Puigsou
Puigsou is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 989m (3,244ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Girona, Catalonia, northern Spain. It has been used by some of the world’s best cyclists as a test climb.
Located in the comarca of Gironès, the road to the summit, within the mountains of Rocacorba, is apaved but pretty narrow. It was fully paved in 2006. On a little hill near the summit lies the 12th-century Santuari de Rocacorba, which gives its name to the climb. The summit hosts several antennas for telecommunications and broadcasting, including television. It’s a brute of a climb with a savage dead end that has become quite iconic in cult statures in cycling.
The road to the summit, also known by the name of Rocacorba, is very steep. Starting from Road GIV-5247, the ascent is 6.1 km long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 559 meters. The average gradient is 9.16% with ramps of up to 15%. The road is recognised as a key training climb and often used by many professional cyclists. It is one of David Millar’s favourites. On a clear day, you can see the Pyrenees, a mere 80 kilometres further north.