The Col d’Aubisque is part of the original Circle of Death stage from the 1910 Tour de France and has been a regular on the parcours ever since 1910. It is the mountain crossed the second most times in tour history. This climb is often combined with the Col du Soulor, making its entire distance over 30kms in length.
I remember climbing here in 2010 and thinking this is the most beautiful climb in the Pyrenees
Lets start this climb out the town of Argele’s-Gazost at the mouth of the Argeles Valley. If you head to the other end of the Argeles Valley you hit the western climb for the Col du Tourmalet. Today our climb commences straight out of town as we head for the the first part of this climb, making for the peak of the Col du Soulor.
The Col du Soulor
The day starts with a gentle climb out the satellite villages of Argeles-Gazost. The road can be quite wind affected as it is rather open and exposed. We will pass through a number of small towns where we can top up bidons and the like. We pass through Arrens-Marsous, the real ascent of the Solour commences. From here we have 7.5km to the Col du Soulor summit, averaging nearly 8%. Quickly the landscape begins to evolve to more of a rural setting, with livestock about and an aroma to suit.
Beyond Soulor.
Beyond Soulor.We reach the Solour summit and top up water at the cafe. Over the other side of the road in a field a flock of vultures are feasting on a fallen member of livestock. Its time to move on beyond the peak of the Col du Soulor. As we continue west, we descend a little way before our climb commences again. Now our ride takes us along an escarpment on the mountain side. The views to our right across sweeping valleys and mountain peaks is jaw dropping.
We head through a tunnel or two here, with the last of these requiring a headlight as there is a bend in the road. Its amazing to think these roads are hundreds of years old and the effort it must have taken to build these in their day. As we continue along the winding road we have crossed from the Midi-Pyrenees to the Atlantique-Pyrenees region. The views to our right continue to amaze. Look over the edge its along way down into the valley.
Our last kilometre is a little bit of a leg stretcher after a long time climbing, but reaching the summit is well worth it. We coffee and snack at the top but ensure we take the obligatory photo at the summit road marker, before we make the return journey.
