A narrow road with a 15% slope to Turó de l'Home
Turó de l'Home is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.697m (5,567ft) above sea level, located in the province of Barcelona, Spain. It was the site of a Transair Douglas Dakota accident in 1959, resulting in 32 fatalities. The climb is quite challenging, with sections reaching up to 15%.
Where is Turó de l'Home located?
The peak is situated in the autonomous community of Catalonia, in the northeastern part of the country, within the Natural Park of Montseny.
How long is the road to Turó de l'Home?
Situated in the Montseny mountain range, the road to the summit (known as "The Mountain of Man" in Catalan) is entirely paved but in very poor condition, with potholes and loose gravel. Starting at the paved BV-5119, the ascent is 5.5km (3.41 miles) long. In some parts, it’s extremely narrow, bordered on one side by rocks and on the other by a drop of hundreds of meters. Due to its proximity to Barcelona, the road can get busy on weekends, especially in the summer.
Is the road to Turó de l'Home open?
Access to the summit is typically open all year round, with occasional closures in winter due to dangerous weather conditions. The last 1.3km of the road, starting at a parking lot at Plana Amagada, at 1.680m above sea level, is closed with a barrier for motorized traffic but open for cyclists. However, you will have to carry your bike a short way to reach the very peak of the mountain. Expect high winds, fog, and snow in winter.
Is the road to Turó de l'Home worth it?
The summit hosts a meteorologist observatory and a small bar. It was used as a military base and a weather station in the past, and part of these facilities can still be seen there. The summit offers stunning views of the Mediterranean coastline and the Pyrenees. On clear days, you can make out the Serra de Tramuntana, a mountain range in Mallorca.
What happened on Turó de l'Home in 1959?
The peak gained worldwide attention following the Transair Douglas Dakota accident. This tragic event took place on August 19, 1959, involving a Douglas Dakota aircraft operated by the British airline Transair. The flight, which was not scheduled, was traveling from Barcelona Airport to London-Gatwick Airport when it crashed into the mountain, resulting in 32 fatalities.
Is the road to Turó de l'Home steep?
Dubbed as the Catalan version of Mont Ventoux, the road to the summit is very steep, with uneven gradients in the second half of the climb, reaching a 15% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at the paved BV-5119 road, the elevation gain is 459 meters. The average gradient is 8.34%. Due to its gradient, it’s said to be the only ‘hors catégorie’ mountain pass in Catalonia that doesn’t belong to the Pyrenees. It has been included in very few professional races, notably the Volta a Catalunya.