Where is Rat Penat?

Okay, picture this: you're in Catalonia, Spain, just southwest of Barcelona, ready to tackle Rat Penat! This bad boy peaks at 593 meters (1,945 feet) and it's nestled in the Garraf Massif, part of the Catalan Coastal Range.

The road? Paved, baby! But don't let that fool you – it's a cyclist's dream and a driver's test. We're talking serious gradients, maxing out at a brutal 23% in sections. The road gets super curvy and steep, so controlling your speed on the hairpin turns on the way down is key. Word to the wise, the last 2km to the very top are pedestrian-only.

Starting from the C-31 road (Les Botigues de Sitges), the climb stretches for 6.2 km (3.8 miles), packing in a whopping 569 meters of elevation gain. That's an average gradient of 9.17%! It's been featured in the Vuelta a España, and locals swear by it for serious interval training.

Avoid this climb when it's dark or wet. Starting near the sea on the Garraf coast, you'll be exposed to the sun so watch out for those high temps in summer.

But is it worth it? Absolutely. You're in the Parc Natural del Garraf, surrounded by rugged beauty, and the coastal views between Castelldefels and Sitges are incredible. Close to the summit, you'll find Palau Novella, Catalonia's first Buddhist monastery. The summit itself is home to a radar dome and weather stations. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!