Driving the Mythical Road to Col d'Aspin in the French Pyrenees
France, europe
31 km
1,489 m
moderate
Year-round
# Col d'Aspin: A Pyrenean Classic You've Got to Experience
Nestled in the Hautes-Pyrénées region of southwestern France, Col d'Aspin sits at a respectable 1,489m (4,885ft) and has earned its place in cycling legend. This iconic pass has featured in both the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, and honestly, it's easy to see why.
The 31km journey from Arreau to Campan along the D918 is a wonderfully manageable climb—think of it as the Goldilocks of Pyrenean passes. The gradual gradients (nothing consistently steeper than 9%) make it perfect whether you're a moderately fit cyclist looking for a solid challenge or you want to string it together with other nearby classics like Peyresourde and Tourmalet. The road itself is fully paved, though a bit bumpy in places, and handy kilometer markers dot the route showing elevation and gradient info.
If you're planning to visit, skip peak summer if you can—June and September offer a much quieter, more peaceful experience. At the summit, you'll find a spacious parking lot where you can take a breather.
The scenery? Absolutely stunning. You'll be treated to breathtaking views of Lake Payolle surrounded by dense pine forests, and on clear days, the Pic du Midi observatory looms magnificently in the distance. Keep an eye out too—cattle and horses often graze near the summit, adding to that authentic alpine charm.
Where is it?
Driving the Mythical Road to Col d'Aspin in the French Pyrenees is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.8927, 2.7454
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 31 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,489 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 45.8927, 2.7454
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