Cycling Route
Troumouse > Tentes

Rolling out of l'Argalyde toward Argelès-Gazost today...

Riding up through the centre of Pierrefitte, the cycling cafe Scapavelo is run by local cyclist Nicolas Garcia who designs and sews great looking jerseys you can buy in-store.

Beyond the hydro-electric plant in Soulom, you'll come to the round-about where the traffic can be a little heavier.

"The gorge road" heading towards Luz Saint-Sauvier is pretty road that can be spoiled by heavy traffic. The running water of the Gave (river) is often drowned out by large trucks and cars zooming past you.

If you want to beat the traffic, do this route very early in the morning.

When heading up the gorge in the morning, you're almost guaranteed to have a headwind as you battle up a gentle gradients most of the way.

If you're riding in a large group, don't be afraid to spread out into smaller groups and always ride single file to make it easier for traffic to pass you. You can always re-group at the bottom of your first climb.

A local secret is the shortcut road via Sassis. This will avoid the relatively busy centre of Luz Saint-Sauveur

Heading up through Gèdre, you'll get a quick glimpse of the Breche de Roland. Another little hidden gem in Gèdre is Restaurant La Grotte which has a terrace out the back facing onto its own private waterfall and escarpment.

Descending back from Gavarnie is a real treat. A nice wide road with not too many technical bends.

Coming through Gedre... take it easy going over the cobbled bands across the road.

Turning off the main road before reaching Luz Saint-Sauveur, you'll cross the impressive Napoleon Bridge with the big "N" on the front of it. This will take you through the historic spa village of Saint-Sauveur towards the roundabout that is the start of Luz Ardiden.

Keeping away from Luz Saint-Sauveur, the road through Sassis eventually links up with the main gorge road and down towards Pierrefitte.

Heading back down the gorge, you're almost guaranteed to experience a headwind but luckily it is a downhill run most of the way.

This route provides a shortcut winding through the industrial sector of Soulom to connect through to the rail-trail starting at the old train station of Pierrefitte-Nestalas, La Voie Verte.

La Voie Verte might be car-free but is often filled with pedestrians and dogs walking. So watch your speed and avoid riding in very large groups

It's a nice flat arrival back to l'Argalyde at the end of your ride.