Cycling in the Pyrenees
Organize your cycling trip in the Pyrénées
TOURMALET ITINERARY19 KM FROM LUZ SAINT SAUVEUR
SEE MAP
SEE RELIEF
This legendary pass needs no introduction! Since 1910, the Tour de France cyclists have climbed it 78 times and it has hosted 3 stage finish lines. Octave Lapize was the first competitor to win fame here during a 326-km race in 1910, the most difficult ever stage of the Tour de France. At 2,115 metres above sea level, the Col du Tourmalet is one of the highest Pyrenean roads located entirely in France. The impressive Pic du Midi de Bigorre (2,877 metres) towers above it. Ever since, this col has frequently featured on the Tour de France route, more times than any other pass. It was here that the Shleck vs Contador battle to the stage finish line took place in 2010.
SEE MAP SEE RELIEFThis legendary pass needs no introduction! Since 1910, the Tour de France cyclists have climbed it 78 times and it has hosted 3 stage finish lines. Octave Lapize was the first competitor to win fame here during a 326-km race in 1910, the most difficult ever stage of the Tour de France. At 2,115 metres above sea level, the Col du Tourmalet is one of the highest Pyrenean roads located entirely in France. The impressive Pic du Midi de Bigorre (2,877 metres) towers above it. Ever since, this col has frequently featured on the Tour de France route, more times than any other pass. It was here that the Shleck vs Contador battle to the stage finish line took place in 2010.
| Elevation: | 2115 M |
| Starts at: | Luz Saint Sauveur |
| Length: | 19.00 km |
| Elevation gain: | 1404 m |
| Average %: | 7.4% |
| Maximum %: | 10.2% |
Soulor/Aubisque ITINERARY
SEE MAP
SEE RELIEF
After the Col du Tourmalet come two other Tour de France giants: the Col d’Aubisque and the Col du Soulor. After a short but intense climb from Argelès Gazost and over the Col du Soulor, the road, carved out of the rock in the Cirque du Litor, follows the mountainside up to the Col de l’Aubisque. This route offers a succession of panoramic views over the splendours of the Ouzoum Valley.
Col d'Aubisque 1,709 metres - Category 1 (from Col du Soulor) - Climbed 48 times by the Tour de France with 2 stage finish lines
SEE MAP SEE RELIEFAfter the Col du Tourmalet come two other Tour de France giants: the Col d’Aubisque and the Col du Soulor. After a short but intense climb from Argelès Gazost and over the Col du Soulor, the road, carved out of the rock in the Cirque du Litor, follows the mountainside up to the Col de l’Aubisque. This route offers a succession of panoramic views over the splendours of the Ouzoum Valley.
Col du SouloR 1,474 metres - Category 2 (from Arrens-Marsous) - Climbed 54 times by the Tour de France
| Elevation : | 1474 M |
| Starts at : | Argeles Gazost |
| Length : | 7.00 km |
| Elevation gain : | 600 m |
| Average % : | 8% |
| Maximum % : | 11% |
Col d'Aubisque 1,709 metres - Category 1 (from Col du Soulor) - Climbed 48 times by the Tour de France with 2 stage finish lines
| Elevation : | 1709 M |
| Starts at : | Argeles Gazost |
| Length : | 17.00 km |
| Elevation gain: | 959 m |
| Average % : | 7% |
| Maximum % : | 9% |
Hautacam Itinerary 14 km from Argelès Gazost
SEE MAP
SEE RELIEF
The resort of Hautacam (Tramassel) has hosted Tour de France stage finish lines on several occasions. To help you complete the climb, every turn of the pedal is rewarded with panoramic views of the Valleys of Argelès and Azun, as well as the Vignemale and its neighbouring summits! Take a break at the top to enjoy the panorama and prepare yourself for a magical 16-km descent!
SEE MAP SEE RELIEFThe resort of Hautacam (Tramassel) has hosted Tour de France stage finish lines on several occasions. To help you complete the climb, every turn of the pedal is rewarded with panoramic views of the Valleys of Argelès and Azun, as well as the Vignemale and its neighbouring summits! Take a break at the top to enjoy the panorama and prepare yourself for a magical 16-km descent!
| Elevation : | 1616 M |
| Starts at : | Argeles Gazost |
| Length : | 14.00 km |
| Elevation gain: | 1096 m |
| Average % : | 7.7% |
| Maximum % : | 11% |
Luz Ardiden Itinerary 13 km from Luz Saint Sauveur
SEE MAP
SEE RELIEF
This legendary ascent from the Luz Ardiden plateau has been the finishing leg of no less than 5 Tour de France stages. The stuff of legends, with the memorable Miguel Indurain, then Lance Armstrong who, despite a fall, made the climb in 36 minutes to achieve his 5th Tour de France victory. The Luz Ardiden route is pleasant in summer because it starts in the shade and there is very little traffic.
SEE MAP SEE RELIEFThis legendary ascent from the Luz Ardiden plateau has been the finishing leg of no less than 5 Tour de France stages. The stuff of legends, with the memorable Miguel Indurain, then Lance Armstrong who, despite a fall, made the climb in 36 minutes to achieve his 5th Tour de France victory. The Luz Ardiden route is pleasant in summer because it starts in the shade and there is very little traffic.
| Ekevation : | 1720 M |
| Starts at : | Luz Saint Sauveur |
| Length : | 13.00 km |
| Elevation gain : | 1010 m |
| Average %: | 7% |
| Maximum % : | 10% |
Gavarnie/Col de Tentes Itinerary17 km from Luz Saint Sauveur
SEE MAP
SEE RELIEF
A physically challenging climb in the famous UNESCO World Heritage site of the valley of Gavarnie.
SEE MAP SEE RELIEFA physically challenging climb in the famous UNESCO World Heritage site of the valley of Gavarnie.
| Elevation : | 2208 M |
| Starts at : | Luz Saint Sauveur |
| Length : | 17.10 km |
| Elevation gain : | 1497 m |
| Average % : | 7.5% |
| Maximum % : | 10.7% |
Cycling events NOT TO BE MISSED
- On 6th June 2020, a sporting event with a party atmosphere accompanies a monumental statue nicknamed “Octave” on his climb to the Col du Tourmalet. The celebrations mark the beginning of the summer season of cycling events in the Pyrenees.
- The “Great Loop” as the Tour de France is sometimes known, the longest-running but also the most famous of the three “grand tour” cycle races, comes to the Pyrenees on 4th and 5th July. Since its beginnings in 1903, the popularity of the Tour de France has extended across borders in terms of both spectators and competing cyclists.
- The Pyrenees Cycle’n Trip takes place from 6th to 10th July 2020 Anyone can join this free event and experience the freedom of cycling at their own pace along the legendary passes of the Tour de France which are closed to traffic for the occasion.
- On 12th July 2020, a major annual challenge, the Pyrénéenne Cyclosportive, follows the emblematic passes of Hautes-Pyrénées.
- The Marmotte Granfondo Pyrénées cycle race on 30th August 2020 is the Pyrenean version of the Marmotte Granfondo Alpes event. It attracts cyclists from across the world, all keen to cover a succession of unclassified mountain passes in an electric atmosphere as international as they come.
- The Vuelta a España is another of the cycling world’s three most prestigious “grand tours” (with the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia), and the Col du Tourmalet is hosting one of its stage finish lines on 28th August 2020.
