R5 — Top of the Garraf Massif
R1 — Barcelona's aerial panoramic view since the Tibidabo
R2 — Road of Sarrià at Vallvidrera
R3 — Castellet de Foix
R4 — Castellvi de la Marca
R6 — Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park
R7 — Pantà de Sau
R8 — The Bellmunt Sanctuary
8 Road Cycling Routes Through the Grand Départ Territories of the 2026 Tour de France
From Tibidabo to Penedès, from Garraf to Osona — eight routes through the landscapes that connect the province of Barcelona with the 2026 Grand Départ.
When the Tour de France selected the province of Barcelona as the starting point of the 2026 Grand Départ, it confirmed what the cycling community already knew: that this is a territory built for road cycling. The climate, the topography, the road network, the culture — all of it works. What follows are eight routes that cross the province from different angles, covering a wide range of profiles and distances. Some follow sections of the official race route. All of them offer something worth riding for.
Route 1. Barcelona – Tibidabo – Sant Cugat – Barcelona
52 km · 890 m elevation gain · Level: accessible
A route that earns its views. Starting at the Vila Olímpica in Poblenou, it climbs to Tibidabo — where Barcelona spreads out below in full — before entering Collserola Natural Park. The descent through Sant Cugat del Vallès and Cerdanyola leads back into the city via Horta, the velodrome and Parc Güell, finishing near Parc de la Ciutadella. The climbs are manageable for less experienced cyclists, and the route packs more landmark density per kilometre than most.
Points of interest: Tibidabo, Collserola Natural Park, Sant Cugat Monastery, Vila Olímpica, Parc de la Ciutadella, Arc de Triomf, Parliament of Catalonia.
Route 2. Barcelona – Collserola – Molins de Rei – Barcelona
48 km · 950 m elevation gain · Level: accessible
Short in distance, but not in reward. This route heads into the Collserola Natural Park from Tibidabo and tackles the Coll de la Creu d'Olorda — one of the classic climbs of the Barcelona area — with wide views over the metropolitan area at the top. The return via Molins de Rei and the Sarrià neighbourhood brings riders back through a quieter, more residential side of the city. A section of this route follows the second stage of the 2026 Tour de France.
Points of interest: Tibidabo, Collserola Natural Park, Coll de la Creu d'Olorda, Vallvidrera, Molins de Rei.
Route 3. Sitges – Begues – Vilafranca of the Penedès – Pantà de Foix – Sitges
104 km · 950 m elevation gain · Level: demanding
The route starts in Sitges and heads inland through the Coll de Begues into the Alt Penedès — vine country, with all that implies. It passes through Vilafranca del Penedès and reaches the Pantà de Foix reservoir before returning via Vilanova i la Geltrú. The terrain is demanding and the distance is real: recommended for experienced cyclists. The combination of coast, mountain and wine country makes it one of the more complete day routes in the province.
Points of interest: Sitges, Castelldefels, Coll de Begues, Vilafranca del Penedès, Pantà de Foix, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Garraf Natural Park.
Route 4. Cicloexperience Garraf-Penedès
60 km · 759 m elevation gain · Level: intermediate
Sea, mountains and vineyards in a single day. This circular route from Vilanova i la Geltrú crosses the coastal Garraf, climbs into the inland peaks of Penedès and returns along quiet lanes with Mediterranean views. The highest point reaches 842 m. The stretches through Font-Rubí and Subirats — narrow roads, almost no traffic — are among the most scenic in the province. Stops at local wineries on the return are not optional; they are part of what makes this route worth doing.
Points of interest: Vilanova i la Geltrú, Garraf Natural Park, Subirats, Font-Rubí, Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Olèrdola Monumental Complex, Sitges.
Route 5. Els Ports del Garraf
104 km · 950 m elevation gain · Level: demanding
The main climb here — from Sitges to the Garraf massif — is 5 km at an average of 9%, with sections above 12%. Holm oaks, limestone and the sea widening behind you at every bend. From the summit at around 473 m, the descent is technical and requires focus. This circular route from Vilanova i la Geltrú links the main passes of the area through vineyards, a natural park and scattered heritage sites. Coherent from start to finish, and not easy to forget.
Points of interest: Vilanova i la Geltrú, Sitges, Garraf Massif, Olèrdola archaeological site, Avinyonet del Penedès, Wine Route.
Route 6. Sabadell – Saint Llorenç Savall – Sant Feliu de Codines – Sabadell
51 km · 980 m elevation gain · Level: accessible-intermediate
A compact circular route that leaves Sabadell via the northwest, passes through Castellar del Vallès and reaches Sant Llorenç Savall before the climb to Collet del Castell. The return descends through Gallifa and Sant Feliu de Codines to Caldes de Montbui, known for its Roman thermal heritage. Accessible for cyclists in reasonable shape. A solid day trip from the Barcelona metropolitan area.
Points of interest: Sabadell, Sant Llorenç Savall, Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park, Sant Feliu de Codines, Caldes de Montbui, Font del Lleó.
Route 7. Discovering the Guilleries
101 km · 1.540 m elevation gain · Level: demanding
The Guilleries are one of Catalonia's lesser-known territories — dense forests, rock formations, deep valleys, quiet roads. This circular route from Vic centres on the Pantà de Sau reservoir, where the Romanesque bell tower of Sant Romà de Sau rises from the water. It is one of the most recognisable images of inland Catalonia, and it does not disappoint in person. The route alternates demanding climbs with descents that make the effort feel worthwhile.
Points of interest: Vic, Les Guilleries, Pantà de Sau, Sant Romà de Sau bell tower, slopes of the Montseny.
Route 8. La Pujada de Bellmunt
65,9 km · 1.200 m elevation gain · Level: intermediate-demanding
Short and unforgiving. From Vic, the route crosses the plain past farmhouses and fields before tackling the Port de Bellmunt — the signature climb of the Osona area. At the Bellmunt Sanctuary, the views open up: the Vic plain, the Collsacabra, the Guilleries and, on a clear day, the Pyrenees. The return through rural villages is quiet and unhurried. A route that balances effort and contemplation well.
Points of interest: Vic, Pla de Vic, Bellmunt Sanctuary, Port de Bellmunt, natural landscape of the Osona area.
From the urban climbs of Collserola to the back roads of Garraf, Penedès and the Guilleries — these eight routes cover the cycling breadth of the province. Each one works as a standalone experience and as part of a wider destination offer. The Grand Départ brings the spotlight; the routes give it somewhere to land.
More information on road cycling in the province of Barcelona.