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

L'Escala, Catalonia, SpainMixed

Route contributed by Marcus · Created from a ride on Wednesday 4th September 2024

92 km
Distance
637 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Mixed
Surface
Download GPXMap
On the road: L'Escala to Argelès-sur-Mer over the Col de Banyuls

Elevation profile

Total ascent
637 m
Distance
92 km
0100200300400m0 km2040608092 km338 m · highest, at 61.8 kmStartFinish

Route overview

This ride suits cyclists prepared for a medium distance with moderate climbing, including some gravel sections.

A 91.5 km route from L'Escala, Spain to Argelès-sur-Mer, France, climbing 774 m over Col de Banyuls.

This point-to-point route starts at L'Escala in Catalonia and runs 91.5 km to Argelès-sur-Mer in France, crossing from Spain to France after about 47 km near Rabós. The road surface is mostly paved (79%), with 18% gravel or unpaved. The route includes 29.2 km of minor roads, 21.8 km of main roads (22 km without cycle lanes), 12.5 km of tracks, and smaller sections of quiet streets, paths, and cycle lanes. The first half of the ride gains about 35% of the total 774 m elevation, with climbing scattered in several segments. Notable climbs include a 3.2 km section starting near 46.7 km gaining 118 m at an average 3.7% gradient, followed by climbs of 1.8 km and 2.7 km reaching up to 341 m altitude. The route's highest point is at 59.2 km. Descents include a longest stretch of 5.3 km starting at 61.7 km. Starting in L'Escala, riders will pass through places such as Sant Pere Pescador (12.2 km), Castelló d'Empúries (19.5 km), and Banyuls-sur-Mer (70 km). Cafés, bakeries, and shops are available early on and near Banyuls-sur-Mer towards the end, but there is a 24.5 km stretch without café, shop, or water between 41.7 and 66.2 km. Bailout points include Vilajuïga at 38.4 km and railway stations at Banyuls-sur-Mer and Collioure. The route follows named roads like Carretera del Coll de Banyuls for 8 km and Route du Col de Banyuls for 6.1 km near the climb.

Highlights

  • Col de Banyuls climb at 46.7-59.2 km
  • Banyuls-sur-Mer at 70 km
  • Longest descent 5.3 km from 61.7 km
  • Passing Sant Pere Pescador at 12.2 km

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed· crosses into France

  1. Sant Martí d'Empúries 3.1 km
  2. Cinc Claus 3.7 km
  3. l'Armentera 8.4 km
  4. Saldet 8.4 km
  5. Sant Pere Pescador 12.2 km
  6. Castelló d'Empúries 19.5 km
  7. Empuriabrava 26.2 km
  8. les Torroelles 31.5 km
  9. Palau-saverdera 33.4 km
  10. Pau 35.9 km
  11. Vilajuïga 38.1 km
  12. Garriguella 41.4 km
  13. Delfià 44.5 km
  14. Rabós 47.1 km
  15. Espolla 50.2 km
  16. els Vilars 50.9 km
  17. Mas de Vallàuria 63 km
  18. Mas Atxer 63.2 km
  19. Mas Parer 63.3 km
  20. Mas Perotet 64.1 km
  21. Mas Reig 66.4 km
  22. Banyuls-sur-Mer 70 km
  23. La Guinelle 72.6 km
  24. Cosprons 72.8 km
  25. Puig de la Grange 75.9 km
  26. Port-Vendres 77.4 km
  27. Les Batteries 78.1 km
  28. Collioure 79.5 km
  29. Le Racou 83.3 km
  30. Cerigue Haute 85.5 km
  31. Argelès-sur-Mer 86 km
  32. Argelès Village 86 km
  33. Argelès-Plage 86.7 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—46.7 km3.2 km118 m3.7 %6.4 %194 m
—52.3 km1.8 km52 m2.9 %4.5 %203 m
—56.5 km2.7 km121 m4.4 %8 %341 m
—73.8 km1.4 km58 m4.3 %6.9 %65 m

High point 341 m at 59.2 km; low point 0 m.

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
34% minor road · 25% main road · 14% track · 10% quiet street · 1% unmapped
Main roads
22 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
14.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Cycle paths
8 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
Main roads used
Carretera del Coll de Banyuls (8 km), Route du Col de Banyuls (6 km), D 114 (6 km), GIV-6216 (4 km)
Surface
79% paved · 18% gravel or unpaved
Gradient
16% climbing · 14% descending · 70% flat
Steep sections
2.3 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 7.2% at 60.4 km
Longest descent
5.3 km from 61.7 km, dropping 288 m

Along the way

Within a few hundred metres of the track, from OpenStreetMap. Opening hours change — treat this as where to look, not a promise.

Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 25 km, from 42 km to 66 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 0 kmFarmàcia Eduard Massaguer Taberner · pharmacy · 200 m off route
  2. 0.2 kmSant Pau · bakery · 120 m off route
  3. 1.1 kmLidl · supermarket · 60 m off route
  4. 8.1 kmSancho · bakery · 40 m off route
  5. 11.7 kmMercat · market · 80 m off route
  6. 12.1 kmCa la Teresa · restaurant · 60 m off route
  7. 16.1 kmFast food · 350 m off route
  8. 24.8 kmAMS Restaurant · restaurant · on the route
  9. 25.9 kmMontserrat · supermarket · 80 m off route
  10. 28.8 kmLa Llar · restaurant · 60 m off route
  11. 35.5 kmEstació de Servei Pau · petrol station · 40 m off route
  12. 38.3 kmBar Tal i qual · café · 50 m off route
  13. 66.6 kmDrinking water · on the route
  14. 70.5 kmToilets · on the route
  15. 71.4 kmLe Fournil d'Emile · bakery · 40 m off route
  16. 76.9 kmPharmacie de la Côte Vermeille · pharmacy · 40 m off route
  17. 79 kmDrinking water · 140 m off route
  18. 79.3 kmXtrem Bike Location Azano · bike rental · 40 m off route

Need to bail out?

  • 38.4 km — Vilajuïga (halt), 260 m off route
  • 68 km — Banyuls-sur-Mer (station), 290 m off route
  • 80.2 km — Collioure (station), 110 m off route

Whether bikes are carried depends on the service — check before relying on it.

Worth a stop

  • 2.1 km — Ruïnes de Santa Magdalena (ruins)
  • 26.2 km — Los Barkitos d'Empuriabrava (attraction)
  • 41.2 km — Can Trobat (attraction)
  • 50.6 km — Mirador del Ras (picnic site)
  • 58.5 km — Coll de Banyuls. (viewpoint)
  • 66.1 km — Square Jean Ferrer (picnic site)

At the start

  • Sant Pau · bakery · 160 m
  • Döner kebab l'Escala · fast food · 40 m
  • Medusa · café · 210 m
  • Eo · café · 210 m
  • El senat · restaurant · 60 m

At the finish

  • Lidl · supermarket · 460 m
  • Argelès Vélos & Trottinettes · bike rental · 430 m
  • Ma Coop · supermarket · 800 m
  • Pharmacie centrale · pharmacy · 780 m

Stay after this ride

  • Auberge du Bon Vivant · hotel · 10 m from the finish
  • Le Lagon · campsite · 160 m from the finish
  • Hôtel Bleu Azur · hotel · 760 m from the finish
  • Camping de Pujol · campsite · 710 m from the finish
  • Camping de l'Europe · campsite · 770 m from the finish

Practical information

Surface
Mixed
Route shape
Point to point
Riding time
5–7 hours riding
Season
September with temperatures around 23°C.
Best months
Apr to Oct — daily highs of 18–29 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • Longest 24.5 km stretch with no café, shop or water from 41.7 km to 66.2 km
  • 22 km on main roads without cycle lanes
  • 14.5 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more
  • 18% gravel or unpaved surface

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

11 photographs from the road

Stage of