17.3
PDI
11.4 mi
DISTANCE
3,271 ft
GAINED
5.3 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
This one has a sting in the tail. For the first 14 km the road from Pierrefitte-Nestalas barely gets above 6%, running up the gorge of the Gave de Cauterets beside the river to the old spa town of Cauterets. Then the valley closes in, the road starts climbing hard beside a string of waterfalls, and the last 4 km average close to 9%.
In all it's 18.3 km (11.4 mi) with 997 m (3271 ft) of climbing at a 5.3% average, and the steepest kilometer, a few kilometers above Cauterets, hits 10.7%. You finish at the Pont d'Espagne, the old stone bridge where two torrents meet in a gorge at the entrance to the Pyrenees National Park - the start of the walk up to the Lac de Gaube and one of the best-known spots in the range.
This climb was introduced to us by Niamn Mooney of Pyrenees Cycling Lodge, and we rode it in July 2022 - the photos on this page are from that ride. It's an easy one to slot into a stay anywhere around Argelès, Luz or Cauterets, and the lower half makes a good warm-up for the real climbing at the top.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. The first 14 km are a long, gentle climb up the gorge: 4.8% and 4.6% out of Pierrefitte, then mostly 3-6% (km 5 and 6 are the hardest at about 6%), reaching Cauterets around km 11. Kilometers 12 to 14 run 6.7%, 5.1% and 4.1% through the upper town and along the river.
Then it changes completely. Kilometer 15 is 10.3%, km 16 is 7.5%, km 17 is 9.6% and km 18 is 7.3%, climbing past the waterfalls through the trees, before a short, easier finish at about 3% to the bridge.
Steepest sections on our profile: 0.5 km at 13.9%, 1 km at 10.7%, 2 km at 9.4% and 5 km at 8.1%. Overall: 18.3 km (11.4 mi) at 5.3%, from about 495 m to 1474 m (4837 ft) on our profile.
Roadway: Tarmac from bottom to top on the D920. Riders describe the gorge road below Cauterets as rebuilt and well surfaced after the 2013 floods; above town the road is narrower and twistier as it climbs past the waterfalls, and the descent there needs care, especially when it's damp. The D920 above Cauterets can close at times for snow or maintenance, and the site at the top runs a winter season too, so expect snow and ice from December to March.
Traffic: Busy in the valley up to Cauterets, then lighter, but July and August bring heavy car traffic to the Pont d'Espagne. A shuttle bus runs between Cauterets and the Pont d'Espagne in the summer and winter seasons, which takes some cars off the top road. Ride early in high summer, or come in June or September.
Parking: Park in Pierrefitte-Nestalas for the full climb, or in Cauterets if you only want the steep top section. At the top, cars stop at the Puntas car park, where there's a charge for vehicles entering the Pont d'Espagne site (8 euros in 2026). The last stretch to the bridge itself is best done on foot.
Gear: The gentle first two-thirds won't tell you much about your gearing; the last 4 km will. A compact with a 32 cog at the back makes the 10% ramps above Cauterets much more comfortable. Bring a layer for the descent - the top is close to 1500 m and the gorge stays cool.
Provisions: Cauterets, around km 11, has cafes, bakeries and shops, and it's the obvious place to stop and refill before the steep part. Near the bridge, the Hôtellerie du Pont d'Espagne serves food in season, and there's a bar at the Lac de Gaube for anyone continuing on foot.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Cauterets is a Belle Époque spa town with grand hotels, thermal baths and a long tradition of berlingots, the striped boiled sweets sold all over town. It makes a good base, with plenty of places to stay and eat. From the Pont d'Espagne, the walk up to the Lac de Gaube, with the Vignemale behind it, is the classic outing; lifts from the Pont d'Espagne area can shorten it.
Our Cauterets-Cambasque page covers the short climb to the Cambasque plateau above town. Back down the valley, Argelès-Gazost and Pierrefitte put you within easy reach of Hautacam, the Col du Soulor and the Aubisque, and Luz-Saint-Sauveur, just up the other branch of the valley from Pierrefitte, is the start for Luz Ardiden, the Tourmalet and the road to Gavarnie.
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carlinguernsey
This climb follows the road up through Cauterets to the Pont d'Espagne hiking area and scenic tourist attraction. The road gets a lot of traffic in the summer. The road ends at the Pont d'Espagne parking area (toll for cars). There is water, toilets, and a restaurant at the top. You can do this climb from either Luz St Sauveur or Argeles Gazost.
