The natural border between France and Spain are the Pyrenees.
On the eastern part of the Pyrenees there are several not-so-known passes between Spain (Catalonia) and France. Some of them are Col d’Ares (a serious pass with 1512 mts), Alt de Costoja (crossing to France to the village same named Coustouge), and the last one before getting to the sea is Col de Banyuls, with just 355 mts altitude. This is the most eastern pass in the Pyrenees.
On the south (catalan) side, the road to Col de Banyuls is very narrow and solitaire, even hard to find. The starting point is at Espolla, and from that point there are 9,25 km at about 3% average gradient.
But with some short stretches at 14%.
On the north (french) side, things are more difficult because there is a very steep section with 2 km at 11%. Really challenging!
The views to the french riviera from the top of Banyuls are stunning. On top of the climb there is a small monument dedicated to the catalan people exiliated to France after the Civil war in 1936.
A pretty unknown climb in the Pyrenees that you cannot miss!
In out private guided tours you can discover Col de Banyuls in a beautiful loop that we usually do starting at Peralada. We climb Col de Banyuls and then, once in Spain, we climb to the impressive Monestir de Sant Pere de Rodes. What a stage!
