The best cycling routes around Issor

From Lourdios Ichère, this little-known pass is a real challenge, with irregular gradients, from -3 to 15%, and average quality tarmac, in short, enough to make it a must-do for pass hunters. In addition, the setting is magnificent, with the Gorges de Lourdios, the winding river, a magnificent forest. BE CAREFUL on the descent: narrow road, degraded surface, free-roaming animals.

beautiful climb starting from the valley of Larrau. Count 21km but the bulk of the elevation gain starts in Saint Engrace

Quite a strenuous climb.

The Col de Marie-Blanque is a classic of the Tour de France. From Escot, the nine-kilometer climb begins gently before becoming steeper over the last four kilometers, with an average gradient of 7.6%.

Without a doubt, the Col de la Piedra de San Martín or Pierre Saint-Martin is one of the Top 10 in all the Pyrenees. Without exceeding 2000 meters in altitude, it is a very long pass, with a lot of accumulated elevation gain (due to the countless French sides, the elevation gain is 1,450 meters), with very tough ramps and several kilometers above 10%, with wonderful landscapes and panoramic views and with little traffic, except for the sides that the main road crosses (D132 in France, the NA 137 in Spain). It is a pass with many sides; in Europe there are few other passes that have as many sides as this one (Col de Turini and Passo delle Erbe would be comparable in number of sides approximately). I have climbed it only from 2 sides: (i) my first time was from Lourdios Ichère, crossing the Col de Labays and the Col de Soudet. Simply spectacular; (ii) subsequently, I have climbed it on several occasions from the Spanish side, which is unique, and which starting from Belagua and crossing the Belagua cross-country ski station, reaches the pass. It is also very beautiful, with a different landscape and views than the northeast side. If I had to choose one of the 2, I liked the northwest side more because it is more remote, harder and in my opinion more authentic. It is also a culturally special pass because at its summit the Tribute of the 3 Cows takes place annually every July 13th, which is considered the oldest treaty in force in Europe. So... you know... you cannot miss the opportunity to come here and enjoy this wonderful jewel of the Pyrenees!!!!

I would not recommend right now. They recently did a chip and seal so a LOT of loose gravel. I live in the area and even the road to Osse en Aspe.

Twinned with the city of Jaca, Oloron-Sainte-Marie is made up of three neighborhoods, each with a well-defined character. That of Notre-Dame, where the Church of Notre-Dame is located and the confluence of two rivers, the Gave d'Ossau and the d'Aspe, the houses on the river and the bridges save them. In the public park we can see the monuments in tribute to those who were part of the resistance during the German invasion. The Cathedral neighborhood in the upper area of the city with its narrow streets and the Cathedral of Sta. María, and the Santa Cruz neighborhood where the church of the same name is located, built on a hill that presides over the city and offers spectacular views. spectacular, especially during sunset.

A very irregular climb, with even a descending passage, which gives the opportunity to recover after a few slightly steeper passages. But not really any big difficulty on this pass.