Cyclists.com

Col du Soulor from Argelès-Gazost

Argelès-Gazost, FranceRoad

Routed from the map This classic road was traced on OpenStreetMap and measured against the terrain model; no member has recorded it yet. Ridden it? Add your recording and photos.

20 km
Distance
1,020 m
Elevation gain
Moderate
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
Massif du Gabizos depuis le col de Soulor.
Photo: Guillaume Baviere · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Elevation profile

Total ascent
1,020 m
Distance
20 km
05001,0001,5002,000m0 km5101520 km1,465 m · highest, at 20.2 kmStartFinish

Route overview

Suitable for riders prepared for a 20 km route with over 1000 m climbing and sustained gradients.

20.2 km climb from Argelès-Gazost to Col du Soulor with 1020 m elevation gain in France.

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.

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

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Arras-en-Lavedan 4 km
  2. Sireix 6.6 km
  3. Arcizans-Dessus 7 km
  4. Bun 7 km
  5. Gaillagos 8.5 km
  6. Aucun 10 km
  7. Marsous 11.4 km
  8. Arrens-Marsous 12.1 km
  9. Arrens 12.9 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
Argelès-Gazost climb0.3 km7.5 km391 m5.2 %9.4 %837 m
Arrens-Marsous climb12.5 km7.7 km596 m7.7 %9.4 %1464 m

High point 1464 m at 20.2 km; low point 444 m. Passes beneath La Cuyerosse, Turon d'Ompré, 1527.

Argelès-Gazost climb · starts at 0.3 km

7.5 km at 5.2% · 391 m
450500550600650700750800m7.5%6.6%3.1%2.9%5.0%3.3%0 km12345677.5 km837 msteepest 8.4%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

Arrens-Marsous climb · starts at 12.4 km

7.7 km at 7.7% · 596 m
9001,0001,1001,2001,3001,400m8.7%7.6%7.7%8.9%8.5%7.9%0 km12345677.6 km1,463 msteepest 8.9%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
89% main road · 6% quiet street
Main roads
18 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Main roads used
D 918 (18 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
81% climbing · 2% descending · 17% flat
Steep sections
11 km over 5% · 4.9 km over 8%

Along the way

Within a few hundred metres of the track, from OpenStreetMap. Opening hours change — treat this as where to look, not a promise.

Food, water and shops

  1. 0 kmAu Primerose · restaurant · on the route
  2. 0 kmPharmacie Marsan · pharmacy · 110 m off route
  3. 0.2 kmRelais d'Azun Total · petrol station · on the route
  4. 0.5 kmToilets · on the route
  5. 0.6 kmDrinking water · on the route
  6. 0.7 kmL'Etape des Pyrénées · bike shop · 230 m off route
  7. 1 kmMarché de producteurs - Argelès-Gazost · market · 40 m off route
  8. 3.7 kmDrinking water · on the route
  9. 4 kmBoulangerie aux délices de sophie et sébastien · bakery · on the route
  10. 11.3 kmFontaine · drinking water · 100 m off route
  11. 11.3 kmToilets · on the route
  12. 12.6 kmProxi · convenience store · on the route
  13. 12.6 kmPharmacie du Val d'Azun · pharmacy · on the route
  14. 12.7 kmRepair stand · 170 m off route
  15. 12.8 kmBoulangerie cafe · bakery · on the route
  16. 19.8 kmDrinking water · on the route
  17. 19.8 kmToilets · 30 m off route
  18. 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)

At the start

  • La Boulange · bakery · 140 m
  • Boulangerie patisserie Dirasse · bakery · 110 m
  • Au Primerose · restaurant · 30 m
  • Les Fleurs · pub · 120 m
  • Le Numéro 3 · restaurant · 100 m

At the finish

  • Snack Bar du Soulor · café · 80 m
  • Les Marmottes · restaurant · 60 m
  • Bar-Restaurant Les Marmottes · bar · 70 m
  • Le Bistrosoum · restaurant · 350 m

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

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Point to point
Riding time
1 h 27 min
Best months
May to Oct — daily highs of 19–25 °C in those months

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

Routes are for inspiration. Roads, surfaces and conditions change — check locally and ride within your limits.

2 photographs from the road

Photo: Guillaume Baviere · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Sotos · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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