Col du Chioula (Ax-les-Thermes)

Start Town	Altitude	Elevation Gain	Length	Gradient	Difficulty	Rating
Ax-les-Thermes	1,431m	711m	9.7 km	7.3%	687	***

Climb Description

Col du Chioula is a pleasant climb in the eastern part of the French Pyrenees. It has featured four times in the Tour de France, but has fallen out of favour in recent years thanks to the emergence of the nearby Port de Pailhères.

The ascent from Ax-les-Thermes is the more challenging side, with a fairly consistently high gradient, but there is nothing here to really trouble strong cyclists. The scenery is different to the higher passes in the Pyrenees and much of the climb from this side is in forest.

Roads & Traffic

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

Alternative Routes

Col du Chioula can also be climbed in a short ascent from Prades. The top of the Chioula is also only just over 1km from the Col de Marmare.

Nearby Climbs

Ax-3 Domaines

Port de Pailhères

Col de Marmare

Port d'Envalira

Col de Puymorens

Plateau de Beille

Col de Port

Port de Lers

Cycling Holidays

The first part of the Col du Chioula is climbed on our Pyrenees Coast to Coast cycling holiday, before we turn off and continue to Port de Pailhères.

Continuing to the top of the Col du Chioula is an optional extension for stronger riders!

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