Pyrenees climbs

Argelès-Gazost or Luz-Saint-Sauveur?

Argelès-Gazost is well placed for Hautacam and the westward ride towards Soulor and Aubisque. Luz-Saint-Sauveur brings you closer to the Tourmalet side of the selection. Either choice still needs valley riding or a transfer for some starts. Compare the actual map start with your accommodation, especially for the Viscos approach to Luz Ardiden.

Choose your mountain days

A possible week combines Hautacam, Aubisque via Soulor, Luz Ardiden and Tourmalet with a free day. Lac d’Estaing can replace one of those rides if you prefer a more gently graded ascent. It still gains substantial elevation, so include its profile and return journey when planning the day.

Avoid counting shared roads twice

The Aubisque profile already includes the approach via Soulor, so adding a separate Soulor climb would repeat part of that day. The selected Tourmalet uses Voie Laurent Fignon on the western approach. Hautacam continues to Col de Tramassel. These exact endpoints explain differences from race-stage figures or another rider’s route.

Lac d’Estaing from Argelès-Gazost

This route climbs west from Argelès-Gazost towards the lake through the Val d’Azun area. Its lower average gradient gives the collection another kind of ride, without moving to a different Pyrenean base. For Péguère, Agnès and Port de Lers farther east, use the separate Ariège collection.

Further reading

• Occitanie tourism: cycling in the Gaves valleys
• Epic Road Rides: choosing a Pyrenees base