Road · France
Col de Portet d'Aspet from Saint-Girons
A mountainous 31 km road cycling route from Saint-Girons through Sières, Le Couerlou and Pouech, with 726 m of climbing over the Galey climb.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 30.9 km
- Elevation gain
- 726 m
- Riding time
- 2 h 12 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Best months
- May to Oct
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Saint-Girons
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 726 m
- 31 km
Route description
- Saint-Girons
- Sières
- Le Couerlou
- Pouech
- Cescau
- Argein
- Buzan
- Terreferte
- Galey climb
The route begins in Saint-Girons and heads through a series of small places including Le Bousquet, Campas, Lédar, and Sières in the first 2 km. It continues passing Lambège, Aubert, and Moulis to 6 km, then on to Castillon-en-Couserans and Audressein by 13 km. The route mainly follows the D 618 road for 23.6 km, mostly main road with no cycle lane, plus some short stretches on minor roads and quiet streets.
Climbing is moderate at first with three main climbs: a 1.7 km climb gaining 68 m starting at 8.8 km, a 3.3 km climb gaining 94 m starting at 17.8 km, and the longest climb of 7.9 km starting at 22.9 km taking the route up 428 m more steeply to the highest point at Portet-d'Aspet 1068 m. The surface is 98% paved with 1% gravel or unpaved. Water taps and shops are available at intervals, though the longest stretch without café, shop, or water is 6.5 km from km 9.1 to 15.6. Toilets and bike shop are present near the start.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the Galey climb (7.9 km at 5.5 %).
- Tops out at 1,068 m, 30.8 km in.
Highlights
- Highest point at Portet-d'Aspet, 1068 m
- Climb starting at 22.9 km with 7.9 km length
- Peak Tuc de castera near 16.9 km
- Access via D 618 main road for 23.6 km
Along the route
Places passed
On the road
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 8.8 km | 1.7 km · 68 m · 4.1 % · max 5.9 % | — | 529 m |
| Unnamed climb | 17.8 km | 3.3 km · 94 m · 2.8 % · max 4.3 % | — | 650 m |
| Galey climb | 22.9 km | 7.9 km · 428 m · 5.4 % · max 10.5 % | 7.9 km · 428 m · 5.5 % | 1068 m |
Galey climb · full ascent, starts at 22.9 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Know before you go
- 23.6 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 1.2 km on roads with 80 km/h speed limit
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water is 6.5 km from km 9.1 to 15.6
- Gravel or unpaved surfaces for 1% of route
