The Inhumane Climb to Coll de Pradell in Catalonia, with 23% Ramps
Spain, europe
16 km
1,732 m
hard
Year-round
# Coll de Pradell: A Pyrenees Beast Worth the Suffering
If you're looking for a truly brutal climbing experience, Coll de Pradell in Barcelona province is calling your name. Sitting pretty at 1,732m (5,682ft) in the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park, this isn't your average Sunday spin—it's one of Spain's most unforgiving mountain passes.
Starting from the C-16, you're facing a punishing 16 km climb with 1,029 meters of elevation gain and an average gradient of 6.7%. Sounds manageable? Think again. The first 7.5 km ease you in at 5.3% average, but don't get comfortable—there's even a brief descent to mess with your head. Then comes the real deal: after rolling through the village of Vallcebre, the final 6 km ramp up to an eye-watering 10.4% average gradient. The last three kilometers? They're paved in concrete with absolute wall sections hitting 23%—this is where legends are made.
The good news: the entire road is fully paved and in pristine condition. The view? Absolutely spectacular, especially when you catch sight of Pedraforca, that iconic fork-shaped Catalan mountain looming in the distance. Even cooler, there's an abandoned mine near the summit with restored railways and vintage trains available for exploring.
Traffic is refreshingly light, and the pass typically opens from mid-April through November. Fair warning: this climb is simply terrible in the best possible way. Welcome to one of the Pyrenees' most spectacular and savage challenges.
Where is it?
The Inhumane Climb to Coll de Pradell in Catalonia, with 23% Ramps is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 41.0805, -3.7651
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 16 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,732 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 41.0805, -3.7651
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