Granollers
Granollers

Stage 3

06/07 Granollers > Les Angles 196 km

Granollers, a city with a population of 65,000 and well known in the Spanish handball scene, is only 10 minutes away from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which regularly hosts the Formula 1 and MotoGP World Championships, and a short distance from Barcelona. Proud of its Porxada, a covered market structure from the 16th century, it will be the starting point for this stage which will head north, towards the border with France. 

Entering the Pyrenees on just the third day of racing is likely to bring new protagonists to the fore, although this stage’s profile is more likely to trigger an attack by a group of strong breakaway riders rather than encouraging the world’s best climbers onto the offensive. Despite 3,950 metres of vertical gain that include the climb up the Col de Toses before the riders leave Spain, the plateaux surrounding Font-Romeu and the climb to Les Angles (1.7km at an average gradient of 7%) are more likely to provide a springboard for a surprise guest.

Foto 1: Serra de Llevant mountain range - Foto 2: Parc de Torras i Villà in Granollers
  • Stage 3 route map
Panoramic view of Caldes de Montbui – Juan Ci shutterstock.com

Wellness and history go hand in hand in this town, which has been a spa city since Roman times and boasts one of the most remarkable heritage sites in the country: its Roman baths, which have been declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest. The Thermalia museum, which is dedicated to thermal bath culture and houses the collection of Manolo Hugué, a friend of Picasso, is also well worth a visit. 

Sant Miquel del Fai, Susanna Ginesta © Barcelona Provincial Council

In the Cingles de Bertí Natural Area, these municipalities share breathtaking landscapes and other heritage. At the heart of the site, Sant Miquel del Fai blends nature and spirituality with its waterfalls and rock-carved monasteries. Sant Feliu is well known for the Cim d’Àligues bird of prey centre and the traditional wheelbarrow run; Centelles for its unique celebrations, such as the Festa del Pi pine tree-centred festivities and the Cau de Bruixes witch-themed festival; and Bigues i Riells for its natural surroundings and the trails in the Parc de les Rieres del Fai.

Balenyà - Barcelona Provincial Council

Known as Els Hostalets after a popular 16th-century hostel, this area boasts shelters from the Civil War and the legacy of its aviation field. Other attractions include the Mare de Déu de l’Ajuda sanctuary and the prehistoric ruins of the Sauva Negra forest.

Santa Eugènia de Berga – Town Council website 3

This village in the heart of the Plana de Vic area boasts a captivating history and cultural heritage. A great example of this is the Santa Eugènia Romanesque church (12th century), which has been declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest. Its surroundings provide the perfect setting for cycling and hiking, with rivers, forests and breathtaking views of the Collsacabra and Les Guilleries mountain ranges, as well as local game-based cuisine.

Vic Cathedral bell tower -©Domènec Fernández-Barcelona Provincial Council

The capital of the Osona region is a welcoming city that is both modern and steeped in tradition. The Sant Pere Basilica, featuring Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical styles, presides over the old town. The Medieval Art Museum boasts one of the best collections of Romanesque and Gothic art in Europe. The Plaça Major, where a lively weekly market is held on Saturdays, and the Roman temple, one of the few fully intact temples from ancient Hispania, are also must-see sites.

Plaça de Fra Bernadí, Manlleu - Barcelona Provincial Council

The city, once steeped in industrial history and textile tradition, has turned this legacy into a tourist attraction. Visitors to the Ter Museum can learn all about the historical uses of water and industry, and the Borgonyà and Rusiñol textile colonies will take you back to this industry’s golden era in Catalonia. A journey to understand the industrial revolution and its impact on the area.

Carnaval de Terra Endins carnival - Carnaval de terra endins carnival

Torelló, located where the Ges and Ter rivers meet, still preserves its Plaça Vella (Old Square), the Rocaprevera sanctuary and the industrial heritage of the Ter. This municipality enjoys a busy schedule of events throughout the year, with the Carnaval de Terra Endins carnival and the Mountain Film Festival as two of its main highlights.

Sant Quirze de Besora - Osona Tourism Authority

Sant Quirze de Besora, located on the bank of the river Ter and surrounded by pre-Pyrenean scenery, invites visitors to explore its rich medieval and industrial past through walks and excursions, on foot or by bike. The camí vora el Ter trail is one of the most famous options.

Montesquiu Castle – ©Josep Cano-Barcelona Provincial Council

The Montesquiu Castle Park, which belongs to Barcelona Provincial Council’s Park Network, is a beautiful natural area featuring forests, trails and panoramic views. At its centre lies a medieval castle that blends history and nature and is the starting point for hiking trails and exploring the local heritage.

Monastery of Santa Maria de Ripoll. © Raimon Casals. PTCBG image archive.

The municipality of Ripoll, capital of Ripollès and cradle of Catalonia, plays a key role in the region’s history and identity. The monastery of Santa Maria de Ripoll was founded by Count Wilfred the Hairy in 879. Some of its notable features are the large 12th-century portal, the two-storey cloister, several counts’ tombs and the necropolis. This county capital is the gateway to two valleys in the Pyrenees: the Ribes and Camprodon valleys.

In a broad valley in the Ripollès region, surrounded by peaks, cliffs and shady forests, lies Campdevànol. One of its most iconic sites is Sant Cristòfol parish church, a Gothic-style building with a 46-metre bell tower that was rebuilt in 1945 following the devastation caused by the Civil War and the earthquake of 1944.

Ribes de Freser. © Ribes de Freser Town Council. PTCBG

Ribes de Freser is an ideal location for mountain activities and connecting with nature. The peaks of Puigmal and Taga are very close by, and Vall de Núria is only one rack railway journey away. 

Vall de Núria rack train - © Núria Fosas. PTCBG image archive.

The train journey from Ribes de Freser to the Vall de Núria mountain resort is an attraction in itself, showcasing breathtaking high-mountain scenery featuring forests, gorges and mountain views. The rack railway travels a total of 12.5 km and ascends over a vertical drop of more than 1,000 metres.
The Vall de Núria mountain resort, with its abundant nature and unique scenery, is located in the Eastern Pyrenees. It presides over one of the highest points in the Ribes Valley and is surrounded by peaks of close to 3,000 metres. 

Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser natural park (Ripollès) - © Eudald Rota. Ripollès CC Archive.

The Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser natural park (designated as a park in 2015), located in the Ripollès region, is renowned for its varied landscapes that support a large and varied range of geological structures, ecosystems, habitats and communities.

Romanesque, Ripollès, Queralbs - © Harold Abellán. PTCBG image archive.

A rich array of examples of Romanesque architecture can be found in every corner of the Ripollès region, providing a unique opportunity to admire one of Europe’s largest collections of this art form: Toses, Pardines, Planoles, Queralbs and Ribes de Freser are some of the small treasures hidden among the mountains.

Alp 2500, La Molina, Masella, mountain resorts, skiing. - © Oriol Molas. PTCBG image archive.

La Molina + Masella (Alp 2500) is the place where you can ski in both the Masella and La Molina resorts at the same time. The two are linked by the Cadí-Moixeró gondola lift on the La Molina side, and the Jumbo Tosa chairlift and Tosa surface lift on the Masella side.

Puigcerdà (Cerdanya). - © Maria Geli – Pilar Planagumà. PTCBG image archive.

Puigcerdà is the capital of Cerdanya. It is tucked away among mountains, forests and meadows, and bathed by the waters of rivers and lakes. In the old quarter of narrow, winding and sloping streets, you can find the Santa Maria church bell tower. Two of the town’s most iconic landmarks are the Puigcerdà lake (dating back to the 13th century) and the Schierbeck park (founded in the late 19th century by the Danish consul, German Schierbeck).