Banyuls-sur-Mer to L'Estartit over the Col de Banyuls

Route overview

Riders comfortable with 96 km but only 642 m of climbing, most of it in one modest 3.6 km ascent early on.

A 96 km point-to-point from Banyuls-sur-Mer across the French-Spanish border at the Col de Banyuls, then over the Empordà plain to l'Estartit.

The route leaves Banyuls-sur-Mer and climbs inland almost at once, passing the hamlets of Mas Reig, Mas Perotet and Mas Parer in the first 5 km. The graded climb proper starts at km 4.9: 3.6 km at 3.4% with a maximum of 10.1%, topping out at 169 m beneath the peaks of Martal (322 m) and Puig del Grec (227 m). The Col de Banyuls viewpoint comes at km 9.5, and the border crossing into Spain sits on this stretch. The high point of the day, 203 m, is reached at km 14.3, with Puig del Migdia (377 m) and Puig Balaguer (368 m) standing off to the sides. The descent runs down to Espolla at km 19, the first place with water and a café since the coast, then on through Mollet de Peralada, Masarac and Cabanes to Figueres at km 36.5. From there the road works south-west across the Empordà, flat and open through el Far d'Empordà, Fortià and Vilamalla, with a short rise of 1.6 km at 3.3% from km 56.8. The last third strings together Garrigàs, Ventalló, Albons and Bellcaire d'Empordà before Torroella de Montgrí at km 84.3. The lowest point, 2 m, comes at km 89.4, just before l'Estartit. 58% of the 642 m of climbing is done in the first half.

Highlights

• Col de Banyuls viewpoint at km 9.5 and the border into Spain
• High point of 203 m at km 14.3
• Espolla at km 19, with the Font del Còrrec
• Flat run across the Empordà to Torroella de Montgrí

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Point to point

Riding time

6–8 hours riding

Season

The single September recording showed 31 °C, so an early start or a cooler month suits the long, exposed second half.

Know before you go

• Border crossing from France into Spain on the Col de Banyuls
• No water or café listed between km 2 and Espolla at km 18.7, over the col
• Nothing listed for food or water after Cabanes at km 29.6
• 31 °C recorded in September

Routes are for inspiration. Roads, surfaces and conditions change — check locally and ride within your limits.