Page Contributor(s): Photos: A.S.O./Charly López
INTRO
Stage 4 is a brutal, self-contained loop entirely within Andorra: 104.8 km out of and back into Andorra la Vella on Tuesday, August 25, and the first genuine mountain stage of the race despite the flat-sounding finish town. The route tackles three Category 1 climbs in succession — Port d'Envalira (23.3 km at 5.1%, the highest paved pass in the Pyrenees at 2,409 m), Collada de Beixalis (6.5 km at 8.5%, a brutally uneven climb used in the 2021 Tour de France), and Coll d'Ordino (9.9 km at 7%) — before a short Category 3 kicker at La Comella closes out the stage.
With almost 10,000 ft of climbing packed into just 105 km, expect fireworks among the GC contenders on the race's first true mountain day.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. Three Category 1 climbs dominate this stage, and they're each a different flavor of hard. Port d'Envalira, tackled first, is long and steady (23.3 km at 5.1%) rather than brutally steep — a grinding effort more than an explosive one, cresting at 2,409 m, the highest paved pass in the Pyrenees.
Collada de Beixalis, climbed from the Encamp side, is the opposite: short but savage at 6.5 km and 8.5% average, with sections well into double digits. Coll d'Ordino, the third climb, splits the difference at 9.9 km and 7%. The finishing Category 3 La Comella (3.9 km at 5.9%) adds one more sting before the finish back in Andorra la Vella.
This is a closed loop within Andorra's well-paved but narrow mountain road network — expect switchbacks, tunnels (including a 2,870 m illuminated tunnel near Pas de la Casa), and tight passages on the Port d'Envalira descent into France and back.
Outside race day, Andorra's roads carry significant cross-border shopping traffic, so expect more congestion in Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany than on the high mountain sections themselves. Parking in central Andorra la Vella can be tight and is generally paid; the mountain villages (Encamp, Ordino, Canillo) have easier, often free parking if you're just riding the climbs.
Standard climbing gearing (compact crankset, 30-34t rear cog) is a smart call here, especially for the steep pitches on Collada de Beixalis. With nearly 10,000 ft of gain in one loop, plan real nutrition and hydration — refill in Encamp, Canillo, or Ordino village rather than relying on the high mountain sections between them.
Temperatures at Port d'Envalira's 2,409 m summit can be noticeably cooler than the valley floor even in August, so pack a light layer for the descents.
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ROUTE MAP
