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Road Biking
This is a superb
location for road biking
with some classic cols
such as Col de Port,
Col d'Agnès and Port
de Lers. There are also
some great ski-resort
climbs to Bonsacre and
the awesome drag up
to Plateau de Beille.
Nearly every year the
Tour de France makes
its way through Ariège
with stages finishing
in various places
including the Plateau
de Beille. To check
out where the Tour de
France goes see
www.letour.fr
Here are some suggestions for your own
tours:
The Two Cols Tour
Start in Tarascon and head up the D618
towards Bédeilhac. Continue over the Col
de Port (1249m) to Massat. From here
head south on the D18 to Porte de Lers
(1517m) and then descend via Auzat back
to Tarascon. The really keen can nip up
and down the Col d'Agnès (1570m) as well.
Distance - 84km, 1700m of ascent, time 4 to
5 hours.
Plateau de Beille (1790m)
A beast of a climb from Les
Cabannes. 15.8km, 1255m
climbing, at an average of 8%
with a max of 11% makes it a
more significant undertaking
than Alpe d'Huez.
Plateau de Bonsacre
(1373m)
A smaller climb than Beille but
still a big undertaking - 7.8 km,
670m of climbing, around 8%.
Col du Chioula (1431m)
Another decent climb - 9.7km, 711m of
climbing at around 7%.
Route des Corniches (the D20)
This beautiful road runs parallel to the main
valley road the N20 and it can be accessed
from Tarascon, Les Cabannes and Luzenac.
Usually a circuit will involve some time on the
N20 as well.
There are often local races you can base a
holiday around. There is useful information
on here
www.cyclosport-Ariègeoise.com
and here
www.sport09.com
Th e P l a n t a u r e l
Ca l amè s A r e a
N i a u x A r e a
Au z a t A r e a
S i n s a t A r e a
Ax - l e s -Th e rme s A r e a
Moun t a i n
Wa l k s
- Road Biking col/climb
- Mountain Bike location
24
Ariège Other Activities
Biking
Massat
About 5km
Foix
Ax-les-Thermes
Auzat
Luzenac
Les Cabannes
Ussat-les-Bains
Roquefixade
Montségur
Surba
Tarascon-sur-Ariège
Lavelanet
E9
N20
D618
D117
D20
D18
D18
Col de Port
(1249m)
The Two Cols
Tour
Route des
Corniches
Port de Lers
(1517m)
Plateau de
Beille (1790m)
Plateau de
Bonsacre
(1373m)
Col du Chioula
(1431m)
Refuge du
Chioula
Varilhes
Sentier Cathar
Col d'Agnès
(1570m)
Tour de France at Plateau de Beille. Photo: Anne Arran