Introduction
You start and finish travelling through the Empordà plain. First, however, you cross the massif of Cap de Creus where it joins with the Albera massif, heading towards Llançà. Then you take in a beautiful stretch of the Costa Brava, with gentle mountain passes, followed by the Costa Vermella, to Banyuls. You return to the plain once again, crossing the Serra de l'Albera by the steep inclines of the Coll de Banyuls.
A rugged coastline, with vineyards and pine forests by the sea; the Pyrenees, which also descend to the sea; endless scrubland to the top of the ridges, ancient hillsides terraced with red stones, olive groves, cork oaks and, finally, the agricultural plain. And then, tranquillity.
We recommend the Local Natura App to do this route. Download it for free here:
Apple store Google Play
-
TypologyAnti-clockwise circular
-
DifficultyMedian
-
Duration5 hours 25 minutes
-
Slope1390.00 meters
-
Distance94.00 km
-
ThemeLandscaping
-
ActivityBy bike
-
Rating
Slope graph
Tips
- On the fastest main roads, the kerbs are reasonably good, traffic is fairly heavy and even more so in summer.
- You should be fit and especially so if, at Banyuls, you choose the option to go towards Collioure.
- Stop to gather your strength before climbing the Coll de Banyuls.
- Attention! After Colera, you leave the N-260 to climb the Coll dels Frares towards Portbou and don’t have to go through the tunnels. It's worth it.
- The climb to the Coll de Banyuls is along a road which is in good condition but is narrow, without lines or kerbs. Final inclines of 22%.
- On the descent of the Coll de Banyuls to Espolla there are 5 cattle grids (these are iron bars set into the ground, visible or covered with steel plates). They are indicated with a warning sign. There are some sections with slopes of 10%.
- After the first descent of the Coll de Banyuls, at the first ford of a stream you cross, the concrete road surface is in poor condition. The asphalt on the rest is fine.
- After Espolla, don’t be over confident, despite entering the Empordà plain towards Roses, it is long and there are often deceptive flat sections and small undulations.
