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Without a doubt, the Col de la Piedra de Saint Martin or Pierre Saint-Martin is one of the Top 10 in the whole of the Pyrenees. Without exceeding 2000 metres of altitude, it is a very long pass, with a lot of accumulated gradient (due to the innumerable French slopes, the gradient is 1,450 metres), with very hard slopes and several kilometres above 10%, with wonderful landscapes and panoramic views and with little traffic, except for the slopes crossed by the main road (D132 in France, the NA 137 in Spain). It is a pass with many slopes; in Europe there are few other passes that have as many slopes as this one (col de Turini, Passo delle Erbe, would be comparable in number of slopes approximately). I have only climbed it by 2 slopes: (i) my first time was from Lourdios Ichère, crossing the col de Labays and the col de Soudet. Simply spectacular; (ii) I have subsequently climbed the Spanish side on several occasions, which is unique, and which starts from Belagua and crosses the Belagua cross-country ski resort to reach the mountain pass. It is also very beautiful, with a landscape and views different from the north-east side. If I had to choose one of the two, I liked the north-west side better because it is more remote, harder and in my opinion more authentic. It is also a culturally special mountain pass because the Tribute of the 3 cows takes place on its summit every 13th of July, which is considered the oldest treaty in force in Europe. So... you know... you cannot miss the opportunity to come here and enjoy this wonderful jewel of the Pyrenees!!!!

I would not recommend right now. They recently did a chip and seal so a LOT of loose gravel. I live in the area and even the road to Osse en Aspe.

That's wonderful

Bucolic

Twinned with the city of Jaca, Oloron-Sainte-Marie is made up of three neighborhoods, each with a well-defined character. That of Notre-Dame, where the Church of Notre-Dame is located and the confluence of two rivers, the Gave d'Ossau and the d'Aspe, the houses on the river and the bridges save them. In the public park we can see the monuments in tribute to those who were part of the resistance during the German invasion. The Cathedral neighborhood in the upper area of the city with its narrow streets and the Cathedral of Sta. María, and the Santa Cruz neighborhood where the church of the same name is located, built on a hill that presides over the city and offers spectacular views. spectacular, especially during sunset.

A very irregular climb, with even a descending passage, which gives the opportunity to recover after a few slightly steeper passages. But not really any big difficulty on this pass.

Culminating at 1,540 meters above sea level, the Soudet pass is one of the first to be encountered from the Atlantic coast. The various climbs that lead to it are relatively long and maintain low average percentages despite a few passages around 10%.

Very nice road that connects Lurbe-Saint-Christau to Arudy. Little used, it winds through a beautiful forest. On the way, you pass in front of the Maquis du Bager stele.