Volta a Catalunya 2026: Brutal Route with 20,000m of Climbing Revealed
- The 2026 Volta a Catalunya promises a brutal test for climbers, with organizers unveiling a route featuring three summit finishes and over 20,000 meters of climbing throughout the...
- The race will once again begin and end with circuits around Sant Feliu de Guíxols, marking the sixth consecutive year the coastal town has hosted the start.
- The opening stage, a 172.7-kilometer loop around Sant Feliu de Guíxols, presents a relatively flat profile, favoring sprinters.
The 2026 Volta a Catalunya promises a brutal test for climbers, with organizers unveiling a route featuring three summit finishes and over 20,000 meters of climbing throughout the week-long race, beginning and concluding .
The race will once again begin and end with circuits around Sant Feliu de Guíxols, marking the sixth consecutive year the coastal town has hosted the start. The finale will also be familiar, with multiple ascents of the Alt de Montjuïc in Barcelona, a staple of the race for over a decade.
Stage 1: A Sprinter’s Opportunity
The opening stage, a 172.7-kilometer loop around Sant Feliu de Guíxols, presents a relatively flat profile, favoring sprinters. While the route includes the category 3 climb of Alt de Romanyà early on and the first category Alt de Sant Hilari mid-race, a mostly flat final half suggests a bunch sprint finish. Key points along the route include an intermediate sprint at Salt (km. 36), and further sprints at Arbucies (km. 86.3) and Hostalric (km. 102.7).
Stages 2 & 3: Transition and Coastal Racing
Stage 2, stretching 167.4 kilometers from Figueres to Banyoles, reverses the direction of last year’s stage. The route features the category 3 climb of Alt del Purgatori early on (km. 18.3), but is otherwise considered a relatively flat stage, with intermediate sprints at Perelada (km. 60.9), Besalú (km. 110.5), and Olot (km. 133.9) setting the stage for another potential sprint finish on the Passeig de Mossèn Constans in Banyoles.
Stage 3 takes the peloton along the Costa Daurada, beginning in Mont-roig del Camp and ending in Vila-seca over 159.4 kilometers. This stage features the category 1 climb of Alt de la Mussara and the category 2 Coll de Capafons, followed by the category 3 Coll Roig closer to the finish. Intermediate sprints are scheduled for Cornudella de Montsant (km. 66.8) and Reus (km. 144.7).
The Mountain Challenge Begins: Stages 4, 5 & 6
The real climbing begins with Stage 4, a 173-kilometer trek from Mataró to Vallter. This stage features a challenging summit finish at Vallter (2,100 meters), preceded by the category 3 Coll de Parpers and category 2 Alt de Sant Feliu de Codines. Intermediate sprints are located in Granollers (km. 19) and Olost (km. 90.6), with another in Sant Joan de les Abadesses (km. 136.6) before the final ascent. With nearly 4,000 meters of climbing, this stage will be a crucial test for general classification contenders.
Stage 5, from La Seu d’Urgell to La Molina/Coll de Pal (155.3km), promises even more grueling climbing, totaling 4,500 meters across five major climbs. The route includes the category 1 climbs of Port Colldornat, Coll de Fumanya, and Collada Sobirana, alongside the category 2 Coll de Josa, and culminates in a punishing ascent to the Coll de Pal (HC). An intermediate sprint is scheduled for Bagà (km. 135.1).
Stage 6, a 158.2-kilometer ride from Berga to Queralt, replicates a route previously tackled in 2024, where Tadej Pogačar delivered a dominant solo performance. The stage features the category 3 Coll de la Batallola, the HC Coll de Pradell, and the category 1 Malanyeu Collada de Sant Isidre before the final climb to Queralt. Intermediate sprints are planned for Pedraforca (km. 108.9) and Canyet Berga (km. 152.4).
A Familiar Finale: Stage 7 in Barcelona
The 2026 Volta a Catalunya will conclude with a 95.1-kilometer circuit race in Barcelona. This final stage features seven ascents of the Alt del Castell de Montjuïc, one more than in previous editions, promising a challenging and dynamic finish. The stage includes intermediate sprints in Viladecans (km. 13.7) and Castelldefels (km. 17.4), and another in Barcelona (km. 48) before the repeated climbs of Montjuïc.
The route, with its combination of flat stages, challenging climbs, and familiar circuits, sets the stage for a compelling edition of the Volta a Catalunya, attracting top climbers like Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, João Almeida, and Enric Mas.