Next to the Coll d'Ares, it is the most iconic port in the Montsec mountain range and the Lleida Pre-Pyrenees. The views from above, either towards the Pyrenees and the Isona and Tremp valley, as well as the Plana de Lleida, are magnificent.
It is a port with 4 aspects, each one different:
- The southern slope, which begins in Artesa de Segre, is almost 24 km long and runs along a road with a lot of traffic, very wide and with long straights. After passing the town of Folquer, you face the hardest section of the climb, now with continuous curves and horseshoes, although with a road that is still very wide. The best are the views of the Lleida plain. It is not a side that I like since it is very stinky.
- The southeast slope, the one that begins in Pons, is longer than the previous one, with 29 km. It has 2 rest sections, with some descent, and the road is narrow and twisty. There are good views along the climb. This slope joins the southern slope that comes from Artesa de Segre at the height of Folquer, where the hardest 7 km remain until reaching the top of the pass.
- The main northern slope begins in Tremp and is 28.2 km. It is similar to the Artesa de Segre slope, with a similar gradient and a wide, busy road with a progressive slope, although it is true that there are no kilometers that reach 7%. I don't like.
- The northwest slope, which also begins in Tremp, takes the old road that goes up through the town of Sant Salvador de Toló. It is a climb without traffic, on an irregular asphalt road, one of the old ones, which is grippy and difficult to roll, but in good condition. If you plan to go up to Comiols on the northern slope, you have to do it here and forget about the slope that runs along the main road.