Hautacam and Col de Tramassel

For an overview map and details on every route I have cycled in the Pyrenées see here.

Painting on house at very start of climb:

Hautacam is a ski station above Argelès-Gazost in the Pyrenées. It has appeared 4 times as a mountain top finish in the Tour de France (’94, ’96’, ’00, ’08) – see small photo below for the stage winners.

If you like steady gradients to get a rythym, then you will hate Hautacam. Every time there is an easy stretch it means a 10%, 11%, or steeper stretch is imminent. I started laughing after this pattern repeated itself several times. Hard work.

This region is spoiled for fabulous climbs and Hautacam left me a little cold. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very, very good climb. But …. if you only have a limited time in the region then there are several better choices.

At the top is a sign indicating the finish. But continue because at the FAR side of the big parking lot is a sign for the offical Tour de France finish.

And still, don’t stop there. Recently, the 1.2 km continuation to Col de Tramassel has been paved. You’ll see the sign. A nice restaurant at the end of the paved road.

Perhaps I am a little negative on this climb due to all the “traffic” jams 🙂