Cycle up the legendary mountain passes

Mountain passes of the Pyrenees

Tourmalet, Aubisque, Hautacam, Luz Ardiden, Col d’Aspin… Cycling on roads still burning in the wake of the Tour de France, measuring yourself against those idols, those valiant men… that’s what it’s like to ride the mountain passes of the Pyrenees.

Col du Tourmalet

Needless to say, with a giant like the Tourmalet in our valleys, neighbouring the mighty Aubisque, hearts beat faster and passions run high here every season. Lourdes makes the ideal base camp for cycling out to the mountain passes: the Marian town is located on the 100 km loop of the Col du Tourmalet, halfway between the 2 sides of this legendary pass.

The Pyrenees

Star of the Tour de France

The Tour de France is the most famous and most challenging cycle race in the world. Every summer, it brings together cyclists of all nationalities to ride more than 3,000 km. Some of the greatest stages of the Tour de France are in the Pyrenees: Tourmalet, Portet d’Aspet, Aubisque, Aspin, Marie Blanque, Peyresourde, Puymorens, Plateau de Beille.

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©Col de Peyresourde|Hpte Adelaide Maisonabe

Never flat

The Pyrenees are known for their high concentration of remarkable passes and climbs that are truly exceptional. To give you an example, between the Col d’Aubisque and the Col du Tourmalet, you have Luz Ardiden, the climb to Hautacam, Couraduque, secret passes such as the Col des Bordères, and very few flat stretches between all these giants!

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