Conquering the wild road to Collade des Roques Blanches
France, europe
24.3 km
2,260 m
hard
Year-round
# Collade des Roques Blanches: A Pyrénées Adventure
Tucked away in the Pyrénées-Orientales, near the Spanish border in Occitania, sits Collade des Roques Blanches—a mountain pass perched at 2,260 meters (7,414 feet). The name's a nod to its Catalan origins, "Collada del Rocas Blancas," which literally means "Pass of the White Rocks." It's nestled within the Réserve Naturelle de Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste, and honestly, it's a spectacular spot.
The climb starts in the charming town of Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste and stretches 24.3 kilometers with a total elevation gain of 1,517 meters—that's an average gradient of 6.2%. Not for the faint of heart, but doable if you come prepared.
The first quarter is pretty forgiving, with grades staying below 7% as you ease into the ascent. You'll roll through the thermal spa town of La Preste-les-Bains, which marks the last outpost of comfort before things get seriously gnarly. After this, expect the road to tighten and deteriorate as you face a brutal 4-kilometer section averaging over 8.5%. It's the kind of stretch that'll test your legs.
Next comes a slightly more merciful 6 kilometers around Col des Besses at a more manageable 5.5%—though you might want to consider switching to a gravel bike here.
The final 6 kilometers? Yeah, that's unpaved. Rough dirt, loose rocks, and sections that'll make road cyclists wince. You'll also tackle Coll des Molles along the way. Expect grades around 7.5% with nasty little pitches hitting 11–12%. Add the altitude into the mix—you're breathing thin air above 2,000 meters—and your lungs will definitely remind you of the effort. But here's the thing: the scenery is absolutely worth it. Just you, stunning landscapes, and the quiet of nature. That's the real reward.
Where is it?
Conquering the wild road to Collade des Roques Blanches is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.5362, 2.1754
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 24.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,260 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 45.5362, 2.1754
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