La Bonaigua (Vielha)

Start Town	Altitude	Elevation Gain	Length	Gradient	Difficulty	Rating
Vielha	2,072m	1,102m	23.0 km	4.9%	648	***

Climb Description

La Bonaigua is the highest road pass in Catalonia and is one of the most celebrated cycling climbs in the region. It has been used in both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España and is also one of the gateways into the French Pyrenees.

The climb is picturesque and has a nice variety of scenery, but is not what you would call spectacular. In particular, the high volume of traffic on the lower slopes demands most of your attention, making it difficult to appreciate the fleeting views.

If you are in the area, then La Bonaigua is a nice climb to do if you can avoid the busiest periods (weekends & holidays) - but it is not a mountain that is worth travelling a long distance specifically to climb it.

In theory the Bonaigua is open throughout the year, as the road is routinely cleared of snow in the winter (partly to enable access to the ski resort near the summit). However, short term closures are possible depending on the amount of snowfall from December to April.

Roads & Traffic

The road surface is generally in good condition. Although there some parts on the lower slopes where it has been relaid in patches, which has made the road slightly bumpy.

This is a fairly busy road for the first half of the climb until Baqueria; however, there is a wide hard shoulder which acts like a cycle lane keeping you out of the traffic. After Baqueria the hard shoulder disappears and, although the traffic does reduce considerably, the cars can still be a nuissance on weekends. We would not recommend avoiding this climb solely because of the traffic, but it does demand extra care and attention.

Alternative Routes

La Bonaigua can also be climbed from the east, starting in Esterri d'Aneu.

Nearby Climbs

Pla de Beret

Port Aine

Col du Portillon

Superbagneres

Col de Peyresourde

Port de Bales

Cycling Holidays

We do not currently run any cycling holidays in this part of the Catalan Pyrenees. However, if you would like to customize an itinerary in the region, please contact us and we would happy to organize a trip for you.

In the past, for example, we have organized a coast to coast cycling tour across the Spanish Pyrenees for groups and cycling clubs, which have included this climb.

You may also be interested in some of our other tours below, both in the Pyrenees and elsewhere in Catalonia.