Where is Col d'Aubisque?
France, europe
45 km
1,713 m
extreme
Year-round
Col d'Aubisque, nestled high in the Aquitaine region of France, is a mountain pass you won't soon forget! Perched at 1,713m (5,620ft), this iconic climb sits right on the border between Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Hautes-Pyrénées.
Built in the early 1900s, the road winds 45km (28 miles) from Laruns to Argelès-Gazost, cutting deep into the Pyrenees. It's a legendary Tour de France climb, first featured in 1910, and part of the "big three" must-do climbs in the race. The Vuelta a España has also taken on this beast! You'll find monuments at the summit celebrating cycling history.
Be warned, though, this beauty isn't for the faint of heart. Expect some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting almost 15%! The road even squeezes through the incredibly narrow Cirque du Litor. Also, because it's high in the mountains, the pass is typically closed from December to June, and sometimes at other times of the year if snow isn't cleared.
But, oh, the views! From the top, a café (open year-round!) offers amazing panoramic views of both the Pyrenees-Atlantiques and Hautes-Pyrenees. Expect incredible scenery and unforgettable driving pleasure.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 45 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,713 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
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