Ax 3 Domaines / Bonascre 1381m.a.s.l. from Tarascon-Sur-Ariège:
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 train from Tarascon-Sur-Ariège, we arrive at Ax-Les-Thermes station and follow the route on the map;
- 0,2km: (709m.a.s.l.) we turn right onto the D82 bridge and immediately left (direction: Bonascre); we will reach our destination via the D82 road;
- 8,9km: Ax 3 Domaines / Bonascre (1381m.a.s.l.) - the second destination reached; a good place for coffee and/or lunch - many gastronomic points;

The climb profile from Ax-Les-Thermes (0,2km) to Ax 3 Domaines (8,9km) can be found on: climbfinder.com and cyclingcols.com

We descend the same road to Ax-Les-Thermes;
- 17,3km: Ax-Les-Thermes (734m.a.s.l.) city center - a good place for coffee before the next climb;
- 18km: Ax-Les-Thermes (760m.a.s.l.) we turn right onto the D613;
- 27,7km: Col du Chioula (1432m.a.s.l.) second destination reached; 200m after the pass on the right side is the La marmotte toquée restaurant with a beautiful terrace;

The climb profile from Ax-Les-Thermes (18km) to Col du Chioula (27,7km) can be found on: climbfinder.com and cyclingcols.com

We continue on the D613 descending towards Col de Marmare;
- 30km: Col de Marmare (1361m.a.s.l.) - continuing on the D613;
- 33,3km: Prades (1241m.a.s.l.) - on the left is a drinking water intake; on the right is the gastronomic point La Bexane;
- 37,8km: Camurac (1224m.a.s.l.) on the right side is a gastronomic point;
- 44,2km: Belcaire (1007m.a.s.l.) on the left side is a grocery store;
- 47,9km: (919m.a.s.l.) we turn left onto the D29 (direction: Belesta);
- 62km: Belesta (530m.a.s.l.) - we turn left and after 150m turn left again onto the D9; there are no directional signs;
- 66,2km: Fougax-et-Barrineuf (543m.a.s.l.) - on the left is a grocery store; the climb begins;
- 74,3km: Montségur (892m.a.s.l.) we enter the center where there are gastronomic points - a good place for coffee;
- 76,2km: Col de Montségur (1059m.a.s.l.) - another destination reached;

The climb profile from Fougax-et-Barrineuf (66,2km) to Col de Montségur (76,2km) can be found on: climbfinder.com and cyclingcols.com

- 80,6km: Montferrier (715m.a.s.l.) - we turn left onto the D209b (Centre Ville) and after 100m turn left again onto the D209; the climb begins;
- 85,1km: Col de la Lauze (948m.a.s.l.)

The climb profile from Montferrier (80,6km) to Col de la Lauze (85,1km) can be found on: climbfinder.com and cyclingcols.com

- 100km: Celles (489m.a.s.l.) turn left onto D117 (direction: Montgailhard);
- 101,1km: (475m.a.s.l.) turn left onto D309 to cross Saint-Paul-de-Jarrat;
- 103,3km: (453m.a.s.l.) rejoin D117; there is a bakery/patisserie "Le Saint Paul by J.A" on the right after the roundabout;
- 103,9km: (445m.a.s.l.) enter the roundabout and take the third exit onto D618;
- 104km: (444m.a.s.l.) - 50m after leaving the roundabout, turn right onto D73 (no directional sign);
- 105,6km: (474m.a.s.l.) rejoin D618 and continue through Mercus-Garrabet and Bompas to reach Tarascon-Sur-Ariège.

- Video of Tour de France (2013 - stage 8) - climb from Ax-Les-Thermes to Ax 3 Domaines/Bonascre - presented on the YouTube channel Ciclismo Grandi Giri

Statistics for Ax 3 Domaines / Bonascre can be found on the website procyclingstats.com as well as for Col du Chioula on the website procyclingstats.com

   Download the route in: gpx

Statistics of the ascent from Ax-Les-Thermes to Ax 3 Domaines / Bonascre:
- start at an altitude of 709m.a.s.l. (0,2km) finish at 1381m.a.s.l. (8,9km)
- total elevation difference: 672m
- distance: 8,7km
- average gradient: 7,9%
- max gradient on a 100m stretch: 12%

Ax 3 Domaines / Bonascre in Google Street View:

Statistics of the ascent from Ax-Les-Thermes to Col du Chioula:
- start at an altitude of 760m.a.s.l. (18km) finish at 1432m.a.s.l. (27,7km)
- total elevation difference: 732m
- distance: 9,7km
- average gradient: 7,2%
- max gradient on a 100m stretch: 12%

Col du Chioula in Google Street View:

Statistics of the ascent from Fougax-et-Barrineuf to Col de Montségur:
- start at an altitude of 543m.a.s.l. (66,2km) finish at 1059m.a.s.l. (76,2km)
- total elevation difference: 516m
- distance: 10km
- average gradient: 4,5%
- max gradient on a 100m stretch: 12%

Col de Montségur in Google Street View:

Statistics of the ascent from Montferrier to Col de la Lauze:
- start at an altitude of 715m.a.s.l. (80,6km) finish at 948m.a.s.l. (85,1km)
- total elevation difference: 233m
- distance: 4,5km
- average gradient: 5,2%
- max gradient on a 100m stretch: 10,9%

Col de la Lauze in Google Street View: