca, La Pineda Platja and inland, towns such as Mont-roig del Camp - Miami Platja.
During these two-wheeled adventures, we certainly don't fail to discover the monastery of Poblet and the Roman heritage of Tarragona; to marvel at Art Nouveau in Reus; to dive into the heart of the Middle Ages at Montblanc; to taste the delights of Mediterranean cuisine in Cambrils; explore the vineyards and olive groves of the Priorat region; to indulge in wine tourism or to discover the legacy of the musician Pau Casals in Penedès.
Discover the 10 most beautiful cycling routes on the splendid Costa Daurada.
1. The Six Passes Route
This demanding Costa Daurada route offers a unique experience. It offers winding roads through historic Priorat, offering exceptional views from Montsant, located in the heart of the natural park. The Six Passes Route starts in Cambrils, heading towards Priorat, passing through Montbrió, Riudecanyes, Duesaigües, then the Coll de la Teixeta , before descending towards Porrera, surrounded by Grenache and Carignan vineyards. We then explore historic Priorat, passing through Torroja del Priorat, Vilella Baixa, and finally Escaladei, where the wine tradition has been preserved for centuries.
You then have to prepare for a difficult climb to La Morera , with slopes reaching up to 16% in the magnificent setting of the Montsant Natural Park. Finally, the return to Cambrils takes the road from Cornudella to Mussara, crossing Alforja and Castillejos, until reaching a pass of 15 kilometers, marking the highest point of the Costa Daurada. A unique challenge for cycling enthusiasts.
2. The La Mussara Route
For mountain cycling enthusiasts , the Costa Daurada offers an exceptional experience. The starting point of the La Mussara Route is in Salou, a major tourist destination in the area. The journey begins with a climb towards the south, passing through Cambrils. We then enter the heart of the inland landscapes of the Costa Daurada. We cross Montbrió del Camp , just 6 km from the sea, then head towards the Baix Camp region. This landscape is characterized by hazelnut fields and orchards, with stages at Riudoms, Les Borges del Camp, Alforja and Vilaplana, before reaching the summit of La Mussara. The ascent to La Mussara, with a gradient of 6.5%, leads to the top of the Prades mountains, culminating at almost 2,000 m above sea level. The panoramic view of the southern part of the Costa Daurada from this point is spectacular. Although this climb can be demanding, rest assured, the route continues with a continuous descent through the Montsant Natural Park, followed by another climb with a slope of 5% in the Baix Camp. We end by feeling the gentle Mediterranean breeze in Cambrils. An unforgettable cycling and mountain experience.
3. The Sea and Mountain Route
This road takes two-wheeled travelers to the heart of varied landscapes , from golden sandy beaches to the pre-coastal mountains. We are immersed in a unique environment, with stops in rural villages where agricultural activity is the driving force of the local economy. The opportunity to discover culture in the vineyards and olive groves, real landscape treasures.
The Sea and Mountain Route begins in Cambrils, famous for its exceptional gastronomy on the Costa Daurada, and then reaches Mont-roig del Camp. In the direction of Priorat, we cross La Torre de Fontaubella, to finally reach Marçà, a charming town surrounded by an exceptional natural setting. On site, the Pallissa is an essential stopover. The return to the coast leads to Falset, a town which stands out for its beautiful architecture . It houses the modernist cellar designed by Cèsar Martinell. We continue passing through Duesaigües, where we admire two bridges built in 1893 to span the ravines of Enseula and Massos.
4. The Cister Landscape Route
For centuries, the inland lands of the Costa Daurada were exploited and managed by Cistercian monks . The Cister Landscape Route is an excellent opportunity to explore a unique region, where vineyards coexist with cereal fields, creating changing panoramas with the seasons. From Nulles, we take the internal roads towards Vila-rodona and Aiguamúrcia, finally reaching Santes Creus. We then discover heritage treasures, and corners of exceptional beauty, bordered by the serenity of the Gaià river. The journey continues towards the Pont d'Armentera, from where we follow the road leading to Querol and Santa Coloma de Queralt.
The return leads to Sarral , renowned for its production of wine and cava produced from a rare indigenous grape variety, trepat. Wine activity is clearly visible along the surrounding roads, between Alt Camp and Cabra del Camp. The journey finally passes through El Pla de Santa Maria and Vila-rodona, before returning to Nulles to conclude this adventure.
5. The Penedès Landscape Route
To complete this cycling route, we leave El Vendrell to head towards Sant Jaume dels Domenys , where we then begin the climb towards the Collada de les Ventoses. The Penedès Landscape Route is a winding route which reveals exceptional panoramic views, surrounded by typically Mediterranean vegetation. La Collada is also called "La Atalaya". It actually leads to a residential area of the same name. The climb, with an elevation gain of 4.5% , extends over a distance of 7.7 km. It is from there that a very appreciable descent leads to the monastery of Santes Creus, a Cistercian abbey built in the 12th century, before returning to El Vendrell via Vila-rodona and Bonastre.
This route is the perfect route to discover the wine-growing landscapes of the Penedès designation of origin.
6. The Priorat Wine Landscapes Route
This emblematic route of the Costa Daurada begins in Falset , the capital of Priorat. The first ascent, a real sporting challenge, leads to Gratallops, a picturesque town in historic Priorat. Despite its rigor, the route offers breathtaking panoramas of spectacular vineyards, with the Montsant Natural Parkat the back, the only one in the territory of the Costa Daurada. We continue with the Consolació hermitage, protected by a row of cypresses. A place revered by the inhabitants of Priorat and which offers a grandiose view of the vineyards. Then head to the one that was nicknamed the “New York of Priorat” by the writer Josep María Espinàs: Vilella Baixa. This stop is perfect for exploring the Priorat of oil, with villages such as Cabacés, La Bisbal, Margalef and Ulldemolins, all nestled on the edge of the Sierra de Montsant Natural Park.
In Cornudella, the last two climbs of the Priorat Wine Landscapes Route await cyclists, leading successively to Porrera then to Falset . This cycling experience allows you to fully enjoy the grandiose landscapes of Priorat, while discovering the charms of its wine and olive-growing villages.
7. The Poblet Route and the Prades mountains
The journey begins at the Poblet monastery , the largest Cistercian monastic complex in the world, proudly listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. His visit is one of the essential cultural visits of the Costa Daurada . From there, the route heads towards Arena Pass. This 19 km climb crosses the Prades Mountains, an area classified in the Plan of Areas of Natural Interest with spectacular steep landscapes . We eventually reach Prades, often nicknamed the "red city" because of the color of its stones. The route of the Poblet and Prades Mountains route continues towards Capafonts, then descends towards La Riba, bringing us back to Espluga de Francolí. On my way,we also pass through Montblanc , a town renowned for its impressive walls 1.2 km long and 6 m high built in the 14th century .
8. The Serra de la LLaberia Route
The Serra de la Llaberia Route reveals to cyclists narrow gorges, dizzying cliffs and spectacular panoramic balconies. A natural environment of exceptional beauty. The adventure begins in Mont-roig del Camp, where we head towards Pratdip, renowned for being the territory of the "dips", small legendary creatures who have taken up residence in the mountains. From here we enter the heart of the Serra de la Llaberia . The ascent to Coll de Fatxes is simply spectacular. The latter is located between the municipalities of Vandellòs, L'Hospitalet de l'Infant and Vall de Llors, near Montalt and la Mola de Genessies. From this place, a road leads to Tivissa,thus marks the entry into the Priorat region . This area is characterized by its hills where the vine reigns supreme, and where the vines produce high quality wines season after season. It is then time to begin the ascent of Coll de Colldejou, backed by the Mola mountain, one of the treasures of the Costa Daurada. Then, we return to Mont-roig del Camp , thus ending an unforgettable adventure through breathtaking landscapes.
9. The Valls South Route
In road cycling mode, this route takes you through the south of Valls , passing through the charming little villages that flood the region. It also allows you to bypass main roads. The point of departure and arrival is Valls, a town which is home to some remarkable buildings. It is also famous for being the cradle of the tradition of calçots, a type of white onion with a thin bulb which is the subject of a community festival, and the starting point of the famous human towers, called castells .
With almost no difference in altitude, the Route Valls Sud is perfect for those who want to follow a quiet route. This is one of the flattest routes on the Costa Daurada, with only a few gentle climbs. We cross various villages in the comarques of Alt Camp, Baix Penedès and Tarragonès , without forgetting fields of olive trees, almond trees, hazelnut trees, carob trees and vineyards.
10. The Vall del Riu Brugent Route
This challenging cycling route begins in L'Arboç, in Penedès , and leads right through the Prades Mountains, offering stunning views of the Brugent River valley. The Prades Mountains are home to rich biodiversity in the valleys of the Siurana, Brugent and Glorieta rivers. The Vall del Riu Brugent Route immerses cycling lovers in the unspoiled nature of the Costa Daurada , with rural landscapes, vegetation of pines, holm oaks and other oaks characteristic of the mountains.
Then, when crossing the plain of Alt Camp and Tarragonès, places with landscapes of olive trees and hazelnut trees. Arriving in Tarragona, we finally discover the Roman remains classified as UNESCO world heritage sites in this thrilling city. The last one takes place along the coast, where we take pleasure in enjoying the atmosphere of the seaside resorts of Altafulla, Torredembarra and Creixell. This circuit summarizes the essence of the Costa Daurada, combining diversity of landscapes, preserved nature, historical heritage and seaside pleasures.
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