Cycling cols of the Béarn: the complete guide
The Béarn is the massif of long, steady climbs: few double-digit kilometres, but ascents that often exceed 25–30 km. You climb with patience rather than power, and you are rewarded with some of the most beautiful glacial cirques in the Pyrenees.
Aubisque: the Tour legend
28.7 km at 4.4% from Argelès-Gazost via the Soulor: one of the cols
most visited by the Tour de France, between the Cirque du Litor and the Gourette ski resort. Steady but
long: the real trap is managing your effort over a good three hours in the saddle.
The border giants
- Col du Pourtalet: 28.6 km at 4.5% from Laruns, the Spanish border at the end of the road, with the Pic du Midi d'Ossau in view the whole way;
- Col du Somport: 31.1 km at 3.9% from Bedous, the longest in the massif, an ancient Roman road into Aragon;
- La Pierre Saint-Martin: 26.5 km from Isaba on the Spanish side, with sections up to 16% that contrast with the very gentle average.
The most accessible: Marie-Blanque
10.6 km at 5.5% from Bielle: much shorter than its neighbours, with a real kick in the final 3 kilometres. Ideal for testing your legs before taking on the Aubisque or the Somport.
Good to know
The Béarn cols are often the last to open in spring and the first to close in autumn; the massif accumulates a lot of snow on its north side. Always check the live road status on each climb's page: the Aubisque and the Pierre-Saint-Martin still close regularly in June.