Home " Members' routes " Country " France route " FR-11 Espezel - Mountain bike 48 km, D+ 1310 m, 14 passes

FR-11 Espezel - Mountain bike 48 km, D+ 1310 m, 14 passes

Author description

Authors Patrick Mandard and Philippe Chazottier
Course carried out on 2 April 2025
Departure At the village of Espezel, near the Route des Rives stadium.

Tourist information

In the Aude Pyrenees, the Sault region consists of a high plateau situated at an altitude of over 1,000 metres and offers magnificent panoramic views of the Ariège Pyrenees. Numerous caves containing traces of prehistoric occupation, some of which are adorned with cave paintings, are scattered throughout this area (not open to the public). In the village of Belvis (not included in this route), there are contemporary murals that reinterpret some of these drawings.
Every last weekend in October, the village of Espezel hosts a livestock fair that attracts some 30,000 visitors. Visit Sault region is also renowned for its potato crops.
The permanent walking route «100 mountain passes along the Atlantic–Mediterranean watershed» crosses this splendid region.
If you only have one day, I'd recommend one of these two routes, starting from the village of Espezel or Belcaire.

Technical specifications

A cycle route at 95 %, alternating between sections through woodland and across the high plateau.

14 passes

1 - Col d'Ubi	1055 m	FR-11-1055b
2 - Col de la Fage	1255 m	FR-11-1255b
3 - Col de Rodes	995 m	FR-11-0995c
4 - Col de la Serre	946 m	FR-11-0946
5 - Le Col	975 m	FR-11-0975
6 - Col de la Clause	1164 m	FR-11-1164
7 - Col des Aychides	1007 m	FR-11-1007
8 - Col des Clausels	977 m	FR-11-0977
9 – Col Notre-Dame	950 m	FR-11-0950
10 - Le Col	1015 m	FR-11-1015a
11 - Col de l'Espinas	995 m	FR-11-0995a
12 - Col du Bès	965 m	FR-11-0965a
13 - Col de la Crouts	825 m	FR-11-0843
14 - Col des Rives	907 m	FR-11-0907

Keywords Espezel, Sault, centcols

Openrunner link, interactive map, profile, track : https://www.openrunner.com/route-details/23190189

This itinerary is provided for information only. The author accepts no liability, nor that of the Club des Cent Cols, for any imponderables due to the cyclist himself, the equipment used or anything to do with the road, tracks and paths, their surroundings or other users.

Photos