Coll de les Torres

Overview

Coll de les Torres is a long, steady category 2 climb that rewards patience over punch. Stretching 17.2 km from a valley floor at 90 m to a 776 m summit, it delivers 686 m of net elevation gain at an average gradient of 3.98%. On paper that average reads gentle, and for long stretches it is — but this is a climb where the length does the damage, not any single wall. The total ascent of 688 m sits just above the net gain, a sign that the road climbs almost continuously without meaningful descents to break the rhythm. Expect a sustained effort measured in tens of minutes rather than a short, sharp test.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature here is consistency. With an average of 3.98% held across 17.2 km, most of the climb hovers in that shallow-to-moderate band that lets you settle into a tempo and hold it. The maximum gradient of 8.46% is the one moment the road bares its teeth — more than double the average, so when it arrives it feels genuinely steep against the surrounding grade. Because total ascent (688 m) barely exceeds net gain (686 m), there are effectively no false flats downhill to recover on. The climb simply keeps rising, occasionally easing back below average to store up before the next pull toward that 8.46% pinch.

Pacing Notes

This is a threshold climb, not a sprint. Given the 17.2 km length, the winning strategy is to ride just under your sustainable ceiling and stay there. Anchor your effort to your FTP and aim to sit slightly below it on the shallow sections, holding a little in reserve for the 8.46% maximum so you don't blow apart when the grade doubles. If you don't know your number, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target. On a 3.98% average, small surges cost more than they return — smooth, even power over 686 m of gain will beat anyone who yo-yos.

Gearing

Because the average is moderate, many riders will spin comfortably in a compact setup for most of the 17.2 km. A 34×32 lowest ratio is plenty for the shallow majority and lets you keep a high cadence without over-gearing. The consideration is that 8.46% maximum arriving deep into a long climb, when your legs are already loaded from the sustained effort. If you climb on the heavier side, run tired, or simply prefer to protect your knees late on, step up to a 34×34 for extra margin. There's no penalty to carrying the easier gear on a climb this long — the insurance is worth it when the steepest ramp hits.

Summary

Coll de les Torres is a climb of endurance and rhythm: 17.2 km at 3.98%, gaining 686 m almost without interruption, with a single 8.46% ramp to respect. Pace it to your threshold, gear for the length, and let the numbers do the work.

Length: 17.2 km
Average gradient: 3.98%
Max gradient: 8.46%
Start: 90 m
Summit: 776 m
Net gain: 686 m
Total ascent: 688 m
Category: 2