From Montblanc to Arbeca and the magical March in Aitona
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert b0hd1
Last edit: 23-03-2022
Route Summary Route indicated for experienced bikers due to its secondary roads and duration of it.
Between route points 9 and 12, the route runs for more than 3 kilometers on gravel.
And Between point 10 and 11, tomtom does not identify the road.
5 stars for its roads, its views, the visits to the beautiful towns and its fantastic food.
Share this route 
Verdict
Duration
4h 36m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
149.57 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review The municipality of Montblanc, capital of the Conca de Barberà region, has a privileged location. An hour's drive from Barcelona and half an hour from the Costa Daurada coastline, it is in a rural setting, the center of the Cistercian Route and the gateway to the Prades Mountains natural area.
Montblanc includes small towns that offer opportunities to discover that the south of Catalonia is full of natural and scenic attractions.
A visit to Montblanc should begin at the Tourist Office, the starting point for the wide variety of guided tours on offer. It is located in the old modernist winery. In this Wine Cathedral, the work of Cèsar Martinell (a disciple of Gaudí), you can obtain essential information about the town and the neighboring territory and, at the same time, enjoy the wines of the DO Conca de Barberà.
With the help of the tourist map and urban tourist signs, you can take a tour of one of the Villas with Character recognized by the Catalan Tourism Agency.
The Pont Vell (Old Bridge), the old hospital of Santa Magdalena and the portal of Sant Antoni are the three monumental elements that have given access to the walled enclosure for centuries. Entering the cloister of the old hospital transports you to a pleasant sensation of calm and peace.
Walking along Calle Mayor you come to Calle de la Plebania, with stairs and a couple of Gothic arches. Just behind is the church of Santa Maria, the spectacular Cathedral of La Muntanya and, at its feet, the pla de Santa Bàrbara, the mound that gave Montblanc its name (bare mountain, without vegetation) and from where you can enjoy a magnificent Panoramic view of the town and the region.
You have to go down to the Plaza Mayor, full of details that can entertain you for a long time, and then continue towards the Sant Jordi portal, where according to legend the fight between the knight and the dragon took place. For this reason, Medieval Week is celebrated in April, the oldest historical re-enactment festival in Catalonia.
From here there are three options depending on the time and the moment.
Leaving to the right, you can return to the starting point following the perimeter of the wall.
Turning left, you will find the old convent of Sant Francesc, where tourist events are held (Brickània, the Lego festival, in June; Terrània, the ceramics festival in September; and Clickània, the Playmobil festival in October) .
From here there is still a walk along a section of Calle Mayor, the church of Sant Miquel and a little further on the old medieval Jewish quarter of which a unique street has been preserved.
And climb the wall? From this point, following the inner part, you reach the beginning of the section that can be visited. You can climb to the top of two towers and go through the roundabout. In the months of July and August the visit can be made without a guide on weekdays. And all year round there is a guided tour on Saturday, Sunday and holidays, a highly recommended experience to get to know Montblanc better and end up paying attention to the small details.
AITONA AND HER FLOWERS
Aitona is a small town in the Segrià region, in Catalonia, famous for the flowering of its fruit trees. This colorful show that marks the arrival of spring is witnessed by hundreds of tourists who travel from different parts of the country. The fields of flowers that give so much life to the season are a true wonder that, a true lover of travel, cannot be missed.
Although flowering is the star moment of the year, Aitona is a town to enjoy in any season. Spring is the time when the landscape turns pink thanks to the flowers of the peach tree; during the summer, fruit harvest time, the landscape is flooded with an intense green; Autumn is another magical moment in which ocher color abounds; In winter, on the other hand, the Lleida fog whitens all the fields, giving them a special air.
Aitona is located in the Segrià region, near the city of Lleida. Although in different areas of Catalonia it is possible to find plantations of peach trees and other fruit trees, Aitona, Torres de Segre and Benisanet are the towns with the largest extensions of these sweet fruit trees. In fact, due to its flat terrain, its climate and the fertility of the land, this region is special for the cultivation of peach trees. So much so that the population lives mainly from the cultivation of fruit trees (peach and nectarine trees).
ARBECA, FAMOUS FOR ITS OLIVE TREES AND ARBEQUINO OLIVE OIL
In the 18th century, the Duke of Medinaceli, Lord of Arbeca, brought the Arbequina olive variety from Palestine, with which the Garrigues olive oil is produced. The promise of a real de vellón for each olive tree planted promoted its cultivation.
This variety is considered one of the best in the world, both for production and for the quality of the oil. Thus, this municipality takes its name from the small and tasty Arbequina olives, the origin of the area's tasty oil.
The town grows around a promontory of 357 meters of altitude. At the summit are the remains of the old castle of the Dukes of Cardona, which has its origins in an Arab fortress conquered in the middle of the 12th century.
Arbeca has a term with a contrasting landscape. On the one hand, dry land and scrub with olive trees, almond trees, cereals and vineyards. On the other, on the northeast side, land that the Urgell canal has turned into irrigated land, with fruit trees or alfalfa, barley and wheat plantations. The main activity of the town is livestock and agriculture.
Essentials
- Visit the Arbeca cooperative and the mills, to experience the oil extraction process up close, either in the traditional way or in modern facilities, and taste the best oil in the world.
- Take a guided tour of the castle.
- Know the Iberian town of Els Vilars.
- Discover the sources and wells of the term.
Links 
Usage Want to download this route?
You can download the route for free without MyRoute-app account. To do so, open the route and click 'save as'. Want to edit this route?
No problem, start by opening the route. Follow the tutorial and create your personal MyRoute-app account. After registration, your trial starts automatically. 
Disclaimer
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.
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'.
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'.
Nearby routes 
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.
View region
Statistics 
44Amount of RX reviews (Catalonia)
20471Amount of visitors (Catalonia)
2781Amount of downloads (Catalonia)
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