ル・プラの峠・トップ5

From Axat, it's a long climb, 18km. It's quite beautiful down in the gorges, then a few kilometers of fairly monotonous woods. Arriving on the plateau, it clears up but it's rural. The impressive view is worth it when you reach the pass. Going down there must be a blast, the tarmac is good, it's quite wide and there's little traffic. I went down via Escouloubre: the tarmac is bad, gravel, but the forest is enchanting! Why not go the other way, then, up via Escouloubre and down via Bousquet / Roquefort etc.?

The Col de Pailhères isn't the most well-known of the Pyrenean passes, yet it's a concentration of everything cyclists are looking for. From Ax-les-Thermes, the slopes of this hors catégorie route constantly vary, requiring constant adjustments to finish at an altitude of over 2,000 meters in a superb setting.

One of the best experiences on my entire tour. I have this picture with the view of the mountains as my screen background. The roads are still closed, the snow is piled up meters high on the sides and at the same time there is not a single car on the road. Simply fantastic

Here you can barely reach the 2000m altitude. The area is wonderful

I have visited the Col de Pailhères on several occasions and in all seasons of the year. In summer it is very common to find cows, horses and sheep at the top. It is an enigmatic and wonderful port. It is very hard on both sides since it has many kilometers with a slope greater than 10%. It is one of my Top-10 in the Pyrenees. I leave you the link with its altimetry prepared by @cyclingcols --> http://www.cyclingcols.com/col/Pailheres

The Portella de la Grava is a pass located at an altitude of 2,426 meters. It offers breathtaking views and is an iconic passage for mountain enthusiasts. Through this pass you have scenic access between the northern and southern slopes of the Pyrenees. Its steep path and exceptional panoramas make it a popular place for adventurers in search of natural discoveries.

The Col de Pailhères, or Port de Pailhères, is one of the emblematic passes of the Pyrenees and the Tour de France. Culminating at 2,001 meters above sea level, it is one of the few passes in the Pyrenees to exceed the symbolic bar of 2,000 meters. The climb from Mijanès is 10.6 kilometers long with an average of 8.2%, including some passages at more than 10%. It is also possible to climb from Ax-les-Thermes by means of a climb of 18.6 kilometers with an average of 6.9%.

Great not so easy pass!