Col de Lingous and Col de la Croix Blanche

This riding route is a great option to take for a ‘lighter’ recovery ride. Whilst there are two cols on this route, they are at a much lower elevation and the gradients are also quite gentle. You will be on quiet country roads for the entire route which takes you past scenic quiet villages and small farms. You will also enjoy the gentle return journey back to Argeles Gazost from Lourdes along the Voie Verte rail trail.

Col de Lingous

The climb of the Col de Lingous is just under eight kilometers long and climbs very gently for the entirety. Indeed at times, you will be wondering if you are on the climb at all, with lovely gradients of three percent. As you wind your way up through the alpine forest road you will see the sign indicating the top of the climb.

Col de la Croix Blanche

The start of the next climb begins once you have reached the summit of the Col de Lingous. It is a shorter climb on quite narrow country roads, some of them only wide enough for a single car. Closer to the top the gradient does kick up to double digits so be aware of that. The summit is indicated with a white iron cross (Croix Blanche in French translates to white cross!) and from here you will enjoy lovely views across to Tarbes. Rolling green pasturelands and small farms really remind you of the quaintness you can find in the Pyrenees.

Suggested cycling route

Riding along on quiet country roads you will pass by local farms with views of the high peaks.

Food and water

There are numerous small villages along this route that will provide you with the opportunity to top up on food and water.

Lourdes is a larger town from which you can look to stop for lunch.

Highlights

• Very quiet, scenic country roads.

• Views across the plains to Tarbes and beyond.

The views looking out across the plains to Tarbes at the top of the Col de la Croix Blanche.

Col de Lingous

Length: 7.9km / 4.91mi

Average gradient: 2.13%

Start point: Lugagnan

Elevation at top: 575m / 1,886mi

Col de la Croix Blanche

Length: 5.7km / 3.54mi

Average gradient: 4.35%

Start point: Col de Lingous

Elevation at top: 823m / 2,700ft

The lush green Tarbes plains are a magnificent vista.

The Col de Lingous is a much more sedate climb!

For the entirety of the ride, you will be on very quiet country back roads.

The white cross of which the Col de la Croix Blanche takes its name is the sign you have reached the top of the climb.

Discover our comprehensive guide to Cycling in the Pyrenees

This is just one of many great cycling routes in the Hautes Pyrenees which you can enjoy. This area of the Pyrenees is very popular with cyclists who are keen to ride some of the famous climbs of the Tour de France for themselves.

If you are not familiar with this region then, our comprehensive guide will help you plan everything you need for your cycling holiday. The guide includes information such as:

• a map of the French Pyrenees with climbs and towns marked
• where to base yourself whist on your cycling holiday
• cycling hotels and lodges
• bike hire outlets
• getting to and from the Pyrenees
• non-cycling attractions and activities in the region

Click here to see a list of cycling routes available in the Pyrenees. We have mapped out 38 rides across five regions within the Pyrenees mountain range for you to explore.