Col de Tentes 2208m.a.s.l. from Argeles Gazost, via Ayros-Arbaix:
1. Directions:
How to get to Argeles Gazost, 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:
We're starting the route according to: the map;
- 0,8m: (433m.a.s.l.) turn right onto the Voie Verte des Gaves bike path;
- 5,9km: (468m.a.s.l.) turn right off the bike path onto Rue Saint Vincent;
- 6,6km: Pierrefitte Nestalas (489m.a.s.l.): grocery stores and restaurants;
- 18,8km: take the D921 road to Luz Saint Sauveur (719m.a.s.l.): restaurants and a bike shop in the center;
- 29,8km: take the 2-3% grade road to Gedre (1000m.a.s.l.) - before the most difficult part of the climb, it's worth refilling your water and having a coffee in one of the several cafés; there's a public toilet on the left side near a large parking lot;
- 30,3km: (1030m.a.s.l.) - on the left side behind the church is a drinking water source;
- 38km: Gèdre - Gavarnie (1383m.a.s.l.) - restaurants;
- 38,5km: (1030m.a.s.l.) - on the left side behind the church is a drinking water source;
- 48,7km: destination reached: Col de Tentes (2208m.a.s.l.);

The climb profile from Luz Saint Sauveur (18,8km) to Col de Tentes (48,7km) can be found on: climbfinder.com and cyclingcols.com

- 76,5km: after descending the same road, turn onto the Napoleon Bridge (Pont Napoléon) before Luz Saint Sauveur;
- 91,1km: turn left onto the "Voie Verte des Gaves" bike path to reach Argelès-Gazost;

The toughest section of the climb from Gèdre to Col de Tentes is presented on the Indoor Cycling Training channel on YouTube Bike the World

Col de Tentes is located within the Pyrenees National Park (Parc national des Pyrénées) and has never been the site of major cycling races, but it's worth riding this route for its challenging character and beautiful views.

   Download the route in: gpx

Other routes leading to Col de Tentes:
- from Luz-Saint-Sauveur - 60km

Statistics of the ascent from Luz Saint Sauveur to Col de Tentes:
- start at an altitude of 714m.a.s.l. (18,8km) finish at 2208m.a.s.l. (48,8km)
- total elevation difference: 1522m
- length of the climb: 30km
- average gradient: 5,1%
- max gradient on a 100m stretch: 11%

Col de Tentes in Google Street View: