Portillon Pass – emblematic passes of the Pyrenees
Portillon Pass – emblematic passes of the Pyrenees
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Portillon Pass – emblematic passes of the Pyrenees
03:23
60.0km
1,210m
Road cycling
The Portillon is a classic of the Pyrenees and an emblematic pass of the Tour de France. Culminating at 1,293 meters above sea level, it marks the border between France and Spain. Since 1957, it has been used about twenty times by the runners of the big loop.
The route starts at Bagnères-de-Luchon train station. This historic spa town enjoys a unique reputation in the valley. It is located at the foot of the pass, at the gates of Spain. A small flat portion allows you to warm up before entering the valley of Pique. This is where the main kilometers of ascent to the pass begin.
Along the way, the Sidonie waterfall offers a burst of freshness in the hollow of a bend formed by the road. The climb continues in the heart of a beautiful forest which ends up leading to the pass. By tilting downhill you now enter Spain in the beautiful Aran Valley. It ends with four wide bends before entering the village of Bossost.
Now the rest of the loop is much flatter until the finish. You benefit from a long downward false flat which leads back to the border which is not far from the village of Fos. You continue along the Garonne on a cycle path to Saint-Béat. You conclude by finding the valley of Luchon to Bagnères.
Last updated: June 7, 2024
Tips
Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted
After 39.7 km for 52 m
Waypoints
Start point
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876 m
Bagnères-de-Luchon
Highlight • Other
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5.96 km
Sidonie Waterfall
Highlight • Waterfall
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11.2 km
Ascent to Col du Portillon from Bossòst
Highlight (Segment) • Mountain Pass
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14.9 km
Monument to Spanish Tour de France Winners and View of the Val d'Aran
Highlight • Monument
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40.8 km
View of the Château de Saint-Béat
Highlight • Castle
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60.0 km
End point
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
28.9 km
13.9 km
10.6 km
3.80 km
2.61 km
160 m
Surfaces
55.5 km
3.80 km
437 m
206 m
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Elevation
Highest point (1,290 m)
Lowest point (490 m)
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Weather
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Monday 18 May
21°C
7°C
42 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 6.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
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Trail Reviews
Rest day today, no. After changing from Lourdes to Bagnères-de-Luchon and arriving at 12:00, there is still time for a bike ride. What could be better than the Col de Portillon. The challenge is to overcome an average gradient of 9%. In plain language, that means that gradients of 10% to 14% can occur in smaller sections. When you get to the top, the obligatory signs greet you. The only thing that you can tell is that you are directly in Spain on the other side is the road sign that says in Spanish that the descent is 8 km long and you can only ride 40 km. On the way you will also find tributes to the Tour de Franc and Spanish cyclists. When you get to the bottom, the wine is very fresh as it can sweep through the valley unhindered. In the town itself there are enough restaurants where you can eat. After about 5 km you reach the French border again. This is easy to see at the old customs station. We continue towards Bagnères-de-Luchon. Now my Garmin says I should turn left onto the dirt road which then leads into a forest path. The graphic also shows a steep climb. What about the racing bike? No thanks, I'd rather continue on the departmental road. The forest path is based on the copied track by Julien Harté Collection Between myths and legends - famous passes in the Pyrenees. What's the difference, on the departmental road or the forest path? About 9 km and 200 meters less elevation where I rode. The route as I rode it is very easy to ride. But there should be another Tour de Franc on the route so that the Spaniards can renew their part of the route.
At the end of our Pyrenees trip, this was the last pass. Relatively (!) short but with very steep sections. It took us over to Spain, to the very beautiful Val d'Aran. The Garonne flows here, which flows via Toulouse to Bordeaux and flows into the Atlantic a little later. Thank you Harald for the 🚲planning! A nice farewell tour. Goodbye Pyrenees! 🇫🇷🇪🇸🏔
Today we had actually planned to go flat to Spain. But Jens hadn't yet had the Col de Portillon on his agenda. The weather was just right. So we set off early in the morning and after about an hour we were at the top of the Col. The good thing about it is that you can have a small breakfast in Spain afterwards. As we had time, we made a few photo stops. Even at the border with France, those entering the country were allowed to stop because the gendarmerie was carrying out a check. The cycling in the Pyrenees ends with the Col de Portillon, because the journey home begins the next day.