Col du Chioula (Prades)

Start Town	Altitude	Elevation Gain	Length	Gradient	Difficulty	Rating
Prades	1,431m	233m	6.3 km	3.7%	105	****

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 climb from Prades is a very easy ascent by itself, but forms part of a chain of minor cols, such as the Col des Sept Frères, Col de Marmare and Pas de Souloumbrie. When combined these form a superb longer ride. The scenery on the Col du Chioula from this side is beautiful; it is largely open with lovely views down to the lush green valley on your left hand side.

Col du Chioula is open throughout the year. Short term closures are possible due to bad weather in winter, but are not especially common.

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 longer ascent from Ax-les-Thermes. 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 from Ax-les-Thermes 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.