Hourquette d'Ancizan - Ancizan

I agree with the earlier review. This is a very pleasant climb and a good option later on in the day with decent shade compared with (say) Aspin and le Pla d''Adet nearby. The road surface is now fine - perhaps thanks to the Tour passing through this way a couple of years ago. If you are based in the Val d''Aure, the round trip returning via the shorter side of Aspin towards Arreau is very worthwhile. There''s a cafe/store on the rhs just after you join the main road near Payolle if you need to top up on fluid. The col D''Azet linking Val d''Aure with Val Louron is a good ride too although more exposed to the sun.

My personal climb rating:

The Hourquette tends to be ignored as a route between the valleys of Campan and Arreau as most riders want to go between the two via the more famous Col dAspin. But if youve ridden the Aspin before, give The Hourquette a try (ideally from the Ancizan side; the Payolle side is a bit soft). Immediately you ride through Ancizan, the road kicks up sharply, with stretches of 15% in the first kilometre. Thankfully, after 1-2km this settles into more moderate slopes and at around half way there is an almost flat terrace where the road feels like it is cut into what is close to being a cliff face. The views down over St Lary Soulan and to the massif behind are absolutely spectacular and make the ride very worthwhile. The summit is fairly exposed and popular with motorists/walkers and the descent down to Payolle has the mild annoyance of a minor uphill section. In the Payolle valley the road surface deteriorates considerably and for a short section you may perefer to walk. But overall, if youve seen the Aspin a few times, this makes for a challenging and entertaining alternative.

My personal climb rating: