Tourmalet, Hautacam, Aubisque by bike from Lourdes: the cycling guide

Lourdes (about 400 m above sea level) sits at the entrance to the Gave de Pau valley, at the foot of the climbs that made Tour de France history: the Tourmalet (2,115 m), Hautacam, the Soulor (1,474 m) and the Aubisque (1,709 m).

Getting there from Lourdes:
• Argelès-Gazost is about 13 km away, via the Voie Verte des Gaves cycle path (a gentle false flat uphill, under 2%) or the expressway. It is the gateway to the Soulor, the Aubisque and Hautacam.
• Luz-Saint-Sauveur, at the foot of the Tourmalet's west side, is about 30 minutes by car.
• Ayros-Arbouix, at the foot of Hautacam, is about ten kilometres south of Lourdes.

Why stay in Lourdes? A wide choice of accommodation and restaurants, a station with direct TGV trains from Paris-Montparnasse (about 5 hours) and Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées airport 10 km away. Our apartment-hotel at 31 rue de la Grotte has locked bike storage.

When to ride? The high passes are generally rideable from June to November. The Tourmalet is usually closed from early December to early June, and the road between the Soulor and the Aubisque from December to June, depending on snow. The Hautacam road stays open all year. Before setting off, check road conditions on inforoute.ha-py.fr.

At the summit of the Tourmalet (2,115 m) stands the Géant statue, a tribute to Octave Lapize, the first Tour de France rider to cross the pass, in 1910. Its return to the summit in early June marks the start of the cycling season.

West side, from Luz-Saint-Sauveur: 19 km, 1,404 m of climbing, 7.4% average, with sections above 10%. This is the side closest to Lourdes. The climb goes through Barèges. A bike-only variant, the “Voie Laurent Fignon”, starts at the Pont de la Gaubie.

East side, from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan: 17.2 km, 1,268 m of climbing, 7.4% average, via La Mongie. From Lourdes you reach it via Bagnères-de-Bigorre.

Possible loop from Lourdes: up from Luz-Saint-Sauveur, down to Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, back via Bagnères-de-Bigorre. A big day, for trained riders only.

Pyrénées Cycl'n Trip: every July, the roads to the great passes of the Hautes-Pyrénées are reserved for bikes from 9 am to 12 noon on certain days, free and without registration. In 2026 this was the Tourmalet on 15 July and Hautacam on 16 July. The 2027 dates will be published by Hautes-Pyrénées Tourisme.

In summer you can get food near the Géant statue at the summit. Bring a jacket for the descent: it is much cooler at 2,115 m than in the valley.

Hautacam: from Ayros-Arbouix, 13.6 km at 7.8% average up to the ski station (about 1,520 m). The Tour de France has finished here several times, including in 2014 (won by Vincenzo Nibali), 2022 (Jonas Vingegaard) and 2025 (Tadej Pogačar). The road is open all year.

Col du Soulor (1,474 m): from Argelès-Gazost, 19.4 km at 5.25% average. The gradient steepens after Arrens-Marsous, with sections at 11%.

Col d'Aubisque (1,709 m): from the Soulor, 10.6 km of balcony road above the Cirque du Litor. You first descend, then climb again (7.5 km at 4.6%). The road is narrow and goes through two short tunnels: bring lights. From Argelès-Gazost, the Aubisque is about 30 km of road. The summit lies in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques; the other side drops to Laruns (16.6 km at 7.2% when climbed).

Classic combination: Argelès-Gazost → Soulor → Aubisque, then back the same way. Keep Hautacam for another day, or a half-day.

How many days? Allow one day per big climb so you can enjoy it without wearing yourself out: Hautacam, the Tourmalet, then the Soulor and the Aubisque. Three to five days make a good stay.

Can I ride from Lourdes without a car? Yes: the Voie Verte des Gaves runs from Lourdes to Argelès-Gazost (km 13.5) and Pierrefitte-Nestalas (km 19), with water points in Lourdes, Ayzac-Ost, Argelès and Pierrefitte.

When are the passes open? Generally from June to November for the Tourmalet and the Aubisque, depending on snow. Check road conditions on inforoute.ha-py.fr before you go.

Are there sportives? The Marmotte Granfondo Pyrénées starts in Argelès-Gazost and finishes at Hautacam (about 177 km and 5,700 m of climbing), in late August (24 August in 2025). Check the organiser's website for the 2027 date.

What to bring? A serviced bike, good brakes for the long descents, a windproof jacket, food and drink, and lights for the Aubisque tunnels.

Where to stay in Lourdes? At À l'Ombre de la Tour, 31 rue de la Grotte, 8 minutes' walk from the Sanctuary: studio (2 people), one-bedroom flat (4), duplex (6) or the whole house for up to 12 people, all with fully equipped kitchens. Locked bike storage and free parking 50 m away. Over the last 12 months, accommodation has averaged €17 to €23 per person per night, with the home filled to capacity. Book direct on our official website, and ask us anything on WhatsApp before you arrive.