My À La Carte Mountains
Here's a quick summary of my favourite climbs. You can read my full blog post here on my site or check out my RIDEwithGPS link for ride reports. In the low cloud and fog, the trees resemble mystical creatures that have claimed the higher mountain. It's a challenging yet enchanting environment that leaves a frozen smile on our faces despite the struggle.
Here is a summary of my usual climbs. I climb some more frequently because they are conveniently close to home, which is wonderful. A few others are about an hour's drive away, and naturally, there's Ventoux, which is a six-hour drive from here.
CLIMB PROFILE: Starting from Laruns: Distance 16.60 km, Starting altitude: 519 m, Ending altitude: 1,709 m, Average gradient 7.17%, maximum 13%. Completion is possible in less than an hour, depending on your strength and skill.
The route begins in the West, at the village of Laruns. The initial 6.3 kilometres leading to Eaux-Bonnes are fairly easy, and this is where I refill my extra bottle with fresh drinking water from the fountain near the tourist centre and restrooms in Eaux-Bonnes.
CLIMB PROFILE: Departing from Bielle: Length 11.23 km, Altitude at departure: 448m, Altitude at the end: 1,035 m, Average percentage gradient 5.2%, maximum 14%.
It can be achieved in under an hour, depending on your strength and ability. We like to break the climb into bite-sized chunks and set goals for each section, and it has a motivational way to envision the ride mentally, with spectacular views of the Ossau Valley.
CLIMB PROFILE: Starting from Escot: Distance 9.10 km, Starting altitude: 328 m, Ending altitude: 1,035 m, Average gradient 7.7% - Completion is possible in under an hour, depending on your strength and skill.
The route begins in Escot. On the right, a bubbling river winds through the few houses, with rocks and tree bases covered in vibrant green moss. As we leave the last house in the village, the scenery shifts to towering bare rock walls above us, and the temperature starts to drop. The river moves to the left, and you start to feel at one with the mountain.
The next challenge is the narrow road, and as we cycle through shaded areas, I brace for the significant challenge ahead. Mountain springs are scattered throughout the climb, and up to this point, the gradient has averaged between 6 and 8%.
CLIMB PROFILE: Starting from Ferrières: Length 12 km, Starting altitude: 574 m, Ending altitude: 1,474 m, Average gradient 7.5%, maximum 9%. Completion time can be under an hour, depending on your strength and ability.
We began this ride from home, covering a distance of 25 km to the starting point. The valley roads of the Pyrenees are narrower and less busy with traffic, and the villages you pass through feature genuine boulangeries and Epiciers rather than tourist shops. This environment seems to soothe you and make you feel more relaxed.
The journey begins distinctly with a sharp bend out of the village of Ferrières, and the road narrows as you start ascending through the alpine forest. The forest provides refreshing shade, which helps calm my nervous energy on a hot day. The incline is consistent with some steep sections, but it's a steady climb with no surprises. As you ascend, the trees gradually give way to grassy pastures and open spaces. The higher you climb, the smaller you feel. You are amidst the pristine beauty of the Pyrenees. The BBC describes this section of the road as 'the most spectacular view in Europe', and I must agree.
CLIMB PROFILE: Starting from Laruns: Distance 28.7 km, Starting altitude: 500 m, Final altitude: 1,794 m, Average gradient 4.5%, peak gradient 9%. Completion time can be less than an hour, depending on your strength and skill.
The Col du Pourtalet, starting from Laruns. The average gradient is significant, with several sections exceeding 9%. The lower slopes are mainly surrounded by alpine forests, but the latter half of the climb offers spectacular views of the rocky peaks of the Pyrenees. You'll be enveloped by a refreshingly pure landscape, with peaks mirrored in lakes, waterfalls, and mountain streams.
CLIMB PROFILE: Starting from Arette: Distance 25.8 km, Starting altitude: 300 m, Final altitude: 1,760 m, Average gradient 5.68%, maximum 16%.
It can be completed in less than an hour, depending on your strength and skill.
This climb, with its magnitude and accessibility, is worthy of the Tour de France. Nestled in the corner of the South Western Pyrenees, it offers a scale and beauty so rare that it's surprising more people aren't aware of it.
CLIMB PROFILE: Starting from the north (D921 via Viscos): Distance 14.2 km, Starting altitude: 622 m, Ending altitude: 1,718 m, Average gradient 7.7%, maximum 12%. Depending on your strength and ability, it can be completed in just over an hour.
CLIMB PROFILE: Starting from Luz-Saint-Saveur: Distance 14.7 km, Starting altitude: 622 m, Ending altitude: 1,718 m, Average gradient 6.9%, maximum 10%. It can be completed in just over an hour, depending on your strength and ability. Luz Ardiden has witnessed much drama as professionals battle their way to the ski station summit. This 13.3 km climb, with an average gradient of 7.4%, starts gently, ascending through the woods above the thermal baths at Luz-Saint-Sauveur.
The road becomes significantly steeper as you enter the village of Grust, where a series of hairpin bends begins. Initially climbing through the trees, these switchbacks soon reach more open terrain. There’s a stunning natural arena, with the steep banks between the switchbacks allowing spectators to see the riders from 3-4 km away. The final kilometres are a bit easier than the climb’s average, leading to the small ski station at the summit. There are spectacular views on the lower slope looking back toward Luz-Saint-Sauveur and beyond, where you can see the majestic Col du Tourmalet rising from the valley.
CLIMB PROFILE: Departing from Argeles-Gazost) Length 17.3 km, Altitude at departure: 426 m, Altitude at the end: 1,629 m, Average percentage gradient 7.6 %, maximum 10.7%. It can be achieved in just over an hour, depending on your strength and ability.
Deep in the heart of the Midi-Pyrenees, Hautacam may not have the length, height or prestige of the Col du Tourmalet, but that is precisely the deceptive nature it uses to lull you into a false sense of security when tackling its slopes for the first time.
The road hits you hard from the start and continues to undulate like a roller-coaster, offering moments of respite before pitching up again to over double figures.
CLIMB PROFILES: Starting from the east (Sault): Distance 25.6 km, Starting altitude: 759 m, Final altitude: 1,912 m, Average gradient 4.5%, maximum 12%.
Starting from the west (Malaucène): Distance 21.2 km, Starting altitude: 377 m, Final altitude: 1,912 m, Average gradient 7.2%, maximum 12%.
Starting from the south (Bédoin), the most renowned route: Distance 22.7 km, Starting altitude: 290 m, Final altitude: 1,912 m, Average gradient 7.15%, maximum 10.8%.
It can be completed in just over an hour, depending on your strength and skill.
Visible from 100 kilometres in every direction, the Mont-Ventoux summit seems perpetually snow-covered, even at the peak of summer. It has an almost lunar appearance, a result of repeated forest fires and deforestation that started in the Middle Ages, earning it the nickname "Mont Bald".
As its name implies (Ventoux means windy in French), the summit can be quite windy, especially with the mistral; wind speeds up to 320 km/h have been recorded. Mont Ventoux is one of the most renowned and legendary mountains in Europe. Its relentless slope can intimidate even the most seasoned cyclist. You might climb it once without fear, but not twice... Mont-Ventoux shows no mercy.
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