The best traffic-free bike rides around Caubous

Also, stop at the Là Soulan hostel for a well-deserved break. Very warm welcome. 👍

great hike

Passes reserved for cyclists 9-12 p.m. this Monday 07/15, happiness!

To get here from Bagneres, you have to do a fairly demanding mountain pass by road. Once up the reward is worth it. Very nice area with lots of vegetation.

Saint Béat is a very typical French village. The village maintains its architectural style throughout, and it is deeply rooted in the landscape. You can find bars and a few other shops.

One of the mythical Pyrenean ports of the Tour de France, known largely for the tragic fall of Luis Ocaña in the 1971 Tour when he was leading the general classification. Its 2 aspects have a lot of crumbs: - west slope that starts from Saint Béat: it is the hardest. It is 9.7 km with an average slope of 8.7%. It is a very constant climb, with a small break when passing through Boux. The first part is a little harder and uglier since you barely have any views and you go up through the middle of a valley. The final part is spectacular with its many horseshoe curves, good panoramic views and the monument to the place where Luis Ocaña fell. - east slope: it is longer, with an initial section of 7 km very winding with a slope of 4%. It also has a break in its intermediate zone. Once the hard part starts, it is also very constant, like the west slope, although the average slope is 7-8%. This aspect has even more twists than the previous one. For more information, consult the profile published by cylcingcols.com -- > http://www.cyclingcols.com/col/Mente

Built in the 12th century by local lords, the fort was enlarged by King Henry IV. It notably features a large keep, as well as a chapel built in the mid-19th century following a plague epidemic. Robert Pujol, who was responsible for its restoration, explains: "Tourists often have the idea of a very vast castle. However, in the Middle Ages, they were very small because they were clinging to eagles' nests." Throughout its history, the castle did not have to fend off invasions, even though it was the scene of regular battles. Its status as a royal town conferred many privileges on Saint-Béat. Two markets were held every month at the foot of the castle, and no taxes were levied there, which suggests that Saint-Béat could be considered the Andorra of this medieval era... It is technically possible to climb to the castle by bicycle via a steep path closed to vehicles by a chain. The road is certainly a little bumpy, but it is doable, and the breathtaking view of the city and the gap formed by the Garonne in the mountain is a just reward.

It is technically possible to go up to the Château de Saint Béat via a steep path, with a somewhat chaotic surface and closed to vehicles by a chain (be careful on the descent! ...). From there, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city and the passage in the mountain carved out by the Garonne. Built in the 12th century by local lords, the fort was enlarged by King Henry IV. It notably presents an important keep, as well as a chapel built in the mid-19th century following a plague epidemic. Robert Pujol, who is behind its restoration, explains: “Tourists most often have the idea of a very vast castle. However, in the Middle Ages, they were very small because they hung on eagles' nests. » The castle has not, in its history, had to repel any invasions, even if it was the scene of regular battles. The status of a royal city conferred many privileges on Saint-Béat. Two markets took place every month at the foot of the castle, and no taxes were levied there, which invites us to consider Saint-Béat as the Andorra of this medieval era...