Col de Marie Blanque

The Col de Marie-Blanque has featured in the Tour de France 14 times, most recently in the 2010 Tour which had a summit finish on the Tourmalet. Whilst it is a fair distance from Argeles Gazost it is a climb well worth making a trip out to do – either driving part of the way by car or for the more adventurous planning a much more challenging and longer riding loop. The route mapped out on this page encompasses the latter option with just under 147kms (91mi) and 3900m (12,802ft) of climbing. It makes for a hard day on the bike taking in no less than 4 summits. Completing this route will no doubt leave you feeling like a champion.

Image courtesy of Gilles Guillamot / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

Col de Marie-Blanque

From the starting point at Bielle cycling the Col de Marie Blanque from this approach provides for a longer ascent but with much kinder average gradients. That said, you will encounter the steepest gradients of 8% early on within the first few kilometers of the climb. After the first 3 kilometers though the worst is behind you and the climb continues gently to the summit. As the road winds in and out of the trees, you will start to see the big surrounding mountains come into view. The Plateau de Bénou just a few kilometers shy of the summit itself is a magnificent sight to behold and from here you know the top is not too far away.

Suggested cycling route

Distance: 147km / 91.5mi

Start elevation: 470m / 1,541ft

Max elevation: 1,709m / 5,607ft

Metres climbed: 3,902m / 12,802ft

Metres descended: 3,902m / 12,802ft

Categorised climbs: 4

This route takes you back over the Col d’Aubisque and those famous Tour de France big bikes!

Food and water

Food and water are available in numerous villages along this route as well as at the top of the Col du Soulor and the Col d’Aubisque. Given the length of this ride, we recommend you always make sure you have plenty of water and food onboard.