L'Escala to Argelès-sur-Mer over the Col de Banyuls

Route overview

Suited to riders comfortable with 91.5 km and happy with a moderate 774 m of climbing concentrated in one section.

A 91.5 km point-to-point ride from L'Escala across the Empordà plain and over the Col de Banyuls into France, finishing at Argelès-sur-Mer.

The first half is flat. From L'Escala the route passes Sant Martí d'Empúries and Cinc Claus, then l'Armentera and Sant Pere Pescador at 12.2 km before crossing the plain to Castelló d'Empúries and Empuriabrava, where the low point of 4 m comes at 27.6 km. A string of villages under the hills follows: Palau-saverdera, Pau, Vilajuïga and Garriguella, with only 35% of the day's climbing done by halfway. The road tilts up past Delfià to Rabós, where the first climb begins at 46.7 km, 2.3 km at 3.9%. A second, shorter rise starts at 51.4 km near Espolla, then the main effort: 3 km at 4.3% from 55.4 km, topping out at 344 m at 58.4 km on the Col de Banyuls and the French border. The descent runs past the mas hamlets of Mas Atxer, Mas Parer, Mas Perotet and Mas Reig to Banyuls-sur-Mer at 70 km. Two short coastal climbs of 1.1 km and 1.5 km follow, both around 4%, before Port-Vendres, Collioure and Le Racou lead to Argelès-sur-Mer at 86 km.

Highlights

• Col de Banyuls at 344 m, the high point and border crossing
• Flat opening across the Empordà via Sant Pere Pescador
• Coastal finish through Port-Vendres and Collioure

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Point to point

Riding time

5–7 hours riding

Know before you go

• Crosses from Spain into France at the Col de Banyuls
• No cafés or water points listed after 24.7 km, covering the col and the whole second half
• Short pitches up to 7.9% on the climb to the col

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