On the assault of the mythical pass of the Pyrenees, by bike!

Natural border of France and Spain, the Pyrenees have never ceased to fascinate. To such a point that some try to go on their bike conquest, like an Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault or Tadej Pogačar.

From the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, Pyrenees stand between Spain and France Like an insurmountable wall. This wall has at all times awakened the curiosity of the human who, although fearful, has always wanted to reach its summits. And if this is done today, the mountainous mountain range is not less impressive, with its winding valleys, magnificent lakes, steep peaks and steep passes.

But the Pyrenees, it is also a part of the history of France and Spain, where the two crowns challenged for local sovereignty, before the ratification of a homonym treaty that will rely on the mountain to determine the borders. Finally, more recently, the Pyrenees have marked another history, the Tour de France. With the Alps, the stages passing through the extreme south-west of the country often sealed the fate of the race, where the Maurice Garin, Bernard Thévenet, Miguel Indurain or Alberto Contador went to search for the precious Yellow Jersey.

By seeing the greatest cyclists on the planet climbing the Pyrenean pass, the amateurs, fascinated, ended up throwing themselves at the assault of the Franco-Spanish summits. Wanderlix proposes to do the same, with an adventure on the bitumen of the most mythical collars of the Pyrenees. Saddle!

The Col d’Aubisque

Our adventure begins in Laruns, a few steps from the Pic du Midi d’Ossau, in the eponymous valley. The place is perfect to start the first adventure, in the middle of a superb setting.

However, admiration is only short-lived, since the bike awaits us. The goal of the day is simple: to reach the pass of the Aubisque. For this, it will be necessary to come to the end of the 16 kilometers, with a rough average slope and a portion reaching 13%, the hardest we will face. So you understood it, the pyrenean challenge begins on the wheel hats!

If the rise may hurt, the eyes will be delighted. Indeed, the panorama is exceptional. The few turns allow you to discover the resort of the Gourette and its green nature. Then the road is reduced and the mountains surround us more and more. The decor is magical, as beautiful as the effort is energetic.

Once at the top, the reward is offered to us. The panoramic view of the entire Ossau valley is splendid. It was worth suffering. Yet, despite so much effort, some mountains still dominate us. It is at this precise moment that we realize the immensity of the Pyrenees. You feel ridiculously small, vulnerable, but above all amazed.

The collar of the Tentes and the Cirque de Gavarnie

For this second challenge, and after resting well, direction 50 km further east, in Luz Saint Saviour, in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park . This time, we double the distance since it is indeed 30 kilometers that await us.

Rest assured, the first portion is relatively easy. Indeed, on the first 20 kilometers, the slope was not more than 6.3%. So enjoy it to admire the mountains around you. Here nature remained sovereign. Therefore, only grey, wood and green dress the landscape.

Subsequently, the effort intensified drastically. While we were easy, well hung to the saddle on a slope to 2%, a crazy portion to 9.7% invites. Afterwards, the percentages drop to 8%, before offering two passages to more than 10% where the mind must be at the rendezvous.

But as in the Aubisque, the effort is so worth it! Once the 30 kilometers of climbing, our reward is none other than one of the most beautiful places in France: Cirque de Gavarnie. From the summit of Tentes, the view of this exceptional circus is unlike anything. Time stops, so we are obnounced by the proposed show.

Moreover, if your legs accept it, a walk-down in the heart of the circus is a wonderful idea, in order to discover the rocks, waterfalls and gave it.

The pass of Peyresourde

As we say, never without two without three... See more! Our Pyrenean getaway is far from over, even if for the third pass, the distance is reduced. Indeed, in order not to finish carbonized, it is 9 “small” kilometers that await us, from Avajan. The pass planned today is a monument of the Great Boucle: the pass of Peyresourde. It is one of the most common pyrenean passes in the cycling race. What to delight cycling enthusiasts.

Nevertheless, reducing Peyresourde to the Tour would be a mistake. Wonderful landscapes will accompany us throughout our climb. Only on the first meters of the pasture, the view of the pastures and the mountain will make us forget the arrival of higher percentages.

But the moment not to be missed comes higher, when we arrive at the Lac de Loudervielle. Let us open our eyes and take advantage of it, because we are at the most beautiful point of view of the valley of the Neste of Louron, where we see the beautiful villages around. In the second plan, new summits, always bigger, more impressive. The magic of the Pyrenees operates again, to the point of giving us chills.

The last two kilometers of ascent offer us another unique panorama. The road shrinks, leaving place to the mountain and its greenery. More than ever, nature reigns on the plateau, as if humans did not exist. To give the impression of having traveled centuries back. These places are increasingly rare. Therefore, let’s take advantage of the moment and enjoy our privilege...

Before we go down, let's go to a small gastronomic reward. Let’s take a table at the crêperie of the cervix, to enjoy a good crêpe with a little cider. A Breton parenthesis that doesn't hurt.

The Aspin Pass

More than two! The final sprint of our challenge is launched. To conclude this adventure, there are two other mythical passes from the Pyrenees, but also from the Tour de France, standing in front of us. Let’s start with the Aspin pass, whose difficulty is less, but the landscapes as exceptional as the previous ones.

To realize this, it is enough to start! After leaving Arreau, the climb will allow us to admire the village from above. The latter is part of the so-called "cuvettes" communes, surrounded by mountains. Except that in this specific case, the mountains create a serious difference, with peaks sometimes exceeding the clouds. As if the mountain never stopped...

Among these summits is the famous Pic de Ger, which peaks at 2 613m. Arreau is thus dominated by a Pyrenees monster.

However, this does not justify admiring the view too long. There is a gravel collar, especially since at the top, the show is just as beautiful. To believe it, go to the top. Once arrived, it's acres of meadows standing down. Acrophobes abstain, so much the void is important here. But what a decor!

The Tourmalet and the Pic du Midi de Bigorre

Here we are! The ultimate challenge for our cycling challenge in the heart of the Pyrenees. And to conclude this sporting adventure, the final is grand. Cyclists and Tour de France all dream of climbing its slopes.

Yes, we will attack the Tourmalet, the most crossed pass by the Grande Boucle, the epic dual theatre. Bernard Thévenet, Federico Bahamontes, Fausto Coppi, legends have come to tame this giant of the Pyrenees, writing the legend of the Tour. The purists also remember the confrontation between Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador in 2010, where the Luxemburger took over the Spanish yellow jersey.

The beginning of the ascension begins in Luz Saint Saviour, with relatively simple first percentages to be addressed. Until kilometer 7, it is easy to observe the landscape while pedalling. The opportunity to enjoy the view of the beautiful valley of Barèges, whose peaks are snowed almost all year round.

As a result, the rise is complicated, the percentages increase. Finish the straight lines, now the road winds to the right and left. At the same time, superb pastures are unveiled in the second plan, offering us a beautiful decor.

There are only five kilometers left to pedal. In a kilometre, we will be able to borrow the Laurent Fignon track, renowned for the late champion. However, take the time to travel the kilometer. Indeed, the portion offers a clear view on which the Pic du Midi de Bigorre stands, recognizable thanks to its observatory. Proof that the Tourmalet is not just a sporting attraction, but also the perfect place for observation.

Once the Laurent Fignon route is reached, the final bouquet begins. The whole surrounding nature is fantastic. We no longer know where to give head, except on our legs, carbonized by the 10.2% slope of the last three kilometers.

But we did! The summit is finally over. We have just passed the challenge! Enjoy the panorama, the smile anchored on our face. It is beautiful, like the effort provided. Our adventure ends at the top of the Tourmalet, before perhaps to meet for other challenges. In the Alps, who knows...