Col de Somport

Start Town	Altitude	Elevation Gain	Length	Gradient	Difficulty	Rating
Bedous	1,640m	1,175m	24.5 km	4.8%	428	**

Climb Description

Somport is a picturesque climb in the Pyrenees. The climb from this side begins in the village of Bedous and continues all the way to the border with Spain, mostly at very gentle gradients.

The Somport has been used once in the Tour de France and once in the Vuelta a España, but is most famous in cycling circles for forming part of the route for the Quebrantahuesos Gran Fondo.

Fortunately the Quebrantahuesos is ran on closed roads and so avoids the main issue with the Somport - the traffic. This is the main border crossing between France and Spain in the Central Pyrenees, and the tunnel at the top ensures that it remains open throughout the year. There are a lot of cars and lorries using the climb and it does significantly affect the enjoyment when you are cycling it. If you are set on doing the pass, it

The French side is marginally more enjoyable than the Spanish side as it has a longer top section with relatively little traffic, but there are other more enjoyable climbs in the area, which we would certainly recommend ahead of this one.

Roads & Traffic

The road is in very good condition throughout.

Somport is busy throughout the year. It is the main pass in the central Pyrenees and the tunnel near to the top of the climb ensures that it is open throughout the year. The traffic is generally fast moving and there are numerous heavy good vehicles using the route.

Most of the traffic does turn off at the tunnel 8km from the summit. From here you can expect it to be significantly quieter as you enter the Pyrenees National Park, but you will meet up with the traffic again as you descend the other side into Spain.

Alternative Routes

The Somport can also be climbed from the Spanish side, starting in Jaca

Nearby Climbs

Col de Marie Blanque

Col d'Aubisque

Col du Pourtalet

Col de la Pierre St Martin

Port de Larrau

Col de Bagargi

Cotefablo

Cycling Holidays

We do not climb the Col de Somport on any of our cycling holidays.

Our Pyrenees Coast to Coast tour does pass nearby though as it tackles the Col de Marie Blanque.

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