Volta a Catalunya 2026 Route stage 6: Berga - Queralt

Saturday, 28 March – On the penultimate day of the Volta a Catalunya, the riders head from Berga to the Sanctuary of Queralt. It could have been a mere 6-kilometre ride, but instead they opt for a major detour, clocking up 158.2 kilometres and more than 4,000 metres of climbing.

Published on 17 March 2026
Last updated: 28 March 2026 – link to race results added

The riders tackle a replica of last year’s 6th stage, which was cancelled due to strong gusts in the mountains. After a fair bit of to-and-fro talk, a heavily shortened version of the race ended up in the hands of Quinn Simmons.

Two years ago, the Volta a Catalunya als served up a stage from Berga to Queralt. That proved to be the toughest mountain test of the edition. Tadej Pogacar attacked in the final 30 kilometres and soloed to his third of four stage wins that year. The route was very similar to this year’s, though not identical.

As mentioned, this time we get a chance to see the stage that never took place last year. After an opening climb of 5.8 kilometres at 3.8% in the first 20 kilometres and a long false flat, the first official climb appears after just over 50 kilometres. It's the Coll de la Batallola, an irregular 11.7-kilometre ascent averaging 3%, but also featuring a 1-kilometre stretch at 12% not far from the summit.

A long descent brings the riders to the foot of the toughest climb of the day. The Coll de Pradell averages 6.5% over its full 15.1 kilometres. That is demanding in itself, but the second half is particularly brutal, ramping up to 9.3% and including a stretch at 18%. There are still just under 60 kilometres to go at the top.

Midway through the descent comes an uncategorised climb of 3.4 kilometres at 4.5%, and once back in the valley the Collado de San Isidre soon follows. This means 5 kilometres of grinding at 8.4%, with a maximum of 15%. The subsequent descent leads down to the Pantà de la Baells reservoir, after which rolling roads take the riders back to Berga, the start town.

From Berga, the road rises for 5.9 kilometres at an average of 7% to the finish at the Sanctuary of Queralt. Gradients regularly hit double digits before the final few hundred metres ease off.

The first three riders across the line gain 10, 6 and 4 bonus seconds, while the intermediate sprints offer 3, 2 and 1 seconds.

Fancy riding the route yourself? Download GPX 6th stage 2026 Volta a Catalunya.

Another interesting read: results 6th stage 2026 Volta a Catalunya.