Col d'Aubisque
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Col d'Aubisque (el. 1709 m.) is a high mountain pass in the Pyrenees about thirty km. south of Tarbes and Pau in the department of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64), in the Aquitaine region of France.
The pass is located on the northern slopes of the Pic de Ger (2613 m.) and connects Laruns in the “vallée d'Ossau” via Eaux-Bonnes (west) to Argelès-Gazost in the valley of the “gave de Pau” via the Col de Soulor (east). The road crosses the cirque du Litor, in the upper part of the Ouzom valley. It is in generally closed to traffic from the beginning of December to the beginning of June.
The pass is a starting point of excursions and a centre for winter sports. In summer, it is popular with touring cyclists. It is regularly part of the Tour de France and is generally rated an Hors Categorie climb.
Details of the climb
On the west side, the climb to the Aubisque starts in Laruns. Starting from Laruns, the Col d'Aubisque is 16.6 km long. Over this distance, the climb is 1190 m. (an average of 7.2 %). The first few km., to the spa resort of Eaux-Bonnes, are fairly easy. After the Cascade de Valentin, things get really hard with a section at 13%. From there to the top, the climb is 8 km at 8% average. The road passes through the spa resort of Gourette at 1400m.
The east side is climbed after the Col de Soulor (1474 m). Starting from Argelès Gazost, the Col du Soulor is 19.48 km long. Over this distance, the climb is 1019 m. (an average of 5.2%). This climb only gets tough after the village of Arrens with zones of 10% and more. From the Col de Soulor, the climb to the Col d'Aubisque is a 10.6 km, gaining a further 235m. (net). The road from the Col de Soulor is a very spectacular, attractive road running along cliffs in the Cirque du Litor, where the traffic is controlled through two short, narrow tunnels. From the cirque du Litor, the climb is 7.5 km at 4.6 % (height gain: 350 m).
Tour de France
In common with many of the famous Pyrenean cycle climbs, the Col d’Aubisque first appeared in the Tour de France in 1910, and was first crossed by François Lafourcade. It has appeared frequently since then, more than once every two years.
Tour de France stage finishes
Stage 16 of the 2007 Tour de France will finish at the summit of the Col d’Aubisque. There has been one previous finish at the summit (in 1985).
| Year | Stage | Start of stage | Distance (km) | Category of climb | Stage winner | Yellow jersey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 16 | Orthez | 218.5 | HC | ||
| 1985 | 18a | Luz-Saint-Sauveur | 52.5 | 1 | Stephen Roche | Bernard Hinault |
| 1971 | 16a | Bagnères-de-Luchon | 145 | ?? | Bernard Labourdette | Eddy Merckx |
The finish of stage 16 of the 2007 tour has been named Gourette-col d'Aubisque.
The finish of stage 16a of the 1971 tour was at the ski station at Gourette which is located on the western slopes at 1385 m. The second half of this stage was 57.5 km from Gourette to Pau and was won by Herman Van Springel.
Passages in the Tour de France (since 1947)
There have been 42 passages over the summit since 1947, making it the second most visited mountain in the race’s history.
External links
- Profile from the west on climbbybike.com
- Profile from the east on climbbybike.com
- Profile of the Col de Soulor on climbbybike.com
- Cycling Col d'Ausbique and the History of the Tour de France photos, video and report.
- Details of climbs
- le col d'Aubisque dans le Tour de France Template:Fr
- Gourette dans le Tour de France Template:Fr
- Complete list of Tour de France appearances