02 - La Volta al cobert

The "Volta al Cobert" is probably one of the most recommended routes to complete in the middle of summer, during those days when the heat becomes one of the cyclist's greatest enemies. And the fact is that much of its route follows leafy forests or the Merlès stream which, even if timidly, help to combat the higher temperatures.
Berga is the starting point of a circular route that allows you to make different stops. The start is uphill, as if somehow it wanted to remind you that today could be a day to suffer. However, it is only a warm-up, as the route quickly descends towards the Baells reservoir, the first attraction of the day. Crossing the bridge, with water on both sides, makes you doubt whether you are pedaling or rowing, but the road, which begins to climb gently towards Vilada and Borredà, immediately returns you to your habitat. Here, you can already sense that a day of great tranquility awaits you. After passing the first villages, the route advances along the C-26 to a point where we need to be alert and turn off onto the BP-4654, a road that we will follow until we reach Cobert de Puigcercós, a central reference that will mark a turning point in our route. This restaurant isolated from any urban center is a classic meeting point where you can have a coffee or refreshments.

From here, we will continue along a narrower and more irregular road, an old rural track that is now paved but is less comfortable than the one we have followed so far. We will advance for kilometers in a southerly direction, stuck to the stream of Merlès, a magnificent corner full of brooks and where swimming has been regulated by the massive presence of holidaymakers. Once we have passed the crossing that would take us to Prats de Lluçanès or Sagàs, we will continue straight in the direction of Santa Maria de Merlès, a tiny urban center made up of four houses attached to the parish church.

It is true that from here on, the shady areas gradually disappear and the route becomes harder with the hard and short ramps that end when we crown La Guàrdia. Our effort deserves a reward for making a short stop at the Sanctuary, from where we can enjoy wonderful views of the four cardinal points. When we resume the route we can continue to Puig-reig, along a comfortable road where the bends follow each other but we have chosen to take a rural and deserted road that will lead us to the sports area of ​​Gironella. Here we will face the final stretch to Berga to complete a day of contrasts, with an asphalt that at times sticks to the wheels and that exceeds 1000 meters of positive gradient.