Description:
Together with the Tourmalet and the Galibier, the Aubisque is one of the great legendary climbs of the Tour de France. Yet, the climb is easier than e.g. the Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin. The east side is climbed after the Col de Soulor.
But we"re talking about the west side here, which starts from Laruns, just ike the Col de Portalet. In stead of following the D934 towards Spain however, we take the D918 to the left just outside Laruns, crossing the bridge. While taling a couple of wide hairpins, we can see Laruns slowly disappear in our back. After 4 easy kilometers, we reach Eaux-Bonnes.
Just after Eaux-Bonnes, the real work starts, with even a 13% piece while riding towards the Cascade de Valentin, on the left side of the V-valley. Until you reach the Ski-station of Gourette, the climb never really gives you time to breath, with % in the neighbourhood of 10%. In Gourette, the road finally decides to go to the direction of the col to your left. Those last 5 kilometers are difficult but do-able. Once on the top, you can enjoy the new sight and review what you just conquered.
The Col de l'Aubisque is situated in Midi-Pyrenees.
Starting from Laruns,
the Col de l'Aubisque ascent is 16.6 km long. Over this distance, you climb 1190 heightmeters.
The average percentage is thus 7.2 %.
Look for other sides to climb the Col de l'Aubisque .
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Col de l'Aubisque from Laruns in 3D, on Googleearth!
