The temple of cycling

The Col du Tourmalet

At 2115 m, it’s one of the highest road passes in the Pyrenees, where the legend of Tour de France cycling is written almost every summer, in the shadow of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre. Between Barèges and Campan, its bare slopes welcome lots of visitors and cyclists in summer, following in the wheel tracks of those who climb the Grande Boucle.

Col du Tourmalet cycle info: 

Uncategorised pass – Ascent of the Col du Tourmalet by the eastern slope, from Campan, a very long climb.

• Length: 22.5km

• Leight gain: 1268m (departure altitude: 660m – arrival altitude: 2115m)

• average %: 6%

• maximum %: 9%

Ascent of the Col du Tourmalet by the western slope, from Luz-Saint-Sauveur, a panoramic landscape on the Pays Toy.

• Length : 19 km

• Height difference: 1404 m (departure altitude: 711m – arrival altitude: 2115m)

• % average : 7.4%
• % maximum : 10.2%

Please note: in winter, the two slopes of the Col du Tourmalet make up the “Grand Tourmalet Barèges La Mongie”, the largest ski area in the French Pyrenees. 

La Hourquette d’Ancizan (1560 metres) 

Passage open like a small “hourque” (fork) between the Payolle and Aure valleys. The scenery at the top is superb. Located at the foot of the Arbizon overlooking the summer grazing and pastures of 4 Véziaux.  

Cycle info:

Ascent of the Hourquette d’Ancizan via the Ancizan / Guchen slope

•  Total ascent : 9,6 km.
• Average slope : 7,7 %. 

Ascent of the Hourquette d’Ancizan via the Campan side

• Total ascent : 8,6 km.
• Average slope : 4,8 %

“Motivating” signage: The Hautes-Pyrénées installed, back in the 1990s (which was an exclusive), signage only intended for cyclists. These panels are located along the climbs of the department’s 18 passes. They show the distance remaining to the summit, the average slope percentage and the altitude. This information is designed to help cyclists manage their effort and adjust their gears. 

The other passes in the department: 

The Hautes Pyrénées are fortunate to have many legendary Tour de France passes separated by just a few dozen kilometres.

• The col du Peyresourde : 1569 m
• The col du Soulor : 1474 m
• The col d’Aubisque : 1 709
• The col de Couraduque : 1367 m
• The col du Portet : 2215 m

Cycling passport : This is a booklet you can get stamped at tourist offices which lists all your mountain pass ascents. Once you’ve done all the passes, you can send your booklet to the departmental council, which sends you back, a short time later, your Bronze, Silver or Gold Haut-Pyrenean Cycling Certificate.