Col du Pourtalet to Formigal and Sallent
82 km · 1,800 m · Laruns
- Base
- Laruns
- Distance
- 82 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,800 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Type
- Out and back
- Highest point
- Col du Pourtalet / Portalet d'Aneu, 1,794 m
- Season
- May–October
A long but steady climb, 29 km and just under 1300 metres of climbing from Laruns, through the Gabas gorge, past the dam at Fabrèges and up through the magnificent Anéou cirque with the Pic du Midi d'Ossau as a constant companion. The gradient is rarely over 7–8 per cent, so it suits anyone who wants a big alpine day without extreme ramps. On the Spanish side you roll down to the ski resort of Formigal and the old stone village of Sallent de Gállego for lunch before it's time to climb back.
TipsVentas (border shops with a café) on the Spanish side of the pass, cafés in Gabas, Formigal and Sallent. The pass is kept open in winter but can be closed for a few days after heavy snowfall. Lots of motorbike traffic at summer weekends. The D934 was closed after major rockfalls near Laruns in 2023 – check the traffic situation before setting off. The Spanish Quebrantahuesos sportive (June) comes this way.
Nearby
Cycling rides
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- 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
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