How hard is Rocacorba / Puigsou from Banyoles?

Classified as Category 1, Rocacorba / Puigsou from Banyoles is a serious ascent that demands respect and careful pacing.

How long is Rocacorba / Puigsou from Banyoles?

Rocacorba / Puigsou from Banyoles is 12.3km long with 794m of elevation gain. At a typical climbing pace, expect the ascent to take roughly 1 hour and 14 minutes.

Where does Rocacorba / Puigsou from Banyoles start?

Rocacorba / Puigsou from Banyoles starts on the GIV-5247 in Catalonia, Spain. The starting coordinates are 42.1053°N, 2.7465°E.

What is the steepest section of Rocacorba / Puigsou from Banyoles?

The steepest 100-metre section of Rocacorba / Puigsou from Banyoles hits 12.4%. A serious ramp that will have you out of the saddle. The average gradient across the full climb is 6.4%.

When is the best time to ride Rocacorba / Puigsou from Banyoles?

The best time to ride Rocacorba / Puigsou from Banyoles is February to December, when temperatures average around 14°C and rainfall is moderate.

Cat 1 GIV-5247

Rocacorba / Puigsou from Banyoles

Catalonia, spain

The GIV-5247 rises 12.3km through rolling hills and mountain roads, gaining 794m to 970m. Averaging 6.4%, the road kicks to 12.4% at its steepest — a serious ramp that demands respect. 11 hairpins punctuate the ascent, offering brief respite in the corners before the gradient bites again. Located in Catalonia, Spain.

The crux hits between km 6 and km 8 — 8km above 10% averaging 11.0%.
Harder than 95% of climbs in Catalonia.
More vertical gain than 92% of climbs in Spain.
11 hairpin bends punctuate the climb, each switchback offering a moment to regroup.
One of only 2,281 Category 1 climbs in the database.

Rocacorba / Puigsou from Banyoles

Catalonia, spain

12.3km 794m 6.4%

Distance

12.3km

Avg Gradient

6.4%

Max Gradient

12.4%

Elevation Gain

794m

Summit

970m

Wall Rating

5.1

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Conditions

Best time to ride: Year-round

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Temperature

10.8° Cool

14.1° Mild

14.8° Mild

16.7° Mild

21° Warm

25.7° Warm

29.1° Hot

28.6° Hot

24.4° Warm

20.6° Warm

14.9° Mild

12.9° Mild

Rainfall

90mm Moderate

42mm Light

77mm Light

138mm Wet

106mm Moderate

66mm Light

75mm Light

125mm Moderate

119mm Moderate

96mm Moderate

53mm Light

Wind

11km/h Light

13km/h Light

14km/h Light

13km/h Light

12km/h Light

13km/h Light

12km/h Light

What things cost

Typical prices in Spain

€1.70

Coffee

€3.00

Beer

€11.00

Meal

€1.00

Water

The Story

The Girona Training Ground

Rocacorba is where the pros test themselves. This unassuming climb from Banyoles, just 30 minutes from Girona, has become cycling's unofficial testing ground — a climb so embedded in pro cycling culture that Strava times here are scrutinised for form indicators.

The Climb

The 11.8km ascent starts gently through oak forest, averaging 5.3% for the first half. Then the road narrows and kicks — the final 4km average 8-9% with a vicious 15% ramp near the summit where the telecommunications towers stand.

The road surface is variable — smooth tarmac gives way to rougher sections higher up. The climb is shaded for most of its length, making it bearable even in the Catalan summer heat.

Why It Matters

Almost every WorldTour rider living in Girona has a Rocacorba time. Chris Froome, Tadej Pogačar, Remco Evenepoel — they all train here. A sub-30-minute time marks you as genuinely fast. The pros do it in around 25 minutes.

Pro Tip

The descent is fast but the road is narrow — watch for cars. Combine with other Girona classics like Els Àngels and Mare de Déu del Mont for a full training day. Park at the sports centre in Banyoles.