From Sant Julià de Lòria (2,917 ft / 889 m) to the Coll de la Gallina (6,266 ft / 1,910 m) it is 7.5 miles (12 km) at an average of 8.8% with 3,451 ft (1,052 m) of climbing. It is the hardest climb in Andorra and one of the most demanding in the whole Pyrenees.
What the climb is like
- Km 0 to 2.5. You leave Sant Julià on the CS-140 and quickly go from 5-7% to kilometers at 9-10%. There is no warm-up.
- Km 2.5 to 3.5. The only break: an almost flat stretch, at 1-2%, at Coll de Jou.
- Km 3.5 to 7. The grade goes back to 7-9%, through woods and meadows, past La Moixella and Fontaneda.
- Km 7 to the top. The section the Gallina is famous for: from Mas d’Alins, kilometers at 10, 12 and 12.5%, with 13-14% pitches, and a 9-10% finish to the pass. CyclingCols measures almost 3.7 miles (6 km) at 9.9% here.
A note on the numbers
Climbfinder gives 7.5 miles (12 km) and 3,451 ft (1,052 m) at 8.8% to 6,270 ft (1,911 m); CyclingCols 7.5 miles (12.1 km) and 3,438 ft (1,048 m), with an 8.4% average based on the elevation difference and the top at 6,257 ft (1,907 m). The maximum grade is 14.5-14.6% in both sources. On the other side, from Aixovall, cols-cyclisme gives 7.3 miles (11.8 km) and 3,222 ft (982 m) at 8.3%.
History
The Gallina is a Vuelta a España climb. CyclingCols lists Alejandro Valverde (2012), Daniele Ratto (2013), Omar Fraile (2015), Enric Mas (2018, at a stage finish) and Geoffrey Bouchard (2019) as first to the top.
When to go, water and traffic
In winter there can be snow and ice on the upper part. Traffic is light. Drink in Sant Julià: there are hardly any services on the climb. The descent toward Aixovall is also very steep; check your brakes.
What gearing to use
You want a 34x32 or 34x34 here. At 3 W/kg (watts per kilogram of body weight) and 159 lb (72 kg), you ride about 4.7 mph (7.6 km/h) on 12%: 57 rpm on a 34x32 and 60 on a 34x34. On a 34x28 you would drop to 50 rpm. Run your numbers in the gear calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb the Coll de la Gallina?
A 159 lb (72 kg) rider on a 21 lb (9.5 kg) bike takes about 1 hr 11 min at 3 W/kg (216 W), 1 hr 25 min at 2.5 W/kg and 54 min at 4 W/kg. Work out your own time with your weight and power in the calculator on this page.
Where is the hardest part of the Gallina?
In the last 3.1 miles (5 km): kilometers at 10-12.5% with 13-14% pitches, already above 4,600 ft (1,400 m). Before that, between km 2.5 and 3.5, there is an almost flat breather at Coll de Jou.
Which side of the Gallina is harder?
The two are similar. From Aixovall it is 7.3 miles (11.8 km) and about 3,250 ft (990 m) at 8.3-8.4%; from Sant Julià, 7.5 miles (12 km) and 3,451 ft (1,052 m), with a steeper finish.