By bicycle!
The Cols of the Tour de France
The main cols close to the Louron valley are:
Col de Peyresourde (1’ere category)
From the summit of the Col, at 1569m, the area offers 2 views: to the west – the summits of the Aure valley (up to Neouville) and, to the east – the Larboust valley (bucolic and welcoming) dominated to the south by the massive summits of the Luchon area.
Col de Val Louron-Azet (1’ere category)
Culminating at 1580m, this col joins the Aure valley (St. Lary) to the Louron valley (Génos ). The gradient is 7% on average.
Port de Balès (no category)
On passing over its 1755m, it is possible to rejoin the Barousse valley (Mauléon Barousse) at the Vallée d’Oueil (Bagnères de Luchon). Its average gradient is 6%.
Col d’Aspin (1’ere category)
To the north east – the pine forest of Payolle. To the north west – the Pic du Midi (with its antenna). To the west – the solitary Arbizan. To the east – the valley of the Neste is laid out at your feet, and to the south : - the Louron valley extends to the high peaks of the Luchon area.
The Tour de France valley
1991: the stage from Jaca to Val Louron with a first yellow jersey for Miguel Indurain, who kept it to Paris. This exceptional sportsman dominated the following 5 years
1997: the stage from Pau to Loudenvielle with a victory for Laurent Brochard, the same year world champion at St. Sebastien
2003: the stage St Girons to Loudenvielle to celebrate 100 years of the tour
16 July 2007: the stage from Mondavela/Foix to Loudenvielle
23 July 2007: the stage Foix to Loudenvielle, won by Kim Kirchen after Alexandre Vinokowo was disqualified
VTT
110 kms of marked tracks to practice VTT all across the valley
The VTT club of Luchon-Louron offers a free guide to practitioners in order for everyone to discover the mountains.
25 marked circuits offering all types of pleasure and security. From circuits for beginners to those for highly competent sportsmen from forest routes to mountain paths, steep narrow pathways to broad meadows.
The circuits chosen are for all levels of ability. It is possible to take the telesiege at Myrtilles to Val Louron to enjoy a descent down the pistes and the traverse of Myrtilles.