Route Day 1: From Barcelona to Jaca, a journey through the heart of the Pyrenees.

The first day of this route begins at a familiar strategic point for us, departing from Barcelona: the Porta de Barcelona service area. This convenient and accessible location offers everything you need to prepare for a day on wheels. It's also an ideal meeting point for groups of motorcyclists or car travelers who meet up to begin the adventure together.

With the roar of the engines, we set off and took the highway and motorway toward Montserrat Natural Park. The unmistakable spires of this rock formation, often shrouded in low clouds, welcome us to the natural world, the perfect prelude to what will be a day of intense landscapes, history, and excitement.

From El Bruc, a small town that already begins to present its first curves and changes in altitude. The BP-1101 road becomes our companion, leading us to Manresa, the capital of the Bages region.

We continue inland and head to Cardona, one of the most fascinating towns on the route. Cardona stands proud with its imposing medieval castle, now a National Parador, which dominates the valley from above. This castle is not only an architectural icon but also a place steeped in history, the scene of wars, sieges, and legends. At the foot of the castle lies the Salt Mountain, one of Europe's geological gems. A visit to its mines allows you to discover the depths of this resource that has provided wealth to the town for centuries.

The trail continues toward Solsona, crossing gentle hills covered in forests. Solsona is a medieval town with a historic center that seems frozen in time: cobblestone streets, stone houses, and doorways from centuries past. Here begins a detour that takes us deep into the most authentic nature of Catalonia.

We head towards the Pyrenees, taking the road that leads us through Llosa del Cavall. Both the reservoir and the road are spectacular.
La Llosa del Cavall offers a cinematic setting: the emerald waters, the mountains reflected in the reservoir, and a winding road that seems to float between cliffs and pine forests. This is one of the most enjoyable parts of the journey, especially for driving enthusiasts. The road takes us to Sant Llorenç de Morunys, a charming Pyrenean village that seems to whisper that you're entering a new world, that of the deep and wild Pyrenees.

From here, a festival of mountain curves begins, reminding us of what it means to drive through the heart of the Pyrenees. The route becomes technical, beautiful, and completely absorbing.
We soon reach Coll de Nargó, a mountain pass offering breathtaking panoramic views. The feeling of freedom here is complete: between heaven and earth, the valleys open up at our feet, and the fresh Pyrenean air surrounds us.

We descended the mountain pass feeling like we had enjoyed the curves until we reached Tremp, one of the most important towns in Pallars Jussà. Tremp, although more modern, retains the flavor of a pre-Pyrenean village, with lively squares and a community deeply connected to rural and mountain life.
From Tremp we continue our route north, passing one of the most picturesque spots of the day: the Sant Antoni Reservoir.
This reservoir, which we partially circled, offers us a spectacular viewpoint from which we can observe the immensity of the water and the surrounding mountains. This is a good place for a short break, to breathe deeply and connect with the serenity of the landscape.

We soon reach La Pobla de Segur, another village with a Pyrenean flair. This town is known for its mountain architecture, its history linked to the hydroelectric industry, and as a starting point for numerous hiking and climbing routes. We cross La Pobla without stopping too long, as the road beckons us with its promise of even more intense landscapes.

The next stop is El Pont de Suert, now in Alta Ribagorça, a charming town with a central square where you can still see elderly ladies chatting on benches while the church bells mark the passage of time. This area marks the threshold to the Aragonese Pyrenees, and with it, our journey crosses the autonomous community, entering Aragon.

The transition to Aínsa is as gentle as it is beautiful. The landscapes become a little wilder, the rivers more abundant, and the colors more intense. Aínsa is one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Spain.
Its cobbled main square, surrounded by arcaded houses, and its castle, at the top, make a brief stop a must. Here, history is breathed: the narrow streets, the slate roofs, the craft workshops... Everything invites you to stroll and indulge in the charm of the living Middle Ages.

From Aínsa, we continue toward Sabiñánigo, a more modern town that serves as a communications hub in the Aragonese Pyrenees. Although it lacks the medieval charm of other towns, its location among the mountains and its mountainous character make it an interesting stop on the route. The road on this section alternates between fast sections and more technical sections, ideal for enjoying both the driving and the surroundings.

Finally, we arrived at our final destination of the day:

Jaca, one of the jewels of the Aragonese Pyrenees. Located in the Aragón Valley, Jaca is much more than a simple resting place. Its military citadel is a perfectly preserved star-shaped fortress, and its Romanesque cathedral, one of the first in Spain, is a testament to the important role Jaca played in the history of the Kingdom of Aragon and the Camino de Santiago.
Jaca is also a lively city, with a vibrant atmosphere, terraces packed with travelers, and a gastronomic offering that blends the best of Aragonese cuisine with a Pyrenean touch: trout, lamb, migas (breadcrumbs), cheeses, and, of course, Somontano wines.

After such an intense day, filled with curves, majestic views, and vibrant villages, arriving in Jaca is more than a relief: it's a reward. Here, in the heart of the western Pyrenees, this first day of the route concludes with the satisfaction of having explored some of the most spectacular landscapes in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula.