Between the Col d'Aubisque and the Col du Soulor lies the Cirque du Litor — a traverse carved directly into a cliff face with sheer drops on one side and rock wall on the other. No barriers. On a motorcycle it is one of the most extraordinary kilometres in the Pyrenees, and the reason that most experienced riders consider the Aubisque-Soulor combination the finest single day-ride in the range.
The Approach from Eaux-Bonnes — Long, Exposed, Magnificent
The western approach from Laruns through Eaux-Bonnes is the classic line. The road climbs steadily through beech forest before breaking above the treeline into open moorland — a landscape change that happens without warning and immediately changes the register of the ride. The gradient is sustained but not savage, the road surface generally good, though narrowing in places where rock overhangs the tarmac on the upper section.
"Between the Aubisque and the Soulor, the road runs along the cliff like a ledge. No barriers. Just tarmac, a drop, and the whole of the Pyrenees below."
The Cirque du Litor — The Kilometre That Defines the Ride
The traverse between the Col d'Aubisque and the Col du Soulor — roughly 8 kilometres of narrow mountain road etched into the cliff face — is the reason most motorcyclists come here. The drop to the valley floor on the southern side is immediate and considerable. The best time to ride this section is early morning, before 9am, when the road is empty and the light is low and lateral across the cliff face.
Col d'Aubisque — Practical Notes
- Altitude 1,709m — lower than the Tourmalet but more dramatic in character
- Open season Typically June to October; sometimes closed by late-season snow
- Best approach From Laruns (west) for the full climb — or from Arrens (east) to ride the cliff traverse with the drop on your left
- Traffic Summer weekends can be busy; ride early for the best experience
- Always combine With the Col du Soulor via the Cirque du Litor — do not ride one without the other
