Col des Ares (Fronsac)

Start Town	Altitude	Elevation Gain	Length	Gradient	Difficulty	Rating
Fronsac	797m	330m	8.4 km	4.0%	225	***

Climb Description

Col des Ares is one of the easiest categorized climbs in the Pyrenees. Both sides offer consistently gentle gradients and it is easy to spin along at a nice rhythm. The climb has been used over twenty-five times in the Tour de France, and is often climbed instead of the Col de Menté when the organisers take it easy on the riders. It normally comes early in the stage so is crested first by breakaway riders rather than general classification contenders.

The climb from Fronsac is in forest nearly the whole way. It is a pleasant ascent with a few hairpin bends and some nice rolling corners, and the scenery is enjoyable but not spectacular. The Col des Ares is a good climb to include as part of a longer route rather than as a stand alone ascent.

The Col des Ares is open throughout the year.

Roads & Traffic

The road surface is in good condition throughout and there is little traffic on the climb.

Alternative Routes

Col des Ares can also be climbed starting from Le Job River in the east.

Nearby Climbs

Col de Menté

Port de Balès

Col de Peyresourde

Superbagnères

Col du Portillon

Col de Portet d'Aspet

Artigue

Cycling Holidays

Col des Ares is climbed on our Pyrenees Coast to Coast and Best Of The Pyrenees cycling holidays.

Check out the information below for details of these and some of the other tours that we run in high mountains.