When you think you knew the most beautiful climbs in the Pyrenees, then you still can discover another climb that is even better than your favorites. I already had climbed Cirque du Troumouse, the amazing views of Gavarnie heading to Col du Boucharo, not to mention the stunning Cirque du Litor on your way to Aubisque. And then you know Port de Bales and it speeds up to first position. Port de Bales was included in Tour de France 2007 for the first time. It was not possible before because the Mauleon side was still not asphalted. In 2010 Tour de France at Port de Bales took place the most important fact of the whole tour, when Andy Schleck had a problem shifting gears and then Contador attacked and finally won the Tour de France. In 2012, 2014 and 2017 the Tour de France took again this big climb. Then Vuelta a España 2013 got again this amazing climb in a very tough stage with 232 km and some very long and steep climbs. Both sides are similar but if I have to choose one I take the Mauleon side (see elevation profile attached). The whole climb is beautiful in a narrow 3 m wide road, without any painting. No traffic at all. Cycling paradise. But the best is from about 3 km to the top. After a bend to the right you get an amazing view of green grass over a huge mountain with just the road in grey in the distance. Spectacular. In Mauleon they know how lucky they are. Watch the picture above "Port de Bales, 19 km de bonheur" (Port de Bales, 19 km of happiness). That's all.
When you think you knew the most beautiful climbs in the Pyrenees, then you still can discover another climb that is even better than your favorites. I already had climbed Cirque du Troumouse, the amazing views of Gavarnie heading to Col du Boucharo, not to mention the stunning Cirque du Litor on your way to
Coll de Pal is an amazing hidden gem in the Catalan Pyrenees. It is a very steep Hors Categorie climb which deserves much more fame than actually has. The overall numbers say it all. It is a very steep climb getting 2104 meters, with an overall elevation of 1267 meters in 19,3 km, which means an average gradient of 6,3%. Nevertheless, there are many passages at 11%, 12%, and 13%. No doubt Coll de Pal is a monster climb in the Pyrenees. See the elevation profile below. The starting point of the climb is a little village called Bagà in the Catalan Pyrenees. It is important to say that this is a no-exit climb, then you have to come back the same way you climbed to Bagà. This is the reason that it has to be stage ending when included in some event (professional race, granfondo, etc.). Coll de Pal has been included several times in major professional races, but it was a while ago. It was in Volta a Catalunya years 1978 and 1989, and also in the Setmana Catalana de Ciclisme (not disputed since 2005) years 2002, 2003 and 2005 (winners Giuseppe Guerini, Dario Frigo, and a certain Alberto Contador). Also, there is a very nice granfondo which includes Coll de Pal in the route. This is "Els 4 cims", a demanding granfondo which includes 4 big climbs as Coll de la Creueta, Collada de Toses, Coll de la Merolla and finally Coll de Pal (as an optional climb, given that arriving to Bagà cyclists did already 143 km). Do not hesitate to climb up to Coll de Pal if you want a demanding cycling challenge!
Coll de Pal is an amazing hidden gem in the Catalan Pyrenees. It is a very steep Hors Categorie climb which deserves much more fame than actually has. The overall numbers say it all. It is a very steep climb getting 2104 meters, with an overall elevation of 1267 meters in 19,3 km, which means
Vallter 2000 is one of the gems of the spanish Pyrenees. Reaching 2114 mts height, the total length of the climb is 11,2 km from Setcases with 7% average gradient and some full kilometers at 10%. Steep, very steep! This climb has just one side, then when included in a race it has to be stage ending. This has been the case in Volta a Catalunya years 1986 (winner Juan Fernández), 1992 (winner Tony Rominger, ahead of A.Martin and a certain Indurain...), 2013 (Nairo Quintana) and 2014 (winner T. Van Garderen) Here you can see the Strava segment for this climb. There is a certain Romain Bardet as KOM... A real climber, no doubt.
Vallter 2000 is one of the gems of the spanish Pyrenees. Reaching 2114 mts height, the total length of the climb is 11,2 km from Setcases with 7% average gradient and some full kilometers at 10%. Steep, very steep! This climb has just one side, then when included in a race it has to be
It is very difficult to make a ranking of the most demanding cycling climbs in the Pyrenees. One of the newest climbs asphalted is Col du Portet, which was compared to the Tourmalet by the TdF director, not a joke... This new climb will have really big numbers, and deserves to be among the king climbs in the Pyrenees. There are a couple of lists you might like to know: Highest cycling climbs in the Pyrenees (asphalted): Port d'Envalira (Andorra/France): 2407 mts height Port de Cabus (Andorra, just one side) 2300 mts height Gavarnie-Boucharo (Luz St Sauveur-France) 2270 mts height Col de Portet (St Lary Soulan-France) 2215 mts height Cim de Coma Morera (Bourg Madame) 2205 mts height Cycling climbs with more elevation in the Pyrenees: Port d'Envalira 1687 mts elevation (from Ax Les Thermes) Col de Pailheres 1601 mts elevation (from Axat) Gavarnie-Boucharo 1560 mts elevation (from Luz St Sauveur) Pierre St Martin 1510 mts elevation (from Arette) Col du Tourmalet 1405 mts elevation (from Luz St Sauveur) Col de Portet 1400 mts elevation (from St Lary Soulan) Cycling climbs with the highest average gradient in the Pyrenees: Erroymendi (from Laugibar) 9,58% for 10,2 km Burdinkurutxeta (from Bassaburua) 8,76% for 9,3 km Col de Mente (from St Beat) 8,70% km for 9,7 km Artzamendi (from Itxassou) 8,61% for 10,3 km Some of these climbs are included in our trips along the Pyrenees, especially in our Transpyrenees trip. If they are not and you are very interested, just let us know and we will custom the trip for you. We are always happy to include the most demanding and nicest climbs in the routes!
It is very difficult to make a ranking of the most demanding cycling climbs in the Pyrenees. One of the newest climbs asphalted is Col du Portet, which was compared to the Tourmalet by the TdF director, not a joke… This new climb will have really big numbers, and deserves to be among the king
We are glad to have new climbs in the Pyrenees included in Tour de France 2018 route! Col de Portet, 2215 mts, 1390 m elev. This is a BIG climb! Possibly we will make a reckon this autumn before the snow covers the mountains... #tdf2018 #climbsbeforeyourdie #coldeportet #pyrenees
We are glad to have new climbs in the Pyrenees included in Tour de France 2018 route! Col de Portet, 2215 mts, 1390 m elev. This is a BIG climb! Possibly we will make a reckon this autumn before the snow covers the mountains… #tdf2018 #climbsbeforeyourdie #coldeportet #pyrenees
