Road · France
Col du Soulor from Argelès-Gazost
A mountainous 20 km road cycling route from Argelès-Gazost through Arras-en-Lavedan, Sireix and Bun, with 1,020 m of climbing over the Argelès-Gazost climb and the Arrens-Marsous climb. Most of it (18 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 20.2 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,020 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 27 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- May to Oct
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Argelès-Gazost
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,020 m
- 20 km
Route description
- Argelès-Gazost
- Argelès-Gazost climb
- Arras-en-Lavedan
- Sireix
- Bun
- Gaillagos
- Marsous
- Arrens-Marsous
- Arrens-Marsous climb
The route starts in Argelès-Gazost at 444 m and heads through several small places including Gez (0.8 km), Arras-en-Lavedan (4 km), and Sireix (6.6 km). The first climb begins just after 0.3 km, lasting 7.5 km with 391 m of gain at an average gradient of 5.2%, reaching 837 m altitude. After passing Gaillagos (8.5 km), the road continues through Aucun, Marsous, and Arrens-Marsous.
The second climb starts around 12.5 km and covers 7.7 km with 596 m of elevation gain at a steeper average gradient of 7.7%. This takes you to the highest point, Col du Soulor, at 1464 m after 20.2 km. The route mostly follows main roads, including 18 km on D 918, with 18.3 km without cycle lanes. The surface is almost entirely paved (97%) with very little gravel.
Along the way, there are bakeries at 4 km and 12.8 km and a café at the finish (20.2 km). Drinking water is available near the start and close to the finish, with the longest stretch without café, shop or water of 6.9 km between 12.9 and 19.8 km. There are several toilets and bike facilities at the start and closer to 12.7 km and the finish. Notable nearby peaks include La Cuyerosse at 1215 m near 9.8 km and Turon d'Ompré at 1511 m near 18 km.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the Argelès-Gazost climb (7.5 km at 5.2 %) and the Arrens-Marsous climb (7.7 km at 7.7 %).
- Tops out at 1,464 m, 20.2 km in.
Highlights
- Two climbs: 7.5 km at 5.2%, then 7.7 km at 7.7%
- Top elevation 1464 m at Col du Soulor
- Near peaks La Cuyerosse (1215 m) and Turon d'Ompré (1511 m)
- Bakeries at 4 km and 12.8 km, café at finish
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argelès-Gazost climb | 0.3 km | 7.5 km · 391 m · 5.2 % · max 9.4 % | 7.5 km · 391 m · 5.2 % | 837 m |
| Arrens-Marsous climb | 12.5 km | 7.7 km · 596 m · 7.7 % · max 9.4 % | 7.7 km · 596 m · 7.7 % | 1464 m |
Argelès-Gazost climb · full ascent, starts at 0.3 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Arrens-Marsous climb · full ascent, starts at 12.4 km
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 89% is on main roads without a cycle lane. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 89% main road · 6% quiet street · 5% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 18 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Main roads used
- D 918 (18 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 97% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved and 2% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 81% climbing · 2% descending · 17% flat
- Steep sections
- 11 km over 5% · 4.9 km over 8%
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 41 cafés and restaurants, 9 shops, 19 water points, 2 petrol stations, 16 public toilets and 5 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmAu Primerose · restaurant · on the route
- 0 kmPharmacie Marsan · pharmacy · 110 m off route
- 0.2 kmRelais d'Azun Total · petrol station · on the route
- 0.5 kmToilets · on the route
- 0.6 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 0.7 kmL'Etape des Pyrénées · bike shop · 230 m off route
- 1 kmMarché de producteurs - Argelès-Gazost · market · 40 m off route
- 3.7 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 4 kmBoulangerie aux délices de sophie et sébastien · bakery · on the route
- 11.3 kmFontaine · drinking water · 100 m off route
- 11.3 kmToilets · on the route
- 12.6 kmProxi · convenience store · on the route
- 12.6 kmPharmacie du Val d'Azun · pharmacy · on the route
- 12.7 kmRepair stand · 170 m off route
- 12.8 kmBoulangerie cafe · bakery · on the route
- 19.8 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 19.8 kmToilets · 30 m off route
- 19.8 kmBike rental · 30 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0.7 km — Tour de Vieuzac (castle)
- 10.1 km — Moulin du Boularic (attraction)
- 19.6 km — Belvédère du Val d'Azun (viewpoint)
Stay after this ride
- Le chalet du Soulor · hostel · 630 m from the finish
- maison camelat · guest house · 3.8 km from the finish
- Gîte-auberge Camélat · hostel · 3.8 km from the finish
- GCU Arrens-Marsous · campsite · 3.9 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- La Boulange (140 m), Boulangerie patisserie Dirasse (110 m), Au Primerose (30 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Snack Bar du Soulor (80 m), Les Marmottes (60 m), Bar-Restaurant Les Marmottes (70 m)
Know before you go
- 18.3 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 6.9 km without café, shop or water from 12.9 to 19.8 km
- Route includes 4.9 km over 8% gradient
- Very little gravel, 1% unpaved