๐๐ดโโ๏ธ Day 9: The 12 Cols of Christmas ๐
๐Collada de Roques Blanques
๐๏ธ2250 m
๐ดโโ๏ธGravel & MTB
Letโs dive into the headlines of this awe-inspiring climb: 39km climb from Pyrenees Cycling Club, with nearly 2,000m of elevation gain. Yes, itโs a beastโbut one worth taming! ๐
Nestled in the Canigou mountain range, the Collade de Roques Blanques sits high on the watershed dividing the Vallespir and Conflent valleys. This open ridge is a summer grazing spot for livestock, you'll pass the shepherdโs stone hut as you climbโa reminder of the Massif du Canigou's pastoral traditions.
The adventure begins in Prats-de-Mollo, heading toward the thermal baths at La Preste. From here, a right turn onto a tarmac road marked โRรฉserve Naturelleโ signals the start of the real challenge: 16km at an 8% average grade. With wide-open views around every bend and refreshing mountain streams along the way, thereโs plenty to distract you from the burn in your legs. Beyond the Col des Basses, motor vehicles are forbidden in the nature reserve. Itโs just you, the silence of nature, and breathtaking views that stretch up to 60kmโpure bliss!
About 6km from the col, the tarmac yields to dirt. Itโs no Girona champagne gravel up here above 2,000m, but itโs still perfectly rideable on a gravel bike. A gear ratio of 1:1 or lower will make this monster climb far more enjoyable.
At the col, youโll be greeted by the curious Mรฉrens mountain horsesโdonโt be surprised if they take a keen interest in your snacks!
Remember that Pyrenees CC is about all kinds of bike rides for all kinds of people - whilst today's col is a beast, we do have rides from 25km for even beginner cyclists.
๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐๐ฐ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐น๐๐ฏ | Hand-picked gravel bike adventures in the Mediterranean Pyrenees.
๐ก Stay at our 15th-century farmhouse, @clotdenguardia, with bike workshop, pool & hot tub
๐ดโโ
๐๐ดโโ๏ธ Day 7: The 12 Cols of Christmas ๐ - New Year's Eve Special!
On the 7th day, to celebrate New Year's eve, we present our valley's highest road col. This is what cycling dreams are made of- climbing for hours and finishing above the clouds.
Col d'Ares, France
๐๏ธ1500 meters
๐ดโโ๏ธRoad
๐ Col dโAres: The Road Climb ๐ดโโ๏ธ
Earlier in this series, we showcased the gravel variant of Col dโAresโnow itโs time to celebrate the road version, and what a beauty it is! This climb delivers the full Pyrenean-Alpine experience, as you ascend through dramatically shifting landscapes. Starting in dense, shaded forest, youโll pedal higher into open meadows dotted with grazing cattle, the scenery evolving with every turn of the pedals.
From the village of Le Tech, itโs a 20km climb with 998m of elevation gainโa true test for any cyclist. And the reward? At the summit, youโre greeted by a set of breathtaking switchbacks that could easily grace a Tour de France helicopter shot. (Fun fact: this exact route was featured in the 1968 Tour!) The only reason it hasnโt returned is the remoteness of this hidden gem, far from the bustling towns needed for the Tourโs logistical entourage.
The col marks the French-Catalan border, where your adventure can continue into Mollรณ or turn back for an exhilarating 30km descent straight to Pyrenees Cycling Club. Either way, this climb is pure magic, from the first pedal stroke to the last.
๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐๐ฐ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐น๐๐ฏ | Hand-picked cycling adventures in the Mediterranean Pyrenees.
๐ก Stay at our 15th-century farmhouse, @clotdenguardia, with bike workshop, pool & hot tub
๐ดโโ๏ธ Disover breathtaking cols, explore hidden trails, and enjoy authentic off-the-bike experiences.
โ
Fully supported or self-guided tours. Custom tours on demand
๐ Plan your gravel bike escape: www.pyrenees.cc
#adventure #travel #biketour #bike #t
๐๐ดโโ๏ธ Day 6: The 12 Cols of Christmas ๐
Day 6 brings us to a climb that combines rugged terrain with a sense of pure escape. This is where the beauty of the Mediterranean Pyrenees truly shines. Letโs keep the adventure going!
๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฌ, ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ง๐ฒ๐
๐๏ธ830 meters
๐ดโโ๏ธGravel (technical)
๐ Coll dels Horts: A Catalan Gravel Playground ๐ดโโ๏ธ
Todayโs col takes us across the border into Catalunya, to the stunning Coll dels Horts in the Alt Empordร region. Known to locals as "Catalan Switzerland," this gravel rider's paradise is reached via ๐๐จ๐ฅ ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฌโyesterdayโs featured climb.
Picture this: a 9km off-road descent winding through serene forests, leading you to a tranquil lake. Even better? At the base of the descent lies one of our favorite spa hotels, a highlight on our self-guided Volcano Gravel Tour. Itโs the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. You can see both the French border and the Mediterranean Sea from parts of this ride; a great place to make the most of our clear skies and 300 days of sunshine per year.
The descent itself is a riderโs dream. The red bedrock offers superb grip and delivers that oh-so-satisfying crunch beneath your tires. With some steep and technical sections, itโs ideal for gravel enthusiasts seeking a challenge or riders with MTB experience. (Hint: leave the 35mm tires at home for this one ๐).
Ready to explore the untamed beauty of Catalonia? This col is waiting for you.
๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐๐ฐ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐น๐๐ฏ | Hand-picked gravel bike adventures in the Mediterranean Pyrenees.
๐ก Stay at our 15th-century farmhouse, @clotdenguardia, with bike workshop, pool & hot tub
๐ดโโ๏ธ Disover breathtaking cols, explore rugged trails, and enjoy authentic off-the-bike experiences.
โ
Fully supported or self-gui
๐๐ดโโ๏ธ Day 3: The 12 Cols of Christmas ๐
Le Col d'Ares
๐๏ธ1500 meters
๐ดโโ๏ธGravel (road variant to follow, equally awesome!)
Itโs Day 3, and todayโs featured col will take your breath awayโboth from the climb and the stunning views to the Mediterranean from the top! Each pedal stroke brings you closer to experiencing the magic of the Haut Vallespir; the undiscovered gravel paradise. Letโs ride!
Cycling cols are often described as 'legendary', and in the case of Le Col d'Ares this is definitely the right word. First records of the col are from the year 878, and it also played a significant role in the Nine Years Wars in 1691 when the Spanish came to siege Prats de Mollo. More recently, the col was the passage point for more than 100,000 refugees fleeing the Spanish Civil War in 1939.
On the gravel bike you can climb either from the fortified village of Prats de Mollo or via Llamenere- the most southerly village in mainland France. Both on chunky gravel, these climbs are long and with nearly 1000 vertical metres, they are the kind of climbs where you find a rhythym or chat to your mates (and maybe wish you had a 50 tooth cassette!)
When your legs and lungs are begging for a rest, the flatter trails on the ridge are a welcome distraction and the viezs just get better and better as you trace the border, with Catalunya on your left and France on your right.
The 13th century Tour de Mir watch tower with its viewing deck is the perfect place for a snack break (or we can serve your picnic here). From this prominent point on the border you can see two countries and all the 60km to the beach.
You might see a few mushroom pickers or hikers but apart from that you're alone with the wild horses, vultures and breathtaking views.
#gravelbike #roadcycling #tourdefrance #pyrenees #mediterraneanpyrenees #cycling #adventure
๐๐ดโโ๏ธ Day 2: The 12 Cols of Christmas ๐
Col de Llauro
๐๏ธ380 meters
๐ดโโ๏ธRoad and Gravel
Yesterday, we kicked off our celebration of the Mediterranean Pyreneesโ most iconic climbs. Today, weโre unwrapping Col #2โa ride that promises both challenge and breathtaking beauty. Ready to discover your next adventure?
The Col de Llauro from Cรฉret is a perfectly smooth tarmac climb from Cรฉret to the small village of Llauro. At 380 meters altitude it's definitely one of the smaller Pyrenean climbs and is really worth checking out since the easy to moderate gradient means it's suitable for all.
This climb featured in the 2021 Tour de France, hence the new tarmac, and once at the top you have a choice of gravel or road routes to return back to the valley floor.
From the Col de Llauro you can see the Mediterranean, the Spanish border and acres of vineyards below. This is the Vallespir - where the mountains meet the sea and cultures and landscapes mix to create a perfect playground for cyclists
Have you ridden the Col de Llauro? Let us know what you think in the comments
#gravelbike #roadcycling #tourdefrance #pyrenees #mediterraneanpyrenees #cycling #adventure
๐๐ดโโ๏ธ Merry Christmas from Pyrenees Cycling Club! ๐๐
This holiday season, give yourself the gift of adventure. Imagine this: winding gravel trails through the breathtaking Mediterranean Pyrenees, cozy evenings in our farmhouse Mas Clot dโen Guardia, and the satisfaction of conquering new cols.
2025 is just around the corner, and now is the perfect time to plan your next cycling escape. Availability is limited, and the best dates fill up fastโwhy not make your dream ride a reality today?
Treat yourself (or the cyclist in your life) to an experience that combines rugged adventure with unmatched comfort and attention to detail. Your next great ride is waiting!
Fully supported or self-guided gravel adventures are our speciality
๐ Book now and make 2025 unforgettable: www.pyrenees.cc
Merry Christmas, and see you on the trails! ๐
๐ดโโ๏ธ
#gravelbike #adventure #biketours #bikeride #bikepacking #cycling #pyrenees
THE BEST descent to end a fun day on the Cap de Creus - El Port de la Selva. Recently resurfaced too! This one's for those of you who like fast, technical descending โก๏ธ
#cycling #cyclisme #vรฉlo #bikes #biketour #roadcycling
Only 10km from the house ๐
This road winds up the narrow Mondony gorge with its waterfalls and spectacular views.
Who knows this road?
#pyrenees
#pyreneescc
#hautvallespir
#adventure
#gravelbike
#gravelride
#cycling
#cyclisme
#vรฉlo
Beautiful Banyoles lake , near Girona
A great place to end a ride from either the French side or Girona. Have a swim in the lake then eat at @aquariumbanyoles
#gravel
#gravelcycling
#gravelride
#cycling
#bikes
#adventure
#pirinexus
#girona
#banyoles
#pyrenees
#pyreneescc
