Col de Peyresourde visitor guide

Visit Col de Peyresourde, France

The Col de Peyresourde is a mountain pass in the high Pyrenees, between Arreau and Avajan to the north-west and Bagnères-de-Luchon to the east and reaching an altitude of 1568 metres above sea-level.

The pass has been used to cross the pyrenees between Louron valley and Larbouste valley since ancient times, and a road has been in place since the end of the 19th century.

Explore the Col de Peyresourde

France This Way review: the scenery and the chance to see horses walking around the mountains - as well as the renown because of its regular appearance in the Tour de France - make a visit to the Col de Persourde very enjoyable for both cyclists and non-cyclists

From the col and along the route you have an exceptional view of several of the highest mountain summits in the Pyrenees. The Hautes-Pyrenees department is to the west and the Haute-Garonne department to the east.

The Col de Peyresourde has been part of the route of the Tour de France on numerous occasions (about 14 times in the last 20 years), usually as part of a sequence of mountain passes with more than one crossed in the same day.

Cycling the Col de Peyresourde

Although this is not the most challenging of the mountain passes in the Pyrenees for cyclsts, it is also not the easiest! Cyclists without experience of cycling in the mountains will certainly find it very challenging, whichever route they follow...although there are less hairpin bends than on the most difficult routes, and the route is quite wide and well maintained.

If you are starting from Avajan (on the road from Arreau) to the north-west, the route is nearly 10 kilometres long with an average slope of 6.7% and if you start at Bagnères-de-Luchon you will cycle nearly 14 kilometres at 6.7%. Of course, the actual slope varies long the route, with soe sections almost flat and others rather steep!

Note: if you are approaching the Col de Peyresourde from Bagnères-de-Luchon, there is an alternative route starting from Garin (follow the D76 - a small road to the right in the centre of the village) that makes the climb slightly longer and slightly less steep, passing through the traditional villages of Cathervielle, Poubeau and Portet-de-Luchon.

Attractions nearby

The principal ski resort close to the Col de Peyresourde is Peyragudes - although if you are visiting for a ski holiday, the mountain pass is likely to be closed.

The towns at the ends of the route are both interesting to visit: see Arreau and Bagnères-de-Luchon for information. To the west of Arreau you can explore another important mountain pass, the Col d'Aspin, also part of the route des cols.

See more scenic highlights in France. You can find more travel ideas in the Hautes-Pyrenees guide and the Midi-Pyrenees guide.

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Map of Col de Peyresourde and places nearby

Visit near Col de Peyresourde with France This Way reviews

Bagneres-de-Luchon

Bagneres-de-Luchon is one of the nicest of the 'belle-epoque' spa towns that developed in the Pyrenees in the 19th century

Bagneres-de-Luchon guide

Arreau

Deep in the Pyrenees on a small river, Arreau is a delightful small town to explore

Arreau guide

Col d'Aspin

The Col d'Aspin is an important mountain pass in the west of the Pyrenees

Col d'Aspin guide

Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges

2000 years ago the town of Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges had 10000 inhabitants - now it has 250! The Saint Bertrand de Comminges cathedral is the highlight in the old town centre

Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges guide

Valcabrere

Valcabrere deserves a visit because of the very lovely roman style basilica of Saint-Just de Valcabrère, built on the edge of the village in the 12th century

Valcabrere guide