Col d'Aspin (1489m) is in the department of Hautes-Pyrénées. It connects Sainte-Marie-de-Campan to the west, in the upper Adour valley, with Arreau to the east, on the River Neste.

All the latest photos and news for Col d'Aspin.

Photo Gallery of Col d'Aspin.

From Sainte-Marie-de-Campan (west), the climb is 12.8 km at 5% and the altitude gain is 642m. This is the easy side, only the last 5 kilometres are difficult. The first seven kilometres of the climb have little difficulty, there is one kilometre @ 6% starting at 8 km from the summit. But after passing the ski station at Payolle (1100m) it kicks up dramatically with one kilometre averaging 10%. From there to the summit is much more difficult with a winding ascent in a coniferous forest and an average of 7.5% for the remainder of the climb. The final kilometre is 6.5%.

From Arreau (east), the climb is much more difficult. Col d'Aspin is 12 km long @ 6.5%. The first 2 kilometres are rather rolling, 4% and 3% respectively. The slope becomes more serious with one kilometre @ 8% after the junction with the small road on the left, leading to Aspin-Aure . This side of the Col d'Aspin is characterised by the winding road and a mixture of hardwood forests and pastoral meadows. Five kilometres from the summit begins a steep kilometre @ 9.5%. The final kilometres have an average of 8% and a few portions of straight road.
The climb is 12 km at 6.5% and the altitude gains 779m.

From either side it is not a particularly hard climb, it has gained legendary status due to it's frequent use in Le Tour de France. 2012 was the 71st passage since 1910. Compared to some of it's neighbours it is rather unmemorable. However, the saving grace of the climb is the spectacular scenery, it truly is beautiful with views of Col du Tourmalet to the west and Col de Peyresourde and Col de Val Louran Azet to the east. Along with Peyresourde, Tourmalet, Soulor and Aubisque, it forms "The circle of Death".


September 2012 looking East to Arreau.


July 2012, from the summit looking west to Col du Tourmalet and Pic du Midi.

Col d'Aspin Google Map

https://maps.google....46651aa10&msa=0







Charles Cruchon crossing the summit, 1910 Tour de France.

All the latest photos and news for Col d'Aspin.

Photo Gallery of Col d'Aspin.