Andorra: training hotspot for the pros

Cycling in the Pyrenees. Who wouldn't want that. Beautiful views, classic, rugged climbs. The Pyrenees are famous for the Tour and Vuelta, notorious for its irregular climbs and loved by the pros for its ability to sleep at altitude and train well. Andorra also emphatically positions itself as an ideal location for a training camp. But how good is cycling in Andorra really? After all, there's only one road up and one back down, right? Nothing could be further from the truth. Read our tips for an insane cycling holiday in Andorra here

21 climbs

Where the Alpe d'Huez known for its 21 curves, you have to remember that Andorra has 21 mountain passes you could climb. That's something different from the hills in Limburg! There is an extensive route network in Andorra with numbered, arrowed routes, which also come with useful info. The capital La Vella is the centre of the state. From here you can quickly get to a number of routes.

Route 2 - local favourite

This route is really just the ascent of the Coll d'Ordino. In 8.9 kilometres you bridge a total of 459 altimeters. It is real and wonderful training climb as it is not extremely steep, nowhere does it exceed 8.5% and the climb is very gradual. It is also the prelude to the coll de Casamanya that leads to the centre of the country at over 2700 metres. The Coll d'Ordino also has another side, namely route number 7, which is about as steep.

For cyclists with a bit more experience

The Ordino (or Collet Montaup in the local language) is just a warm-up. ALs you want a bit more of a challenge then route number 9, against the Beixalis, highly recommended. This climb is also not extremely long, which is true of almost all climbs in Andorra. At 8.7 kilometres and almost 600 altimeters, this is a bit more serious. In the end, you end up with an average percentage of 6.8%. That's more serious work. Here you also briefly get above 10%, with a kilometre average at 9.4%. Das different cake. You pass the church of Saint Cristofol d'Anyos, in the hamlet of Anyos. This church dates back to the 12th century, although it was later restored and modified since then. By the way, if you climb the Beixalis from the other side, the maximum percentage is 15.8%! The steepest metres in the entire tax haven.

Roof of the Tour

That Andorra often invests in a Tour finish or a Vuelta finish is obvious. In particular, route 18 to Port d'Envalira is popular, as already 9 times we saw a passage of La Grande Boucle there. It is also a favourite in the Vuelta. Gilbert once again came out on top and good-old Alejandro Valverde also knows this climb quite well. In 2021, Nairo Quintana was first at the top in the Tour.

At 26 kilometres long and containing 1345 altimeters, this is the highest mountain road in the Pyrenees. The length of this climb is the real challenge, because with an average percentage of 5.2% it is no Iseran or Stelvio. Yet you also encounter sections of 7.5% along the way, and that just hurts, you know. This climb has also sometimes been the Roof of the Tour, because of its high altitude.

Even more challenge

Short and sweet. That's how you could describe route number 1 to El Forn. Only 5 kilometres long, with an average ascent of 7.5% where you almost touch 10%, makes this a grim pimple. Again, you will pass beautiful church buildings along the way, where you will probably intentionally light a candle to ask Mary or some other divine figure for help. The beauty of the church of St Miquel de Prats may elude you.

The most beautiful

The climb of the collada de Gallina will be noted with trepidation by many in the route. Rightly so, as from both sides this climb is 12 kilometres long with 8.4% average. From Sant Julia, the climb is even a touch harder and you have to deal with outliers to 14.5%! That's really no walk in the park. But boy what beautiful pictures come out of this. As far as we are concerned, this route 15 can be the number one spot! It is almost a permanent fixture in the Vuelta, where Enric Mas, among others, already came first once. In a word beautiful.

Practical

Andorra is a few hours from Barcelona airport, making it sometimes a bit difficult to reach, compared to other training meccas like Girona. The little state is well equipped for cyclists and you will find many 'bike-friendly' hotels, both in La Vella, and popular spots like La Massana. More info? check the visitandorra.com site!