Port d'Envalira - Ax les Thermes

I rode this climb from Ax-Les-Thermes on 15th of July, 2011. The only slight irritation was the almost constant stream of traffic in both directions, although it thinned out once I passed the tunnel entrance and very little traffic after the town of Pas de la Casa - which was more like a small city in the middle of nowhere. Once I passed Pas de la Casa I started to notice the effect of the altitude and the final few kilometres were exposed to the wind. The descent back down into Ax-Les-Thermes (on the French side) is generally smooth, wide and fast. It it never particularly steep, but you still have to save your reserves on the lower slopes.

My personal climb rating:

We did this one during Pyrenees trip, 8/2009. We were based at Puigcerda, took the morning train (space for bikes) from Tour de Carol to LHospitalet, so we started at 1400 m. Still, given that PDE is the highest pass in the Pyr., this is 1000 m of ascent. The road is perfect, wide, comfortable (it has to be, lots of traffic). No steeper sections. Few trees after LHospitalet (dont start too late). Customs in the middle, no attention for bicycles. Cars are stopped going down, causing queues. You will be able to see PDC after the customs. Unrealistic: Lego buildings in the middle of nowhere. Dozens of shops, lots of cars. Once there, you are above 2000 m. Then the steepest section comes, yet not very difficult. Many ski lifts and a motocross park at 2200 m. Then, the summit comes almost too soon. Once in the region you should do this one at least for its altitude. We enjoyed it, but that is also due to subjective factors: never cycled higher; not much cycling during that vacation; perfect weather, views, no clouds, no wind and as we started early, sunshine was enjoyable. Apart from that, lots of traffic (better after PDC – tunnel), no trees, low gradient and unappealing PDC may mean many of you will rate it lower.

My personal climb rating: