The route
BIKE ASCENT TO COLLET DE BARRAQUES
Very demanding route due to the steep slope in a few kilometers and the height where we will pedal in a large part of the circuit. By itself, the climb to Barracas may seem like little for a cyclist, but its physical demands, its spectacular landscapes and the tranquility of the road make it a perfect complement to finish any pedaling through the Ribes Valley.
For those who love challenges and competition, we will be able to compare and rival ourselves thanks to the Open Trail Races App. We will also find all the marked kilometers, with indications of the height where we are and the percentage of slope of the next kilometer. Except in winter, where we can find snow on the last kilometers of the road, any other time of the year is ideal to enjoy the Collet de les Barraques.
We will start the climb to the junction of the N-152, in Planoles itself. There we will find the poster of the profile of the route, with the maximum slopes indicated. The first meters of the route will already indicate the hardness of it, where it will be difficult for us to descend from the 8% slope. Shortly after km1, just after the entrance to the campsite, the road becomes narrower and we enter a fully alpine landscape, linking curves between the black pine forest that surrounds us. Through the cracks where the forest opens, it allows us to see the landscape and assume the unevenness that we are overcoming.
With very constant ramps, after a 180º turn to the left and shortly after leaving km 6 behind, we will find Font Freda on the right, a place where, if we are not very drowned and fighting against the clock, it is worth doing a stop to cool off.
At km8 we will see the Corral Blanc Refuge, where there is a leisure area and where if we stop we will enjoy a good snack to regain strength. Shortly after the refuge we will arrive at the small parking lot, a small esplanade on the side of the road closed by the barrier. To the right of the barrier there is a cemented pass, and we will face the last 500m of ascent, after which we will arrive at Collet de les Barraques, at 1920m above sea level, where the asphalt ends and we it opens up an impressive landscape with the giant Puigmal watching us closely.
The descent will be done by the same road, controlling the speed and watching with the more than probable cow poop and the dry pine needles that fall from the trees.
