Cauterets-Cambasque (Pyrenees)

Start Town	Altitude	Elevation Gain	Length	Gradient	Difficulty	Rating
Soulom	1,356m	868m	16.0 km	5.4%	495	****

Climb Description

Cauterets-Cambasque is a pleasant climb which has featured in both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España. It is characterized by gentle slopes until the town of Cauterets, followed by a steep, explosive finish. Stage winners here have included Michael Rasmussen, Miguel Indurain, Richard Virenque and Rafal Majka.

The climb is a bit dull and uninspiring until Cauterets, but improves markedly from there as the hairpin bends start, and the fantastic view at the top makes it all worth the effort.

The climb is open as far as Cauterets throughout the year. From there it can be open depending on weather conditions, with closures possible during periods of significant snowfall. It is usually full open between May and early November.

Roads & Traffic

The road surface is in very good condition throughout.

The road is reasonably quiet for the most part, but expect there to be some traffic on weekends and in the main holidays seasons (summer and winter). After passing the town of Cauterets the traffic becomes significantly quieter.

Alternative Routes

This is the only way to climb to Cauterets-Cambasque.

Nearby Climbs

Col d'Aubisque

Hautacam

Pont d'Espagne

Luz Ardiden

Col du Tourmalet

Cirque de Gavarnie

Cirque Troumouse

Cycling Holidays

Cauterets-Cambasque can be climbed as a route extension option on our Best of the Pyrenees cycling holiday.

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