Guide to the Mines de Bentaillou
France, europe
10 km
1,875 m
hard
Year-round
Anciennes mines du Bentaillou is a zinc and silver-bearing abandoned mine at an elevation of 1.875m (6,151ft) above the sea level, located in the Ariège department in southwestern France, near the Spanish border.
Located in the heart of the Pyrenees, within the Biros valley, the road to the summit is unpaved and very steep, with narrow parts and 35 sharp hairpin turns. 4x4 vehicle required. The final part is totally closed to private vehicles. It’s an old mine trail following numerous remnants of France's mining heritage. Accessibility is largely limited to the summer season.
Starting from Parking du Bocard d'Eylie, the ascent is 10 km long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 930 meters. The average gradient is 9.3%.
Pic: thierry llansades
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Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 10 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,875 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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