
An Epic Climb to Col de Tramassel in the Pyrenees
France, europe
1.3 km
1,635 m
hard
Year-round
# Col de Tramassel
Want to tackle one of the Pyrenees' sneakiest climbs? Col de Tramassel—also called Col de Burauou—sits pretty at 1,635 meters (5,364 feet) in France's Hautes-Pyrénées, nestled in the Occitanie region of the southwest.
This short but seriously steep route kicks off from Hautacam ski resort and stretches just 1.3 kilometers (0.80 miles) to the summit. Don't let that distance fool you—you're looking at an average gradient of 8.15%, with some ramps hitting a brutal 12% grade. You'll climb 106 meters of elevation in that tiny stretch, so bring your climbing legs.
The good news? The entire road is paved, and the three wide hairpin turns make navigating the steepness a bit more manageable than you'd expect. Once you summit, you'll find a generous car park, a restaurant, and access to the ski station facilities—perfect for catching your breath and grabbing some food.
If you're feeling particularly adventurous, the summit also serves as the launching point for the unpaved and notoriously challenging Col de Moulata. But that's a story for another day.
Where is it?
An Epic Climb to Col de Tramassel in the Pyrenees is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.9259, 2.8660
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 1.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,635 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 45.9259, 2.8660
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