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The Pyrenees form the natural border between France and
Spain with the small Principality of Andorra sandwiched
in between. Picturesque villages, small and quiet roads,
traditional craftspeople and an older way of life
dominate the mountain range. In this setting you climb
numerous well known cols which featured many times in
the Tour de France and Vuelta d'España.
Before you cross the border with Spain for the first
time, you climb on the French side four cols : the
Col de Port (1.249
m), Col de Portet d'Aspet
(1.069 m), Col de Menté
(1.349 m) and the Col de
la Core (1.395 m). The Col de Portet d'Aspet was
already used for the first time in the Tour de France of
1910 and has appeared regularly since. The col is also
known for the tragic incident of Fabio Casertelli which
died whilst descending a steep section when leading the
peloton in 1995. The Société du Tour de France and the
Motorola team placed a memorial stone dedication to
Fabio Casartelli on the spot where it happened.
You start your loop in Spain in Vielha and pass this
little village in the Val d'Aran twice during your "La
Grande Boucle des Pyrénées". You cycle along the highest
peak of the Pyrenees, the
Pico Aneto with 3.404 metres, when you climb your
first "col" in Spain. The summit of the
Túnel de Vielha
(1.635 m) ends up in a 5 kilometer long tunnel.
You continue over the Coll
de Espina (1.407 m) and
Puerto de Cotefablo
(1.423 m). The towering canyon walls and lush greenery
in the Cañon de Anisclo
may not be missed. This gorge in the Parque Nacional
Ordesa y Monte Perdido is one of the most amazing
sections on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees. The narrow
one-way road maneuvers to great heights around the
majestic canyon walls and up steep grades to an
enchanting land of nature. You return into France via
the Puerto del Portalet
(1.794 m). |
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155 km |
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94 km |
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142 km |
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119 km |
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