Roundtrip from Barcelona visiting Mazinger Z
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RouteXpert Jordi honrubia (RouteXpert)
Last edit: 03-06-2025
Route Summary The route is about 225 Km long, which we will drive along perfect roads, enjoying its asphalt, even more appealing in the spring and summer due to its landscapes, forests and vineyard areas.
I rate this route with 4 stars because, apart from seeing and passing through unique places as the Monastery of Santas Creus, we will be able to see, be and take a picture of the Mazinger Z statue. Almost every biker has been or wants to do it for a pleasant memory!
Furthermore, our route has a delightful midday meal stop at the Els Noguers restaurant.
Eventually, we'll use a short stretch of motorway to return to Barcelona.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
6h 29m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
224.28 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review Starting from a fuel station just outside Barcelona you will soon leave the busy city life behind and within 15 minutes you’ll pass through the ancient town of Corbera de Llobregat situated in a privileged environment of white pine forests that still preserves elements of its medieval origins. The town has its origin in the year 992, around the Castle of Cervelló, later called Castle of Corbera.
After a short ride, you’ll arrive at the elevated town of Gelida where you can stop to see the landscapes, take some photos and breathe. The Montserrat mountain range can be seen 15km away, the highest peak is Sant Jeroni at 1,236 m.
The roads are twisty with great views as you travel along you’ll start to see vineyards before passing by the town of Sant Sadurni d'Anoia, this town is the centre of production of a famous sparkling wine from Catalonia known as Cava. Many of the vineyards that you pass will be supplying grapes that then become tasty bottles of Cava.
Next comes the small town of Sant Quintí de Mediona stands out among the rest of the Penedès municipalities due to its abundance of water, from numerous springs and from the Mediona stream. These moving currents have historically been used for watering and as a driving force for flours, paper and textile fabric mills.
The Vall de Mediona is a mosaic of crops, vineyards and forests. A smooth terrain in the plain, which gradually rises towards the mountains and the highest point of this route, Collet de la Serra at 813m.
The route continues to twist and turn onto the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Santes Creus. One of the largest and best preserved Cistercian monasteries it is currently possible to visit. It was founded in 1168 under the protection of the monarchs and nobility and it became a centre for spirituality, study and the colonisation of the territory. Monastic life continued here without interruption until 1835. The church with its sober, imposing architecture contains the royal tombs of Peter the Great and James II and his wife Blanche of Anjou.
From here it is just a short ride to the star of the show, Mazinguer Z. The fiberglass statue with arms outstretched reaches a height of over 12m and has become a pilgrimage site for fans of anime across the world. Built in the 80s to guard the entry to the forgotten village of "Mazinger". In the back of one of his legs is a hidden trap door that allows entry and you can climb to the head.
History and origin of the statue:
Mazinger Z is a well-known manga and anime character who became very popular in Spain thanks to his series, which aired in the late 70s. It was rebroadcast in 1993 on Telecinco, and in 1997 on Canal 33 (Catalunya).
This series focuses on the fight of the robot Mazinger Z, piloted by Koji Kabuto, against the mad scientist, Doctor Hell.
In 1978, the year the series premiered in our country, construction of the statue began in the Mas del Plata urbanization, next to the town of Cabra de Camp. The objective of this 12-meter-high Mazinger Z statue was to take advantage of its fame to attract families with children to the new development.
That's how it was, in 1979, that Mazinger Z, four stories high, was raised, using materials such as steel and fiberglass, and placed on several concrete bases. It is said that it cost one million pesetas (€6,000).
At first it was thought to put some stairs inside to climb from head to toe and use it as a viewpoint, but this remained a simple idea. (Although, I have to say, that a few years ago, you could see the opening in one of the legs of the statue, where you could see the staircase)
A few years ago the statue of Mazinger Z was in the middle of a pine forest where there was nothing, but on March 6, 2022, the “Plaza de Alfredo Garrido García” (author and singer of the song MAZINGER Z) was inaugurated, restoring the pine forest and protecting the area a little more.
The route has reached its western limit and heads back through the Catalan Pre-Coastal Range, a system of mountain ranges running parallel to the Mediterranean Sea coast, so as you can imagine the roads will be twisty and scenic again.
As you approach the small hamlet of Querol, you’ll see the ruins of Castell de Querol. Located high on top of a large rock close to the river Gaià, the castle of Querol is preserved in ruins only but still offers an imposing image. It was part of the Gaià defensive line built or occupied by Ansulf de Gurb in the second half of the 10th century. The castle was destroyed in 1835 during the First Carline War.
Lunch is next at another small hamlet called Segur, here you can see the ruins of two buildings, the Castle of Seguer and the Chapel of Sant Bartomeu. The castle dates from the 11th century. Originally it was just a defence tower. In the 17th century it was transformed into a residential house. The chapel of Sant Bartomeu rises in the middle of the ruined walls of the castle and due to its location within the enclosure, it is possible to think that it was initially a completely exempt building and that it was later surrounded by the castle. The restaurant here is called Els Noguers Restaurant and they offer a good choice of local food.
After lunch you’ll head into paper making country by first passing the stone built Molí dels Serra paper mill that used the nearby waters of the Riera de Carme for the paper making process. It was built by Capellades papermaker Joan Serra in 1775 and It was in operation until the beginning of the 21st century. Then the town of Capellades, known for the manufacture of paper since the seventeenth century. A paper manufacturer in Capellades (established in 1714) specialised today in producing security paper and is the oldest paper company in Spain. In the town there is also a Museum of Paper (Molí-Museu Paperer) housed in a converted paper mill.
The final thing to look out for on this route isn’t necessarily the most beautiful but it is perhaps the most interesting. It’s the landfill site where a lot of Barcelona’s waste goes! Known as Abocador de Can Mata it is one of the largest landfill sites in Spain. Since 2002, a team of paleontologists have found about 70,000 fossils. Among the most important finds are fossils of primate species found nowhere else. These are ancestral hominoids—the precursors to lesser apes, such as gibbons and siamangs, and to great apes, including orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and us.
A short distance from here and you join the A2 for a 15 minute ride back to the start point.
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Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
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Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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Catalonia
About this region
Catalonia (; Catalan: Catalunya [kətəˈluɲə, kataˈluɲa]; Aranese Occitan: Catalonha [kataˈluɲa]; Spanish: Cataluña [kataˈluɲa]) is an autonomous community in the northeastern corner of Spain, designated as a nationality by its Statute of Autonomy.Catalonia consists of four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. The capital and largest city, Barcelona is the second-most populated municipality in Spain and the fifth-most populous urban area in the European Union. It comprises most of the former Principality of Catalonia (with the remainder Roussillon now part of France's Pyrénées-Orientales). It is bordered by France (Occitanie) and Andorra to the north, the Mediterranean Sea to the east, and the Spanish autonomous communities of Aragon to the west and Valencia to the south. The official languages are Catalan, Spanish, and the Aranese dialect of Occitan.In the late 8th century, various counties across the eastern Pyrenees were established by the Frankish kingdom as a defensive barrier against Muslim invasions. In the 10th century the County of Barcelona became progressively independent. In 1137, Barcelona and the Kingdom of Aragon were united by marriage under the Crown of Aragon. Within the Crown, the Catalan counties adopted a common polity, the Principality of Catalonia, developing its own institutional system, such as Courts, Generalitat and constitutions, becoming the base for the Crown's Mediterranean trade and expansionism. In the later Middle Ages, Catalan literature flourished. In 1469, the king of Aragon and the queen of Castile were married and ruled their realms together, retaining all of their distinct institutions and legislation.
During the Franco-Spanish War (1635–1659), Catalonia revolted (1640–1652) against a large and burdensome presence of the royal army, being briefly proclaimed a republic under French protection, until it was largely reconquered by the Spanish army. By the Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659), the northern parts of Catalonia, mostly the Roussillon, were ceded to France. During the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), the Crown of Aragon sided against the Bourbon Philip V of Spain; following Catalan defeat on 11 September 1714, Philip V imposed a unifying administration across Spain, enacting the Nueva Planta decrees which, like in the other realms of the Crown of Aragon, suppressed the Catalan institutions and rights. This led to the eclipse of Catalan as a language of government and literature, replaced by Spanish. Throughout the 18th century, Catalonia experienced economic growth.
In the 19th century, Catalonia was severely affected by the Napoleonic and Carlist Wars. In the second third of the century, it experienced industrialisation. As wealth from the industrial expansion grew, it saw a cultural renaissance coupled with incipient nationalism while several workers movements appeared. With the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic (1931–1939), the Generalitat was restored as a Catalan autonomous government. After the Spanish Civil War, the Francoist dictatorship enacted repressive measures, abolishing Catalan self-government and banning the official use of the Catalan language. After a period of autarky, from the late 1950s through to the 1970s Catalonia saw rapid economic growth, drawing many workers from across Spain, making Barcelona one of Europe's largest industrial metropolitan areas and turning Catalonia into a major tourist destination. During the Spanish transition to democracy (1975–1982), Catalonia regained self-government and is now one of the most economically dynamic communities of Spain.
Since the 2010s there has been growing support for Catalan independence. On 27 October 2017, the Catalan Parliament unilaterally declared independence following a disputed referendum. The Spanish Senate voted in favour of enforcing direct rule by removing the Catalan government and calling a snap regional election. The Spanish Supreme Court imprisoned seven former ministers of the Catalan government on charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds, while several others—including then-President Carles Puigdemont—fled to other European countries.
Read more on Wikipedia
During the Franco-Spanish War (1635–1659), Catalonia revolted (1640–1652) against a large and burdensome presence of the royal army, being briefly proclaimed a republic under French protection, until it was largely reconquered by the Spanish army. By the Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659), the northern parts of Catalonia, mostly the Roussillon, were ceded to France. During the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), the Crown of Aragon sided against the Bourbon Philip V of Spain; following Catalan defeat on 11 September 1714, Philip V imposed a unifying administration across Spain, enacting the Nueva Planta decrees which, like in the other realms of the Crown of Aragon, suppressed the Catalan institutions and rights. This led to the eclipse of Catalan as a language of government and literature, replaced by Spanish. Throughout the 18th century, Catalonia experienced economic growth.
In the 19th century, Catalonia was severely affected by the Napoleonic and Carlist Wars. In the second third of the century, it experienced industrialisation. As wealth from the industrial expansion grew, it saw a cultural renaissance coupled with incipient nationalism while several workers movements appeared. With the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic (1931–1939), the Generalitat was restored as a Catalan autonomous government. After the Spanish Civil War, the Francoist dictatorship enacted repressive measures, abolishing Catalan self-government and banning the official use of the Catalan language. After a period of autarky, from the late 1950s through to the 1970s Catalonia saw rapid economic growth, drawing many workers from across Spain, making Barcelona one of Europe's largest industrial metropolitan areas and turning Catalonia into a major tourist destination. During the Spanish transition to democracy (1975–1982), Catalonia regained self-government and is now one of the most economically dynamic communities of Spain.
Since the 2010s there has been growing support for Catalan independence. On 27 October 2017, the Catalan Parliament unilaterally declared independence following a disputed referendum. The Spanish Senate voted in favour of enforcing direct rule by removing the Catalan government and calling a snap regional election. The Spanish Supreme Court imprisoned seven former ministers of the Catalan government on charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds, while several others—including then-President Carles Puigdemont—fled to other European countries.
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Route Collections in this region 7 day roundtrip from Girona to Catalonia Andorra and the Pyrenees
The Pyrenees stretch for more than 450 kilometers from the Bay of Biscay in the west to the Cap de Creus on the Mediterranean. The mountain range, with peaks of more than 3000 meters, forms a natural barrier that cuts off the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of Europe. The main ridge of the mountain range also largely forms the state border between France and Spain, while the microstate Andorra lies between these two countries.
Bordering the Pyrenees is Catalonia, the hinterland of Barcelona. No wonder many new models of motorcycles are introduced to the press in Catalonia. There are many great ways to test the new models there. An additional advantage is that it is very quiet! You would almost say 'too quiet' because there is a danger that at some point you will use the entire width of the road, under the guise of 'you won't see oncoming traffic here'.... But let's keep it safe and stay on the right side of the center line.
These seven routes of this collection pass through these beautiful areas. Each and every one of these routes where especially the sides of the tires have a hard time. Whether on the gentle slopes in Catalonia or on the balcony roads in the Gorges in the French Pyrenees, make sure they're excited, because you can bet it's going to be exciting!
A few sights are discussed in the review for each route. These often tell something about the history of the area in which you drive. Fun facts, quite educational. There are also places where you can refuel and where you can drink coffee and/or have lunch. You are completely free to visit these places, you can of course also determine your own points of interest.
But the main thing you probably traveled to this area for is simply driving. And as mentioned above, you are in a true motorcycle paradise where the steering is fantastic!
Each route ends at a hotel. It is of course not an obligation to use these hotels, you can always find another place to stay in the area, that decision is up to you. My experience, however, is that they are all simple but good hotels for a very reasonable price. They are known and can be booked at booking.com.
The routes of these collections:
R01 - Girona to Sant Julia de Loria, 269km
R02 - Sant Julia de Loria to Pierrefitte Nestalas, 290km
R03 - Pierrefitte Nestalas to Barbastro, 291km
R04 - Barbastro to Puig Reig, 266km
R05 - Puig Reig to Figueres, 268km
R06 - Figueres to Quillan, 243km
R07 - Quillan to Gironam, 286km
Have fun driving these routes!
Bordering the Pyrenees is Catalonia, the hinterland of Barcelona. No wonder many new models of motorcycles are introduced to the press in Catalonia. There are many great ways to test the new models there. An additional advantage is that it is very quiet! You would almost say 'too quiet' because there is a danger that at some point you will use the entire width of the road, under the guise of 'you won't see oncoming traffic here'.... But let's keep it safe and stay on the right side of the center line.
These seven routes of this collection pass through these beautiful areas. Each and every one of these routes where especially the sides of the tires have a hard time. Whether on the gentle slopes in Catalonia or on the balcony roads in the Gorges in the French Pyrenees, make sure they're excited, because you can bet it's going to be exciting!
A few sights are discussed in the review for each route. These often tell something about the history of the area in which you drive. Fun facts, quite educational. There are also places where you can refuel and where you can drink coffee and/or have lunch. You are completely free to visit these places, you can of course also determine your own points of interest.
But the main thing you probably traveled to this area for is simply driving. And as mentioned above, you are in a true motorcycle paradise where the steering is fantastic!
Each route ends at a hotel. It is of course not an obligation to use these hotels, you can always find another place to stay in the area, that decision is up to you. My experience, however, is that they are all simple but good hotels for a very reasonable price. They are known and can be booked at booking.com.
The routes of these collections:
R01 - Girona to Sant Julia de Loria, 269km
R02 - Sant Julia de Loria to Pierrefitte Nestalas, 290km
R03 - Pierrefitte Nestalas to Barbastro, 291km
R04 - Barbastro to Puig Reig, 266km
R05 - Puig Reig to Figueres, 268km
R06 - Figueres to Quillan, 243km
R07 - Quillan to Gironam, 286km
Have fun driving these routes!
View Route Collection
Ten Day Roadtrip from Spain to Portugal
This route collection describes a 10-day Road trip in the north of Spain and Portugal, a true paradise for motorcycling.
You drive over beautiful mountain ridges and through beautiful valleys. Along the way you drive through beautiful villages and countless nature reserves, great passes with countless curves, tunnels cut out of the mountains and azure blue reservoirs. The roads are fair to good, sometimes unpaved.
What you get to see along the way;
Spanish Pyrenees
Parc Naturel del Cadi-Moixero
Serra del Cadí
Serra de Moixeró
Pedraforca
Serra del Monsec
Collada de Clarà
Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido
Collados del Asón Natural Park.
Parque natural Saja-Besaya
Parque natural de Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente Cobre
Parque natural de la Montana de Riano y Mampodre
Picos de Europa
El Parque regional Montaña de Riaño y Mampodre
El Parque natural de Redes
The Sierra de la Culebra
Parque natural Montesinho
Along the routes there are more than enough nice places to stop for a short or longer period, these are described in the review and with a waypoint and POI included in the routes.
Have fun reading and planning your next motorcycle vacation.
If you have ridden these routes I would like to hear your feedback.
You drive over beautiful mountain ridges and through beautiful valleys. Along the way you drive through beautiful villages and countless nature reserves, great passes with countless curves, tunnels cut out of the mountains and azure blue reservoirs. The roads are fair to good, sometimes unpaved.
What you get to see along the way;
Spanish Pyrenees
Parc Naturel del Cadi-Moixero
Serra del Cadí
Serra de Moixeró
Pedraforca
Serra del Monsec
Collada de Clarà
Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido
Collados del Asón Natural Park.
Parque natural Saja-Besaya
Parque natural de Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente Cobre
Parque natural de la Montana de Riano y Mampodre
Picos de Europa
El Parque regional Montaña de Riaño y Mampodre
El Parque natural de Redes
The Sierra de la Culebra
Parque natural Montesinho
Along the routes there are more than enough nice places to stop for a short or longer period, these are described in the review and with a waypoint and POI included in the routes.
Have fun reading and planning your next motorcycle vacation.
If you have ridden these routes I would like to hear your feedback.
View Route Collection