Road · From the map · France
Port de Pailhères from Ax-les-Thermes
- 19 km
- 1,275 m
- Moderate
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 1,275 m
- 19 km
Route overview
Suited to riders prepared for a sustained 19 km climb with 1275 m of elevation gain.
A 19.3 km paved climb from Ax-les-Thermes to Port de Pailhères in France with 1275 m elevation gain.
This 19.3 km point-to-point route begins at Ax-les-Thermes (720 m) and ascends continuously to Port de Pailhères (1995 m). The climb is composed of two main sections: the first 7.1 km gains 372 m at an average gradient of 5.2%, with a maximum of 8.2%. After a short break, the route continues for 12 km climbing 900 m at an average of 7.5% with sections reaching 10.3%, making the latter half significantly steeper. The entire route is paved and mainly follows main roads (97%), specifically the D 25 for 15.3 km and the D 613 for 3.3 km. There are no cycle lanes and the route is mostly uphill (96%), with over 14.6 km exceeding 5% gradient, so this is a sustained and challenging climb. The longest stretch without cafés, shops, or water is between 7.4 km and 13.9 km (6.5 km). At the start, Ax-les-Thermes offers multiple services including a bakery, café, restaurant, convenience store, bar, and water sources. Mid-route at 7.4 km a bakery is accessible 18 m off route. Toilets are available at the start and near 13.8 km. A bailout point is near the start at a station 554 m off route.
Highlights
- Port de Pailhères at 1995 m
- Pic de Fontargent peak near 19.1 km
- Bakery at 7.4 km off-route
- Ax-les-Thermes services at start
Along the route
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ax-les-Thermes climb | 0 km | 7.1 km | 372 m | 5.2 % | 8.2 % | 1093 m |
| Ax-les-Thermes climb | 7.3 km | 12 km | 900 m | 7.5 % | 10.3 % | 1995 m |
Ax-les-Thermes climb · starts at 0 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Ax-les-Thermes climb · starts at 7.3 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 97% main road
- Main roads
- 18.6 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Main roads used
- D 25 (15 km), D 613 (3 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 96% climbing · 1% descending · 4% flat
- Steep sections
- 14.6 km over 5% · 7.3 km over 8% · 0.6 km over 10%
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmSaveurs D'Ariège · bakery · on the route
- 0 kmProxi · convenience store · on the route
- 0 kmPharmacie Aybram · pharmacy · 90 m off route
- 0.1 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 0.2 kmLa Fontaine des Neiges · spring · on the route
- 4.5 kmLa fount de l'église · drinking water · 70 m off route
- 7.4 kmLe fournil de la forge · bakery · on the route
- 13.8 kmToilets · on the route
- 13.9 kmRestaurant · 30 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 1.3 km — Ax-les-Thermes (station), 550 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0.5 km — Turbine centrale du Teich (viewpoint)
- 6.6 km — 3 Picnic Tables (picnic site)
- 19.1 km — Pic de Fontargent (peak)
At the start
- Saveurs D'Ariège · bakery · 50 m
- Sur le Pouce · café · 100 m
- Le P'tit Montagnard · restaurant · 60 m
- Proxi · convenience store · 60 m
- Le Comptoir des Négociants · bar · 60 m
Stay after this ride
- Centre de Vacance Le Saint-Bernard · hostel · 3.1 km from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 1 h 23 min
- May to Oct — daily highs of 18–25 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 18.6 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 6.5 km without café, shop or water from 7.4 to 13.9 km
- Steep gradients with 7.3 km over 8%
- Steepest section max gradient 10.3%
