Beixalis (West side)

Beixalis (West side)

Collada de Beixalís is a high-altitude mountain pass reaching an elevation of 1,795 meters (5,889 feet) within the Pyrenean parish of Encamp in central Andorra. Positioned on the ridge separating the Valira d’Orient valley from the Massana basin, the pass formed a quiet local livestock trail and forestry passage for centuries. The steep eastern approach from Encamp remained a rough gravel track until the mid-2010s, when a major infrastructure project paved the final section, transforming the narrow track into a modern asphalt link through dense pine forests and steep alpine meadows.

The paved road provides a demanding high-altitude crossing, with the eastern approach from Encamp standing out for its relentless steepness and highly irregular pitch. Spanning roughly 6.6 kilometers, this approach climbs at an average gradient of 8.4%—with sustained ramps exceeding 10%—before descending toward Ordino to connect directly with the neighboring Coll d’Ordino pass. Following its paving, the pass quickly rose to prominence on the international stage, featuring as a decisive high-altitude segment in major professional stage races including the Vuelta a España and the Tour de France.