Piau Engaly

Start Town	Altitude	Elevation Gain	Length	Gradient	Difficulty	Rating
St-Lary-Soulan	1,870m	1,050m	20.0 km	5.3%	675	****

Climb Description

Piau Engaly is a climb to a ski resort in the central part of the High Pyrenees region. It is a fairly easy climb for the most part, with the gradient only increasing to a challenging level in the final 7km.

The climb was the stage finish in the Tour de France in 1999, with Fernando Escartin the first across the line. However, the nearby climb to Pla d'Adet has generally been preferred by the race organisers.

Piau Engaly is usually is open throughout the year. In winter, the snow is cleared to enable access to the ski resort.

Roads & Traffic

The road surface is in good condition throughout.

The first part of the climb through Aragnouet can carry some traffic, including trucks, as it is the road to the Bielsa tunnel into Spain. But it is not a main vehicle pass and so is generally not too bothersome for cyclists. After turning right (at 13km) the road is very quiet.

Alternative Routes

This is the only way to climb Piau Engaly by road.

Nearby Climbs

Pla d'Adet

Col d'Azet

Route des Lacs

Col de Portet

Col d'Aspin

Hourquette d'Ancizan

Col de Peyresourde

Cycling Holidays

Piau Engaly can be climbed as an optional extension on our Best Of The Pyrenees cycling holiday. But we recommend giving preference to the more spectacular climbs to Col de Portet and Route des Lacs.

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