Coll dels Belitres

Overview

Coll dels Belitres is a Category 4 climb in France measuring 2.7 km with an average gradient of 5.83%. Those numbers suggest a manageable effort, but the maximum gradient of 16.78% tells the real story: this is a climb that punishes riders who don't manage their energy in the lower slopes. Total ascent over the course of the climb is 356 m.

How the Gradient Unfolds

At 2.7 km, Coll dels Belitres is short enough that many riders make the mistake of treating it as a sprint from the base. The average of 5.83% is deceptive. A maximum gradient of 16.78% means at least one section hits close to double the average — a sharp ramp that will crack legs already running at threshold.

Without a detailed pitch-by-pitch breakdown, the key takeaway from the headline stats is this: the gap between average and maximum gradient is large. Expect unevenness. The climb almost certainly has gentler ramps early on that lull riders into pushing a bigger gear, followed by at least one steep kick that demands either a gear change or a significant lift in power output.

Gradient Summary

• Length: 2.7 km
• Average gradient: 5.83%
• Maximum gradient: 16.78%
• Total ascent: 356 m
• Category: 4

Pacing Notes

Given the short length, most riders will complete Coll dels Belitres in well under 15 minutes, depending on fitness. That duration puts it squarely in the zone where it's tempting to ride well above FTP from the gun. Resist that.

The smarter approach:

• Start conservative. Ride the opening kilometre at or just below threshold. The average gradient in that section is unlikely to be the steepest part of the climb.
• Keep something in reserve. The near-17% maximum ramp will force a power spike regardless of how well you pace it. Going in with fatigued legs makes that ramp significantly harder to turn over.
• Stay seated through steep sections if possible. On gradients approaching 17%, standing is efficient only if you have the muscular freshness to sustain it. On a short climb with a steep crux, many riders burn matches standing when seated grinding would cost less.

Gearing Recommendations

For a maximum gradient of 16.78%, a compact chainset (50/34) with an 11-32 cassette is comfortable for most trained riders. Those on a standard 53/39 setup should confirm they have at least a 28- or 30-tooth sprocket available — the steep ramp at close to 17% will demand it unless you're carrying significant power-to-weight.

If you're using this climb as a test effort, the FTP estimator can help you benchmark your output across a climb of this length and gradient profile.

Summary

Coll dels Belitres is a short, uneven Cat 4 climb where the average gradient undersells the difficulty. The 16.78% maximum ramp is the defining feature — pace the lower slopes conservatively, keep a usable gear available, and don't be caught out by the disparity between the headline average and what the road actually asks of you.