Hautacam - Col de Tramassel 

The ski resort town of Hautacam is where Lance Armstrong put his signature on the 1999 Tour de France. This town is very close to Lourdes.  One starts the climb from the pretty little town of Argeles-Gazost, about halfway between Lourdes and Luz St. Sauveur.

Col de Tramassel: (1635m @ avg 7.3%): Scenic road to and beyond winter ski resort of Hautacam, and a Tour de France finish climb in recent years. 15km climb starts from near Argelès, with erratic gradients never exceeding 10%. Surface ends at 1660m. Considered one of the harder climbs in the area due to the highly irregular gradients. From the col, an unsealed but passable road continues for another 1.5 kms to a small parking at Col de Moulata (1675m).

---

Col du Soulor - Col d'Aubisque - Col de Marie-Blanque 

Col du Soulor (1475m @ avg 5.2% from the east): A three-sided pass, often used by the Tour de France, leading on its very short western limb to the much more spectacular Col d’Aubisque, 1709m (via a 116m drop.) Good summit views amongst grassy meadows. Gradient signs every km are for the benefit of the many cyclists who come here. Often busy with tourists in July and August. The long north climb winds up through meadows, sometimes quite steeply. The east side above Arrens is a steady 8 - 9%. The preceding climb approach from Argelès-Gazost is a wide shallow road through fields. 

Col d'Aubisque (1709m @ avg 7.2% from the east): Famous for frequent use by the Tour de France. The short east side is a very spectacular, attractive road running along cliffs in the Cirque du Litor. Adjoining it is a small climb to Col du Soulor, 1475m. The west side is a major 1200-meter ascent, but lacks interest until near the top. It first rises very easily out of touristy Laruns to Eaux-Bonnes. It is moderately steep thereafter. Like many passes, walks from the summit afford even better views. 

Col de Marie-Blanque (1035m @ avg 7.7% from the east): The west side from Escot, with long stretches of 12%, is especially difficult. Mostly wooded, but moderately scenic in parts. The east side from Bielle is easier except for a severe start, and is more scenic (Plateau de Benou half way up is a flat meadow with roaming horses). Two false summits, summit with sign just clear of trees, but poor views.

Col du Tourmalet (2115m @ avg  7.7% from the west, avg  5.4% from the east): Celebrated Pyrenean col, crossed record number of times by Tour de France, before 2002. Very scenic and thoroughly recommended except during busy August (quiet again in September). New cyclists’ monument. New road (formerly track) ascends from summit to Pic du Midi de Bigorre, 2872m. The west side is slightly the steeper on average, but is evenly graded. The east side starts easily but has a tough mid section above Gripp. It has very attractive waterfalls, and km signs informative to cyclists.

Col d'Aspin (1489m @ avg 6.3% from the west): Popular with club cyclists, and much used by the Tour de France. Steadily graded throughout (easier going west to east) and not too busy, except in high season. Pleasant views down throughout the open east side, and also on the west side where the forest covers breaks (especially of Pic du Midi de Bigorre, 2872m). Cattle and horses frequent summit. Quieter alternatives are Col de Beyrède, 1417m (north) and Hourquette d’Ancizan, 1538/1564m (south).

 

 

 

Luz Ardiden  (1715m @ avg 7.7%): A grassy cul-de-sac at small, dismal-looking ski resort - sometimes used as Tour de France stage finish. Fairly long, and steep lower down. Climbs 1030m in 14km from Luz St Sauveur, and is similar in profile to Col de Tramassel, 1615m. (Variant lower section to the north is theoretically harder.)

This climb will be long remembered as the place where Lance Armstrong finally sealed victory in the 2003 Tour de France, after a terrific battle with Jan Ullrich throughout the race, which was one of the best Tours for many years. To add to the drama, Armstrong had to recover from a fall after being brought down by a spectator (accidentally). The other riders, including Ullrich, sportingly waited for Armstrong to remount.

Luz- St. Sauveur/Lake and Dam des Gloriettes (above Gèdre)

The double spa-village of Luz-St. Sauveur, in two distinct quarters straddling the confluence of the Gavarnie and Bastan rivers, lies 12km south of Pierrefitte-Nestalas. Luz-St. Sauveur owes its reputation as a spa town to Napoleon III and his wife, the empress Eugenie. The spa buildings, typical of the 2nd Empire, overlook the Pau river whose waters are used to treat bone illnesses and rheumatism. A little further upstream, Napoleon's bridge is a spectacular feature, its single arch spanning 47m and reaching up to 66m. 

Above: The lovely view of Luz-St. Sauveur from our rental home