Col de Portel 1432m.a.s.l. from Foix:
1. Directions:
How to get to Tarascon-sur-Ariège, where to stay, rent a bike or park the car, can be found here
2. Route description with suggestions for meal and/or water refueling stops:
By regional train, we can reach Foix station from Tarascon-sur-Ariège in 15 minutes, where we start our route according to the map;
- 0,3km: (392m.a.s.l.) - turn right onto D919 road;
- 1,3km: (379m.a.s.l.) - turn right onto a bridge towards D117 road (signposted for Saint Girons);
- 2,1km: (415m.a.s.l.) - continue straight onto D17 road (signposted for Col des Marrous);
- 20km: Col des Marrous (983m.a.s.l.) - on the left side is the Auberge-les-Myrtilles restaurant; continue on D17 road;
- 28,3km: Col de Péguère (1375m.a.s.l.) turn right onto D72 road (signposted for Col de Portel);

The climb profile from La Mouline (10,3km) to Col de Péguère (28,3km) can be found on: climbfinder.com

- 31,9km: Col du Portel (1432m.a.s.l.) - main goal achieved;

The climb profile from Foix (1,9km) to Col de Portel (31,9km) can be found on: cyclingcols.com website and the climb profile from Col de Portel can be found on climbfinder.com

Continue on D72 road, descending towards Col de la Crouzette;
- 35,4km: Col de la Crouzette (1245m.a.s.l.) - turn left onto D18b road (signposted for Biert);
- 43,8km: Biert (593m.a.s.l.) - turn left onto D618 road, with "Le Gypaete Barbu" on the left;
- 46,9km: Massat (657m.a.s.l.) - 70m before the center, there is a place to refill drinking wateron the right; in the center, there are food points and a grocery store; continue on D618 road - the climb begins; - 59,7km: Col de Port (1249m.a.s.l.) - second goal achieved; after the pass, the Auberge de la Sapiniere restaurant is on the left;

The climb profile from Massat (46,9km) na Col de Port (59,7km) can be found on:: climbfinder.com and cyclingcols.com

Descend on D618 road towards Tarascon-sur-Ariège;
- 75,8km: (490m.a.s.l.) at the roundabout, take the second exit towards Tarascon-sur-Ariège and ride back to the starting point.

   Download the route in: gpx

Statistics of the ascent from La Mouline to Col de Portel:
- start at an altitude of 503m.a.s.l. (10,3km) finish at 1432m.a.s.l. (31,9km)
- total elevation difference: 994m
- distance: 21,6km
- average gradient: 4,8%
- max gradient on a 100m stretch: 15%

Col de Portel in Google Street View:

Statistics of the ascent from Massat to Port de Lers:
- start at an altitude of 657m.a.s.l. (46,9km) finish at 1517m.a.s.l. (59,7km)
- total elevation difference: 617m
- distance: 12,8km
- average gradient: 4,7%
- max gradient on a 100m stretch: 7%

Port de Lers in Google Street View: