
Where is Collada de Bracons?
Spain, europe
14.4 km
1,136 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure-seekers, let's talk about Collada de Bracons in Catalonia, Spain! This mountain pass sits way up high at 1,136 meters (that's 3,727 feet!). You'll find it right on the border between Girona and Barcelona provinces, smack-dab in central Catalonia.
The road, known as GIV-5273, stretches for about 14.4 kilometers (almost 9 miles) from Sant Andreu de la Vola to Sant Esteve d'en Bas. But be warned: it's not exactly a smooth ride. The pavement can be a bit rough, and you'll be facing some seriously steep sections – we're talking gradients of up to 14%!
Expect tons of twists and turns as you climb through the Serra dels Llancers mountains, part of the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees. The pass is usually open all year, but keep an eye on the forecast in winter, as snow and ice can lead to temporary closures.
Because this road can be a bit of a beast, they built the Tunel de Bracons to bypass it. This tunnel is a whopping 4.95 kilometers (over 3 miles) long and opened in 2009. It's one of the longest tunnels in Spain, but keep in mind, it's a toll tunnel.
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 14.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,136 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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