Aubisque and Soulor from Laruns
55 km · 1,550 m · Laruns
- Base
- Laruns
- Distance
- 55 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,550 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Type
- Out and back
- Highest point
- Col d'Aubisque, 1,709 m
- Cols
- Col d'Aubisque (1,709 m), Col du Soulor (1,474 m)
- Season
- June–October
The Aubisque from Laruns is one of the most classic climbs in the Pyrenees: 16.6 km and 1190 metres of climbing past the spa town of Eaux-Bonnes and the ski resort of Gourette, where the last kilometres open out onto bare pastures with cows, sheep and horses on the road. From the top you continue along the spectacular balcony road around the Cirque du Litor, with tunnels and sheer drops, to the Col du Soulor and then turn back. The Aubisque has featured in the Tour de France since 1910 and is the most visited col in the race's history after the Tourmalet.
TipsCafé and souvenir stalls at the top of the Aubisque (the big bike sculptures), café/restaurant on the Soulor. Water in Eaux-Bonnes and Gourette. The balcony road between the Aubisque and the Soulor is narrow and has no barriers in places, so take it easy on the descent. The Gourette–Soulor section is closed in winter, normally from about November to May/June. Want a longer day? Carry on down to Argelès-Gazost and get a lift back, or combine it with the Pourtalet on another day.
Nearby
Cycling rides
- Gavarnie from Luz-Saint-Sauveur40 km · 700 m · Easy
- Cerdagne loop over the Col de la Perche55 km · 800 m · Easy
- Col de Marie-Blanque loop from Arudy60 km · 1,000 m · Moderate
- Col du Pourtalet to Formigal and Sallent82 km · 1,800 m · Moderate
- Port de Larrau and Pierre-Saint-Martin, French–Spanish loop127 km · 3,000 m · Very hard
- The Tourmalet from both sides72 km · 2,700 m · Hard
- Hautacam and Luz Ardiden102 km · 2,550 m · Hard
- Peyresourde and Aspin from Luchon88 km · 2,650 m · Hard
- The Tour's 65-kilometre stage: Luchon–Col de Portet65 km · 3,000 m · Hard
- Port de Balès and Peyresourde from Luchon88 km · 2,300 m · Hard
- The big Comminges loop: Ares, Balès, Menté and Portet d'Aspet133 km · 3,300 m · Very hard
- Col de Port and Mur de Péguère from Foix74 km · 1,750 m · Hard
- Latrape, Saraillé and Col d'Agnes from Aulus76 km · 1,950 m · Hard
- The Pailhères from both sides and Ax 3 Domaines75 km · 2,850 m · Hard
- Coll d'Ordino and Beixalís from Andorra la Vella62 km · 1,700 m · Moderate
- Port de la Bonaigua from Vielha46 km · 1,150 m · Moderate
- The queen stage Pau–Luchon (the Circle of Death in reverse)197 km · 4,800 m · Very hard