Mountain Roads/ Narrow Road

Tourmalet, Saulor, Aubisque, Aspin, Peyresourde are just some of the mythical mountain roads in the Hautes-Pyrénées. 

Either by road bike or mountain bike, each passionate and motivated cyclist, either enthusiast or professional is eager to complete these legendary narrow roads and compete with Fausto Copi, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Thevenet, Raymond Poulidor, Richard Virenque…

Crédit Photo - Fotolia @Robert Soen

COL DU TOURMALET, GLORY OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE CYCLISTS

Col du Tourmalet is the highest paved mountain pass in the French Pyrénées. The summit is 2,115 metres (6,939 feet), and at the top is a monumental statue « The Giant of Tourmalet » to honour Octave Lapize, the first cyclist to climb it during the first visit of the Tour de France in 1910. The Tourmalet remains in our memories as the hardest mountain pass for the Tour de France cyclists. It is also has some of the most beautiful scenery onthe l’Ardiden and the Balaïtous. It is the departure point of excursions towards the Pic du Midi. 

COL DU SOULOR, MIGRATORY CORRIDORS OF BIRDS 

From 1947, the Tour De France cyclists have climbed the col Du Soulor (1,474 meters- 4,836 feet) which is accessible via the east side from Argelès-Gazost through a road offering superb panoramas on the mountain lands, or via the west side from Laruns and via the col d’Aubsique. The col de Soulor is a migration corridor for the wooden pigeon and the grey cranes. It links the Ossau Valley to the Val d’Azun. This preserved nature area is ideal for hiking and Nordic ski. 

COL D’AUBISQUE, between BÉARN and BIGORRE

The col d’Aubisque road was built by Napoléon III and his spouse the Empress Eugénie in order to connect the « thermal towns ». Situated at 1,709 metres altitude, this legendary mountain road used by the Tour de France cyclists links the Ossau Valley to Argelès-Gazost Valley. The climb starts in Laruns then you cross the Eaux Bonnes thermal village followed by the Gourette ski resort, and at the top, the view on Laruns and the Ouzom Valley is magical, a high mountain scenery. Dominated to the south by the Pic de Ger (fr) (2,613 meters – 8,573 Feet).

COL D’ASPIN, VIEW on the PYRÉNÉES mountains

Between the Aure and the Campan Valleys, the col d’Aspin (1,489 meters – 4,885 feet) crosses forests and grazing lands and offers one of the most beautiful views of the Pyrenees Mountains. The legendary mountain passes are also used by the Tour de France. 

After the col d’Aspin, you arrive on the Plateau de Payolle and its lake.

COL DE PEYRESOURDE - 1,569 Metres ALTITUDE

Between Arreau and Bagnères de Luchon, the col de Peyresourde reaches 1,569 meters (5,147 feet). It links the Louron Valley (Hautes-Pyrenees) and Larboust Valley (Haute-Garonne). Near the col de Peyresourde, you can access the Peyragudes ski resort.