Campdevanol-Collet de les Baraques-Coll de la Creueta-Santuario de S.M. de Montgrony-Campdevanol 97 km

Great cycling tour in the Pyrenees with 4 climbs (the Collada de Toses, the Collet de les Barraques, the Coll de la Creueta and the climb to Santuario de Santa Maria de Montgrony), with about 2500 m ascent. On the way there are among others great views, mountain scenery, vultures, red rocks, a monastery, and the picturesque mountain village Castellar de N'Hug. There are two busy sections, between Campdevanol and Planoles, and between Collada de Toses and the turn-off to Coll de la Creueta. The other sections are reasonably quiet. If you want to avoid the busy section to be busy, start off early in Campdevanol. Paving is good. You can find something to eat and drink in Campdevanol, Ribes de Freser, Planoles, Toses, Collada de Toses, la Molina, Castellar de N'Hug and Gombrèn. The parking at the start is free.
From the start you follow the main road N-260 through the valley to Ribes de Freser. You then continue on the N-260 towards Planoles, which is the first section of the climb to Collada de Toses, which is not very steep. Just before Planoles you take the turn-off to Collet de les Barraques. This 9 km climb has a steady 8% incline, is largely through woods with occasional views, and on a dead-end street. The last 500 meters has no cars. The asphalt road ends on a small mountain pass with views towards higher mountains towards the French border. From here there are only gravel roads and paths, and you turn back down to the N-260. In Planoles, you leave the N260 and after a short descent the road starts climbing towards the Collada de Toses again, via the village Toses. Until the village the ascent is moderate 4-5%, but after the village the ascent is steeper (up to 10%), until you get to the GI-400 road. From here it is not far to the Collada de Toses with a restaurant and a large car park on the N-260. You turn back on the GI-400 and follow the road to the turn-off towards the Coll de la Creueta. You descend a short while and then ascend to the Coll. A big group of griffon vultures was circling here. From here you descend on the main road and later on a smaller road to the mountain village Castellar de N'Hug. This is a nice place for lunch. From here you take the road towards Gombrèn on a minor road taking you through an area with red rocks. The road mainly descends, until you get to the turn-off for the sanctuary of Santa Maria de Montgrony. The climb of about 3 km is quite steep with 1.5 km more than 10%, on a quiet road. Then there is a flat stretch and you descend somewhat on a bad stretch of road below vertical rock cliffs (popular with climbers). The last stretch from the parking ascends to the Montgrony courtyard. There is a restaurant here, but it was closed during my trip. You have great views here. You can leave your bike to climb the stairs towards Sant Pere De Montgrony. I did this till the top of the stairs, but then returned to my bike and descended the way back I came to the road taking you down to Gombrèn. The minor road arrives to the the GI-402 which you descend via Gombrèn all the way to Campdevanol. Past the church you ride back to the starting point.