El Masnou sits on the Maresme coast, close enough to Barcelona that the seafront cycle path connecting the two is used as much for commuting as for touring — flat, well-paved, and shared with a fair number of pedestrians on weekends.
Inland, the terrain changes fast. The Maresme Mountain Passes route climbs from the coast through the Alella wine appellation to the Coll de la Font de Cera, then on to the Collada de Parpers, before dropping back to the coast further north — a genuine contrast to the flat seafront riding El Masnou is best known for.
The bike park at Premià de Dalt, a short ride inland, has been ranked among Europe's best by international mountain bike media — an unexpected neighbour for a town otherwise defined by its beach promenade.
El Masnou works well as an easy base close to Barcelona: flat coastal spinning most of the week, with the option of a proper climbing day into the Maresme hills whenever legs allow.
