Once past the highest point, the track begins a long descent with spectacular views over Llançà and the sea. After passing through Valleta and Vilajuïga, we begin the climb by road to the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes (8.8 km +484 m). It is a steady and pleasant climb, now within the Cap de Creus Natural Park, surrounded by olive trees and vineyards and with views of the Empordà and the Golf of Roses. At the top we find the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, which rises imposingly above the mountain of Verdera. Founded in the 9th century and considered one of the jewels of Catalan Romanesque architecture, the complex brings together the three symbols of feudal society: the monastery (faith), the village of Santa Creu de Rodes (work) and the Castell de Sant Salvador de Verdera (defence). From here, the views over the Empordà coast are immense, with Port de la Selva and Cap de Creus in the background.

From the monastery, an unforgettable descent begins, along a road full of curves and sea views that give the sensation that we are about to fall into it. As we lose altitude, the blue of the Mediterranean draws closer until we enter Port de la Selva, a picturesque fishing village surrounded by mountains and bathed by the sea, where the silence of Cap de Creus mingles with the smell of salt and the sound of sails in the harbour, the final stop on this stage.

From Cadaqués, we continue along a narrow, winding road that passes through Portlligat, where Salvador Dalí’s house opens onto the sea, and continues climbing among eroded rocks to the Cap de Creus lighthouse, the easternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula. The lighthouse, located 87 metres above sea level, dominates an environment of wild, mineral beauty: cliffs, hidden coves and rock formations, where Dalí found inspiration in the shapes of the wind and stone. The descent back to Cadaqués is short but spectacular, with the sea always in the background and the wind bringing the smell of salt.

After Cadaqués, the route enters inland tracks that cross the southern slope of the park. The path passes close to Castell de la Guardiola and descends to the coast, following sections of track that alternate between ascents and descents. We pass by iconic coves such as Montjoi and Murtra. After a final short climb, we reach a natural viewpoint offering a privileged view over the entire Golf of Roses. From here we descend towards Roses, which we cross, and head towards the plain along rural paths that enter the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park. The landscape changes completely: the mountains give way to rice fields, lagoons and canals inhabited by water birds such as grey herons and pink flamingos. The last few kilometres are completely flat, ideal for a relaxed ride to Castelló d’Empúries, an ancient county town with an important historical heritage and the gateway to the Empordà plain.

From Sant Pere Pescador, we continue along rural tracks and sections of the Pirinexus route to l’Escala, where the route skirts the coast along the coastal path before heading inland. We cross agricultural areas until we reach the Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park. We pass through Ullà and Torroella de Montgrí, at the foot of the 13th- century castle that crowns the limestone massif. White pine forests and scrubland mingle with rice fields and canals. On both sides of the river, the mosaic of fields and farmhouses reminds us of the agricultural and historical importance of this river plain.

Once we cross the Ter, the route becomes more rural and cultural. We pass through Gualta and Ullastret, an ancient Iberian settlement and one of the best-preserved medieval villages in the area. The next stop is La Bisbal d’Empordà, the regional capital and renowned for its pottery tradition; in the workshops you can still hear the sound of the potter’s wheels and the colour of the tiles fills the streets. The last few kilometres take us to Peratallada, a real medieval treasure with cobbled streets, fortified gateways and golden stone façades, and to Sant Feliu de Boada, a small feudal village surrounded by fields and centuries-old farmhouses. From here, a final stretch through fields and rural roads takes us to Pals, the end of the stage, where the old town and its Romanesque tower bring to a close a day full of history and Empordà authenticity.

We descend from Begur towards Regencós and Palafrugell, the historic centre of the Catalan cork industry, and from here we join the Pirinexus greenway. This section is flat and very pleasant, surrounded by fields and farmhouses, until we reach the sea at Palamós. An old fishing port with a long tradition, its promenade and port retain an authentic atmosphere, where fish is still unloaded early in the morning.

After Palamós, the route follows the coast through Platja d’Aro, S’Agaró and Sant Feliu de Guíxols, where one of the most spectacular roads on the coast begins: known as the route of 365 curves. It is 30 kilometres of pure coastline, with gentle ups and downs, constant curves and viewpoints over hidden coves and pine forests that fall to the sea. Each curve opens up a different view: cliffs, blue waters and the infinite line of the horizon. The stage ends in Tossa de Mar, dominated by its medieval castle and the walls that rise above the sea.

After the hill, we descend along the Camí de Caulés on a long downhill stretch to leave the massif behind and enter the more open lands of Girona. We cross the motorway via an underpass and cycle through fields, farmhouses and small pine and oak forests. The terrain is gentle and flat, ideal for maintaining a steady pace. We pass through Cassà de la Selva and Quart, quiet villages surrounded by farmland, where you can already breathe in the atmosphere of the Girona plain.

In Quart, we join the Carrilet II Girona–Sant Feliu de Guíxols greenway, an old railway line that has been converted into one of the most pleasant cycling routes in the region. The well-maintained path, surrounded by vegetation, runs parallel to the Onyar river between stretches of forest and cultivated meadows. The restored railway bridges and footbridges add a special charm to the route. The entrance to Girona is gradual, with the old town and the cathedral visible from a distance. Once we have parked our bikes, we can stroll through its cobbled streets and discover the Roman remains and the Jewish quarter, one of the best preserved in Europe, and stop off at one of the bike cafés.

From Bonmatí, we join the Carrilet I Greenway, which follows the old railway line that linked Girona with Olot. The well-marked, compacted dirt track winds through charming natural surroundings, crossing bridges and small tunnels that recall the line’s railway past. As we gain altitude, the vegetation becomes more lush and the landscape greener, following the course of the Brugent river and passing through the villages of Sant Feliu de Pallerols and Les Planes d’Hostoles.

The final section takes us towards La Garrotxa, following a gentle slope up to the Coll d’en Bas (589 m), the highest point of the route. From here, a slight descent takes us into Vall d’en Bas, one of the most fertile and beautiful agricultural areas in the region. Green fields, scattered farmhouses, forests and charming villages, and the outline of more than forty volcanic cones herald our arrival in Sant Esteve d’en Bas, the end of the stage and the entrance to the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone.

After reaching the top, we descend a few kilometres down the other side to a turn-off on the left that leads us along a track to Sant Julià de Cabrera. We enter the Collsacabra Natural Area, a place of striking geology, with steep cliffs and a wealth of biological diversity. The landscape is green and humid, dominated by oak, holm oak and beech forests that cover the area. We return to the road to descend a few kilometres and face a new climb to Coll de Bac, crossing forests typical of the Alta Garrotxa. From the pass, a winding descent takes us to Rupit, one of the most bucolic villages in the country: stone houses, cobbled alleys and a suspension bridge over the river, all surrounded by cliffs and waterfalls that define its beauty.

We leave Rupit on a secondary road that enters the Natural Area of Guilleries-Savassona. The road descends steadily to the Sau reservoir, an iconic reservoir on the Ter river, known for the ruins of the bell tower of the old village that emerge when the water level drops. We cross the dam and continue along a road that circles the reservoir, but is surrounded by dense forests that block the view of the water. We leave the reservoir behind and continue towards Tavèrnoles, where we take a track that, between fields and farmhouses, takes us to Roda de Ter and finally to Vic, the capital of Osona, with its historic porticoed centre as the end point of the stage.

From Viladrau onwards, the most spectacular part of the stage begins. The road enters the Massís del Montseny Natural Park and begins to climb steadily. We climb up to Coll de Bordoriol and then continue towards Coll de Sant Marçal (1,324 m), always surrounded by dense forests of beech, fir and oak. In the highest areas, the light is filtered and the silence is absolute, while in summer the greens are intense and in autumn the forest is filled with golden and reddish tones. From the most open points, you can see the mountains surrounding the massif and the Santa Fe valley.

Once you have passed the highest point, a long and spectacular descent begins. The first few kilometres run through the Santa Fe del Montseny area, between natural tunnels of tall, shady trees. Further down, the road opens up and the bends multiply; it is a fast, fun descent with the asphalt in excellent condition. From several viewpoints you can see the Vallès plain and the coastal mountains in the background. As we lose altitude, the temperature rises and the vegetation changes, giving way to Mediterranean pine and oak forests. A final stretch along a gently sloping track takes us to Sant Celoni, a village with streets steeped in history, Baroque churches and medieval charm, where the stage ends.

After the pass, there is a steep descent to Sant Iscle de Vilalta. Here begins a new demanding climb that leads to the Sender dels Miradors, from where we can already see the sea sparkling on the horizon. The track descends towards the Maresme, through woods and fields, until it reaches Canet de Mar, a coastal town with a rich modernist and seafaring tradition, also known for its craft workshops and the architectural legacy of Domènech i Montaner. We continue along rural paths that cross small streams to Arenys de Munt, where we join the Coll del Pollastre road (267 m). It is a short climb but full of curves and good views over the coast, culminating in a rapid descent to Mataró, the capital of the Maresme, an ancient Roman city and today a lively town with a rich modernist heritage, such as the Nau Gaudí, Antoni Gaudí’s first work.

We cross Mataró and continue towards Argentona, where we leave the coast behind to climb the Serra Litoral again. We climb part of the Coll de Parpers by road and then take a forest track that crosses the massif towards Vallès. The terrain alternates between stretches of scrubland and wooded and open areas, until we begin the descent towards Cardedeu, a town with a rich agricultural and modernist past, where farmhouses and noucentista-style buildings surrounded by fields and banana trees are still preserved. Once on the plain, the landscape becomes rural and agricultural: tracks between cereal fields, streams and farmhouses, with the Riera de Cànoves and Torrent del Pla streams as companions along the way. The last few kilometres are a gradual and gentle climb to L’Ametlla del Vallès, the end of the stage, set among fields and woods, with views of the Vallès plain.

The road remains uneven, with constant ups and downs, until the terrain begins to descend towards the south. We ride parallel to the Santiga stream, between agricultural areas and small forests, and further on we follow a section of the Ripoll river along a signposted cycle path. We pass through Ripollet and Cerdanyola del Vallès, where the landscape already shows the transition between the plain and the mountains. From here, the route enters the Serra de Collserola Natural Park, a veritable green border between the city and the industrial area of the metropolitan area. The track is wide and comfortable, but with demanding ramps that climb up the Collserola mountain.

Once at the top, we join the Passeig de les Aigües, one of the most emblematic spaces for cyclists and walkers in Barcelona. This old service road, now converted into a panoramic route, runs along the slope of Collserola with unique views over the entire city. As we progress, Barcelona spreads out at our feet: the Sagrada Família, the sea and, in the background, the port and Montjuïc mountain with its castle. The final descent, along a gentle, winding road, takes us to Plaça de Karl Marx, where we enter the city via cycle lanes to Plaça Catalunya, the end point of this stage and the end of the Grand Tour de Catalunya gravel route.