Local Loops - The 3 valleys, 3 Cols in 80km, 1,928 m

Oct 24, 2024

3 min read

Updated: Aug 12

Arette, Aspe and Ossau Valleys

One element I always look for when researching route maps to seek new rides is roads highlighted with a green edge indicating scenic routes.

Ossau Valley

Three-quarters of this sortie through the Arette, Aspe and Ossau valleys travels on crossroads classified in this way, including crossing one of the Tour de France's favourite Pyrenean passes, the deceptively tricky Col de Marie-Blanque.

Col de Marie-Blanque, west side from Escot

This excursion avoids higher passes, making it ideal for acclimating on the first day, providing an accessible option during intensive col collecting, or when the weather is poor, and peaks are obscured. Connected to Arette, the route follows the D918 for nearly half its length, parallel to the Pyrenean ridge. It begins in woodland, then descends into agricultural land, with foothills to the north and mountains to the south.

After a few kilometres, the D918 merges with the N134 towards Asasp, then heads east towards Arudy. It ascends through the Bois du Bager, winding through bends, and regains altitude as it approaches Arudy in the lower Ossau valley, leading to the Aubisque and Pourtalet passes.

At the D920 intersection, head towards Pau. This route diverts traffic from village centres within the triangle formed by this road and the main D934, which offers a faster valley route. These roads meet at the second large roundabout. Follow the D934 for 3km, then turn into Bielle on the D294, signposted towards the Marie-Blanque.

The two sides of this renowned pass differ despite their similar length. On the eastern side, the road ascends steeply around Bilhéres, offering views of the Ossau valley and the Falaise aux Vautours, where bearded vultures soar. The road then reaches the Plateau de Bénou, a popular camping spot when the Tour passes through, but is also used by livestock at other times. After a flat stretch, the road climbs steeply through woodland before easing near the summit.

The western flank is direct and steep, descending quickly towards Escot with an average gradient of over 11% for the first half of the 9km drop, alongside the Barescou. At the T-junction in Escot, turn left towards Oloron and follow the main road south for 5km to reach the Col d'Ichère on the right. This col is similar to the Marie-Blanqu, with bends on the eastern side and a straighter western side, but it's much steeper from the east, averaging 9.5% for the first 3km ascending to the plateau.

Oloron

I enjoy this pass, with its extensive views, followed by the similar Col de Lie between Lourdios-Ichère and Arette. It's narrow, with grass, gorse, and cattle claiming it as their own. Minutes from the summit, the road returns you to Arette, covering three valleys and three cols in just 80 km.

Route in reserve

The majority of the climbing occurs in the first 30 km, with the Marie-Blanque ascent from Escot featuring a challenging 10% gradient over the last 4 km, testing many Tour contenders.

Climbing out of the Ossau valley on the Marie-Blanque

Distance	80.0km
Elevation gain	1,928m
Highest point	1,035m
Est. moving time	3-5hrs
Degree of difficulty	2.5
Climbs	Col de Marie-Blanque (1,035m)
	Col d'Ichère (680m)
	Col de Lie (601m)

Parcours

0km	Arette
10km	D918/N134 (left)
11.5km	Asasp N134?D918 (right) 1
31km	Arudy D918/D920 (right)
33.5km	D920/D934 (right)
36.5km	Bielle D934/D294 (right) 2
48km	Col de Marie-Blabque 3
57km	Escot d294?D238 (left)
57.5km	D238/N134 (left) 4
62.5km	N134/D241 (right)
66.5km	Ol d'Ichère 5
72km	Lourdiod Ichére
	D241/D341 (left)
74.5km	Col de Lie 6
80.0km	Arette