Video: Mike Cotty heads to Spanish Pyrenees to tackle the Vallter 2000

While it’s the famous climbs on the French side that tend to spring to mind when talking about cycling in the Pyrenees, the Spanish side of the range has its own stars too, and Mike Cotty has tackled one of those, the Vallter 2000, in his latest Col Collective video.

In winter home to a ski resort, the climb has also been used in the Vuelta a Espana, while the Strava KOM is currently held by Romain Bardet of AG2R-La Mondiale, set when he won the fourth stage of the 2014 Tour of Catalonia.

Here’s Cotty talking about it:

Although a 12km climb may not sound like a huge deal, being next door to La Garrotxa was far too much of a temptation to resist exploring.

With over 40 volcanos in the region and a landscape I’d not seen before it’s easy to get carried away even before you wind your way deeper into the Girona Pyrenees towards the foot of Vallter 2000 at Setcases.

Today I already had 30 or 40km in the legs which was a good warm up although, if the truth be known, I was hoping I’d still have something left in the tank for Vallter as the drag up to the starting point at 1,265m is a climb in itself so keep that in mind if you’re making a ride of it.

At 2,144m, Vallter 2000 is the highest of only four climbs that top 2,000m in the region making it the king of Catalonia.

Although there aren’t any really steep double digit pitches the average gradient of 7.8% speaks for itself, rarely gifting you any respite. Find your rhythm, keep the faith and let the serenity of the mountains be your guide.

Vital Statistics

Start: Setcases

Length: 12.2km

Summit: 2144m

Elevation gain: 879m

Average gradient: 7.8%

Max gradient: 10%

Ridden in April