Glorious mountain passes – Central Pyrenees by road bike
Road Cycling Collection by Ana- Remoteana
11
Tours
52:30 h
520 mi
76,725 ft
This Collection includes some of the most spectacular mountain passes in the Central Pyrenees. I propose six routes on the Spanish side and four on the French side, plus a special ride that crosses the border from one side to the other. The landscape here is rocky, with wild fauna and flora. You’ll enjoy incredible views as you climb impressive passes and get up close to the mountains. These adventures reveal the contrasts between the two countries and the Pyrenees mountain range.
In terms of difficulty, you'll find a little bit of everything. Each route offers at least one climb. Distances range from 50 to 105 kilometres (31 to 65 mi), with elevation changes of up to 3,500 metres (11,500 ft). But don't panic, there are also routes with a total of 800 to 900 metres (2,620 to 2,950 ft) of elevation gain. In short, you can choose a route that suits your fitness level. It’s also possible to split a long route up into several days and spend the nights in villages along the way.
You can do these routes from mid-spring to mid-autumn, depending on the year and the season’s snow conditions. Remember that you’re in the mountains and riding up to high altitudes and down again, so the weather can change very abruptly from one moment to the next. I recommend always carrying a waterproof coat and wearing layers. Check the weather forecast to avoid any surprises and to make sure you’re set to ride in good conditions.
These rides through the Central Pyrenees lead along roads that are well maintained, although some are better than others. They’re all superb for cycling and you’ll have loads of fun on your road bike. If you ride during the summer, you’ll share the roads with more motorised traffic. That’s why I recommend coming in spring, when the days are longer and the traffic isn’t as heavy. Otherwise, early autumn is also a good option.
Generally speaking, drivers in both France and Spain are used to sharing the road with cyclists. However, you may still encounter less patient people so wear a helmet, respect other road users and take care.
Reaching the start of each route is easiest and fastest with your own car. Most of the routes are loops or out and back rides. You’ll find convenient parking in the towns and villages where the routes start. These places are used to welcoming large numbers of visitors so have good infrastructure.
On The Map
Tours
- 03:3438.4 mi10.8 mph5,250 ft8,275 ftExpertExpert road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
This Route crosses three of the most emblematic ports of the central French Pyrenees. To carry it out, I suggest you park your car at the highest point of the port of Portalet: there is enough parking, and more if you have gotten up early.
The route begins downhill. Nothing more and nothing less than…
- 03:3937.2 mi10.2 mph5,250 ft5,250 ftExpertExpert road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
The port of Cotefablo is one of the most emblematic in the province of Huesca. It has been gaining popularity in recent years due to the Treparriscos cycling tour, which is held every year in June.
This pass joins the towns of Broto and Biescas in a 13 kilometer climb. On this Route you go back and forth…
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- 02:3532.9 mi12.7 mph3,000 ft5,675 ftExpertExpert road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
In this third proposal, I again bet on the port of Cotefablo. However, this time, you leave from Baños de Panticosa. It is one of the most picturesque and scenic routes in the Aragonese Pyrenees.
On this climb you will go up the course of the Gállego River while enjoying some of the most spectacular enclaves…
- 04:1335.7 mi8.5 mph6,525 ft6,525 ftExpertExpert road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Benasque is par excellence one of the most emblematic enclaves of the Pyrenees. Feel happy because just being in this town is luck and absolute joy. It has sufficient infrastructure so that you can park your car and buy a snack, as well as refill the bottles, before leaving with your bicycle.
You leave…
- 05:3753.8 mi9.6 mph8,675 ft8,675 ftExpertExpert road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
This Route is probably the queen stage of the entire Collection. I suggest you leave your car in the parking lot of the restaurant that is located parallel to the road from Lleida to Vielha and France, the N-230. Shortly after starting you will see the Garona River, which will accompany you during part…
- 06:2656.9 mi8.8 mph9,875 ft9,875 ftExpertExpert road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
This Route through the French Pyrenees is the most physically demanding of the entire Collection. Although they all reveal a unique part of the Pyrenees, this one takes you to visit very special places within the mountain range. It is a round trip route from Saint-Lary. It thus reaches the Piau Engaly…
- 05:4251.2 mi9.0 mph9,550 ft9,550 ftExpertExpert road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
You are in front of the most famous and iconic Route of the Pyrenees. Nothing more and nothing less than the Tourmalet, famous not only for being the highest in the mountain range but also for its popularity and appearance in the Tour de France for more than a century.
Ste. Marie de Campan is the start…
- 02:4032.4 mi12.1 mph3,050 ft3,050 ftExpertExpert road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
This circular route of just over 50 kilometers is a good option to enjoy the surroundings of Jaca, one of the busiest towns in the central Pyrenees. Located on the banks of the Aragón River, I invite you to get off your bike and tour its old town and cultural heritage. Examples of this are the Romanesque…
- 06:1756.9 mi9.1 mph9,600 ft9,575 ftExpertExpert road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
You start this Route in Aragnouet, where you can leave the car without problems. Just five kilometers later you arrive at Arreau, another pretty village located at the confluence of La Neste and Neste du Louron. It is the starting point of many emblematic ports in this area.
Once you cross the spa town…
- 07:4986.6 mi11.1 mph10,200 ft10,200 ftExpertExpert road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Starting from the curious and beautiful can of Vielha, I suggest you this also mythical ascent in the Pyrenees: nothing more and nothing less than the climb to Port de La Bonaigua. However, before getting on the bike, I invite you to take a walk through the capital of the Val d'Aran region. Vielha is…
- 03:5838.3 mi9.7 mph5,750 ft5,750 ftExpertExpert road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
This route that starts from Vielha is one of the mythical ones of the Tour of Spain. You will not only enjoy a cycling environment, but also a paradisiacal environment and nature in its purest form. Starting from Vielha, the capital of the region, is always a good opportunity to have a good breakfast…
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Collection Stats
- Tours11
- Distance520 mi
- Duration52:30 h
- Elevation76,725 ft
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