Top 20 Mountain Passes around Sainte-Engrâce

This climb saves the hardest for last. The last 4-5 km are constantly over 10%. Hang in there.

Without a doubt, the Col de la Piedra de Saint Martin or Pierre Saint-Martin is one of the Top 10 in the whole of the Pyrenees. Without exceeding 2000 metres of altitude, it is a very long pass, with a lot of accumulated gradient (due to the innumerable French slopes, the gradient is 1,450 metres), with very hard slopes and several kilometres above 10%, with wonderful landscapes and panoramic views and with little traffic, except for the slopes crossed by the main road (D132 in France, the NA 137 in Spain). It is a pass with many slopes; in Europe there are few other passes that have as many slopes as this one (col de Turini, Passo delle Erbe, would be comparable in number of slopes approximately). I have only climbed it by 2 slopes: (i) my first time was from Lourdios Ichère, crossing the col de Labays and the col de Soudet. Simply spectacular; (ii) I have subsequently climbed the Spanish side on several occasions, which is unique, and which starts from Belagua and crosses the Belagua cross-country ski resort to reach the mountain pass. It is also very beautiful, with a landscape and views different from the north-east side. If I had to choose one of the two, I liked the north-west side better because it is more remote, harder and in my opinion more authentic. It is also a culturally special mountain pass because the Tribute of the 3 cows takes place on its summit every 13th of July, which is considered the oldest treaty in force in Europe. So... you know... you cannot miss the opportunity to come here and enjoy this wonderful jewel of the Pyrenees!!!!

The Puerto de Laza is a small and beautiful hill that joins the valleys of Roncal (starting from Isaba) and Salazar (starting from Ochagavía) in the Navarrese Pyrenees. Both sides are very similar: a very easy start on a winding road, in perfect condition but without a hard shoulder, passing through small towns and going up the course of the respective rivers Anduña (Salazar valley) and Urbi (Roncal valley); a final stretch of 2 - 3 kms that is harder without being too much so, although there are some slopes above 10%. The Salazar valley side becomes harder when leaving behind the detour to the Larrau port. From here to the port there are 3 km with an average gradient of 7%. On the other hand, the Roncal valley side becomes harder when overcoming a bridge over the river that has been with us since we left Isaba behind. From here it is barely 2 km with an average gradient of 7%. From a landscape perspective, it is a port that I love because you can enjoy the exuberance of the vegetation of the Pyrenees, crossing narrow valleys and only with panoramic views when you reach the top, where there is a viewing point that is worth looking out at. A port that I always recommend for enjoying cycle tourism. I leave you the profile of both sides produced by the website www.cyclingcols.com --> http://www.cyclingcols.com/col/Laza

This descent has a very bumpy road surface, so that my bike computer mount broke. Luckily I had the safety line attached. The scenery, however, is very attractive and remote.

Worthwhile climb with a fantastic view from the summit.

Typical Pyrenees: super beautiful and quite strenuous

It is one of the toughest Pyrenean passes and, in general, little known by the average amateur because it has been used very little in professional cycling races. It is a spectacular port on both sides. The eastern slope, which is the one marked in this section, is completely open, with hardly any vegetation, with a wide road in perfect condition. It is 9 km from the moment you get off the town of Larrau. The first 4 km are irregular, with some ramps that take your hiccups away. The last ones are literally very hard, with an average of 3 km at 12%!!!! The last km eases up a bit because it has a rest... but it also has important ramps. In addition to being tough, this port is spectacular for its landscapes and panoramic views. You can not lose this!!!! I leave you the link for the altimetry published by @cyclingcols --> http://www.cyclingcols.com/col/Bagargui

Or “Bagargui” in its French version. A pass which constitutes a real challenge for any cyclist, because it is classified among the harshest in France, especially when the heat gets involved. The climb begins calmly with a normal slope during which you must take advantage of the opportunity to turn your legs and find your rhythm. Because the big piece soon arrives on the first bends with 5 km of extreme difficulty. Averages of 9.5 then 12, 13, 12.5 and 11% follow one another without any respite. But at the end of the effort you will finally be able to enjoy a magnificent panorama of the ridges and perhaps admire the flight of migratory birds or vultures.