Road · France
Port de Pailhères from Ax-les-Thermes
A mountainous 19 km road cycling route from Ax-les-Thermes through Ignaux, Sorgeat and Ascou, with 1,275 m of climbing over Ax-les-Thermes climb (1093 m) and the Goulours climb. Most of it (18.6 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
- 19.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,275 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 23 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
- Ax-les-Thermes
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,275 m
- 19 km
Route description
- Ax-les-Thermes
- Ax-les-Thermes climb (1093 m)
- Ignaux
- Sorgeat
- Ascou
- Fournit
- Goulours
- Goulours climb
- Lavail
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.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Ax-les-Thermes climb (1093 m) (7.1 km at 5.2 %) and the Goulours climb (12 km at 7.5 %).
- Tops out at 1,995 m, 19.2 km in.
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
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ax-les-Thermes climb (1093 m) | 0 km | 7.1 km · 372 m · 5.2 % · max 8.2 % | 7.1 km · 372 m · 5.2 % | 1093 m |
| Goulours climb | 7.3 km | 12 km · 900 m · 7.5 % · max 10.3 % | 12 km · 900 m · 7.5 % | 1995 m |
Ax-les-Thermes climb (1093 m) · full ascent, starts at 0 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Goulours climb · full ascent, starts at 7.3 km
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 96% is on main roads without a cycle lane. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 97% main road · 3% other roads and tracks
- 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: 100% of the route is mapped as paved.
- Gradient
- 96% climbing · 1% descending · 4% flat
- Steep sections
- 14.6 km over 5% · 7.3 km over 8% · 0.6 km over 10%
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 30 cafés and restaurants, 5 shops, 7 water points and 4 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 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)
Stay after this ride
- Centre de Vacance Le Saint-Bernard · hostel · 3.1 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Water
- La Fontaine des Neiges (40 m)
- Food and coffee
- Saveurs D'Ariège (50 m), Sur le Pouce (100 m), Le P'tit Montagnard (60 m)
- Shops
- Proxi (60 m)
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%
