Pyrenees: Great Mountain Passes
From Tourmalet to Aubisque, the legendary Tour de France passes between sky and earth.
Five days in the Hautes-Pyrenees, linking the passes that built the Tour de France legend. The route climbs the Tourmalet, the most frequently crossed col in the race's history at 2,115 metres, crosses the Aubisque with its balcony road between the Ossau valley and Argeles-Gazost, then reaches the Cirque de Gavarnie, a UNESCO-listed natural amphitheatre crowned by a 423-metre waterfall. The Pic du Midi observatory at 2,877 metres, Cauterets with its Pont d'Espagne, and Lourdes complete the loop. This is high mountain country reachable by car, but the passes close from November to June depending on snow cover, so check before setting out. Start early: heat storms often break in the early afternoon.
Practical info
- Stops
- 6
- Duration
- 5 days
- Transport
- 🚗 Car
- Distance
- ≈ 150 km
- Best time
- Spring and summer
Itinerary
- 1
Col du Tourmalet
Le col le plus franchi du Tour de France, 2 115 m d'altitude.
- 2
Col d'Aubisque
Route spectaculaire entre vallée d'Ossau et Argelès-Gazost.
- 3
Cirque de Gavarnie
Amphithéâtre naturel UNESCO, cascade de 423 mètres.
- 4
Pic du Midi
Observatoire à 2 877 m, panorama à 360° sur la chaîne.
- 5
Cauterets
Station thermale, Pont d'Espagne et lac de Gaube.
- 6
Lourdes
Sanctuaire marial, château fort et funiculaire du Pic du Jer.
