Steep climbs in La Cerdanya (Catalonia)

Map including the main climbs in La Cerdanya

La Cerdanya is a catalan region, close to the border with France, which main city is Puigcerdà.
This is a fantastic ski region, but not so known for the cycling, which is also great.
La Cerdanya is a big valley reaching to Andorra on the main road N260. There are a lot of climbs on both north (french) and south (spanish) sides.

The most popular climb around Puigcerdà is probably Collada de Tosas, the natural link with the rest of Catalonia. This is an amazing 25 km long climb (on both sides) . Volta a Catalunya has included several stage endings at La Molina ski Station (very close to Collada de Tosas and in fact on the way to it), another famous climb in La Cerdanya.

Also starting in Puigcerdà is Col de Puymorens (1915 m), on the way to Col d'Envalira and Andorra. Puymorens is a high road in the Pyrenees, a little busy though, specially on the way to Ax les Thermes!

Talltendre, a climb for die-hard cyclists

Cap de Rec, very interesting (and long) climb

Being in the border with France, it is worth mentioning some nice climbs on the french side, such as Osseja, Puigmal Ski Station or Lac de Builloses.

But let's present a couple of nice (and steep) climbsin La Cerdanya, not-so-known. First one is Talltendre, a true killer-climb with some passes over 18%. No exit road, you have to come back same way you climbed. Total distance of the climb is 7,8 km and the height at the top is 1575 m. See elevation profile attached.

The second interesting climb I want to introduce is Cap de Rec. This is a much longer an higher climb, not so steep though. The road leading to this shelter is the same that the one leading to Aranser Ski station, and then half the climb there is a deviation to Cap de Rec. They are 16,4 km, and the elevation at the top is 1986 meters, very close to 2000.

You noticed that there are plenty of interesting climbs in La Cerdanya valley in Catalonia. Worth a visit!

Volta a Catalunya 2019 professional cycling race

Overall map

From March 25th to March 31st will take place de 99th edition of Volta a Catalunya professional cycling race

Volta a Catalunya was first disputed on 1911, which makes this race the second oldest race in Spain (first is Volta a Tarragona, which now is not a professional race)

The route has plenty of attractions. Every day there is something interesting in the route, being on the sportive side, being on the touristic sid.

And what about the participation? Some of the best cyclists in the world are expected to attend: Alejandro Valverde (world champion), Chris Froome (4 times Tour de France winner), Romain Bardet, Thibaut Pinot (Giro di Lombardia winner), etc.

Stage 1 Calella Calella, 164 km getting to our beloved Montseny mountains. The climbs to Coll Formic and Santa fe del Montseny will be the highlights of the stage.

Stage 1 Calella Calella through montseny mountains

Stage 2 Mataró-Sant Feliu de Guixols, 179 km Sant Feliu de Guixols is one of the nicest towns in Costa Brava. Guaranteed breathtaking views during the stage!

Nice stage by the coast!

Stage 3 Sant Feliu de Guixols-Vallter 2000. 179 km with a very demanding final climb to Vallter 2000, and a couple of previous first category climbs. This could be one of the key stages, and teams should be ready for some cold in the Pyrenees, late March!

Stage 3 Sant Feliu de Guixols Vallter 2000, in the Pyrenees!

Stage 4 Llanars-La Molina, 150 km. Another stage in the Pyrenees including one of our favourite climbs in all the Pyrenees: Coll de la Creueta, amazing landscapes! Arrival to La Molina, already included several times in the Volta route.

Still another stage in the Pyrenees

Stage 5 Puigcerdà Sant Cugat del Valles 180 km. Stage descending from the Pyrenees to Sant Cugat, very close to Barcelona. Collada de Toses will be climbed outside Puigcerdà, at the beginning of the stage.

Arrival to Sant Cugat del Valles, close to Barcelona

Stage 6 Valls Vilaseca 174 km. Arrival to the famous Costa daurada, paradise for cyclists, including towns as Cambrils and Salou.

Stage in south part of Catalonia

Stage 7 Barcelona Barcelona 143 km. Final stage arriving to Barcelona including the steep (but short) climb to Montjuic 8 times! Spectacular ending at the city center.

Arrival to Montjuic, in Barcelona

More information and details here:
http://www.voltacatalunya.cat/ca/home/

La Molina ski station, again in the Volta a Catalunya 2017 route

Purito Rodríguez, winner in 2014 (Picture by Sergi Ros de Mora)

La Molina, one of the most famous Ski stations in Catalonia, will be in 2017 (for the 4^th time in a row) stage ending in Volta a Catalunya Pro race. It will be on 2017 March 22^nd.

So far, La Molina was included in 2014(winner Purito Rodríguez), 2015 (winner Tejay Van Garderen) and 2016(winner Daniel Martin).

Stage arriving to La Molina in 2014 edition

Curiously, just in 2014 edition, the winner at La Molina (Purito Rodríguez) was also the winner of final GC. In 2015, Tejay Van Garderen was not even in top ten, and winner was australian Richie Porte. In 2016, Dan Martin was 3rd, after Nairo Quintana (winner) and Alberto Contador. Anyway, any cyclist fighting for GC shouldn't be far from the lead in 2017...

Stage arriving to La Molina in 2015 edition

Stage arriving to La Molina in 2016 edition

As you can see in joined profiles, usually stage finishing at La Molina is the queen stage of Volta a Catalunya. Being located in Barcelona province, between Barcelona or Girona area and La Cerdanya region. It is not specially steep (see profile below), but it usually comes after several first category climbs, as Collada de Toses, La Creueta or Coll de Coubet.

Profile of La Molina from Das (Cerdanya)