Col d'Aspin
Trail Guide
moderate

Col d'Aspin

Hautes-Pyrénées
12 miles
4.5/5
12 mi
Distance
1-1.5 hours
Duration
point to-point
Route Type
4.5/5
Rating
Trail Overview
The hidden gem of the Hautes-Pyrénées. Rising to 1,489 metres, the Col d'Aspin is a beautiful, forested climb that offers a more peaceful experience than its famous neighbour. The western approach from Arreau is 12 km at 6.3% — a steady, rhythmic climb through beautiful forest.
Distance
12 miles
Difficulty
moderate
Surface
Paved, well-maintained
Route Type
point to-point
Location
Arreau to Col d'Aspin, Hautes-Pyrénées, France
Neighborhood
Hautes-Pyrénées

Trail Tags

tour-de-franceforested-climbmoderateclassic
What to Expect on This Aspen Bike Trail

Highlight 1

Beautiful forested climb

Highlight 2

1,489 m summit

Highlight 3

Western approach: 12 km at 6.3%

Highlight 4

Perfect warm-up for Tourmalet

Highlight 5

Tour de France regular
Points of Interest Along the Way
Forested climb

Tour de France

Scenic views
Best Times to Ride

Early Morning (7–10 AM)

The best time to ride in Aspen. Trails are fresh, temperatures are cooler at altitude, and you'll beat the afternoon crowds on popular routes like Maroon Bells.

Late Morning (10 AM–Noon)

Great for longer rides when fully acclimatized. Aim to be off exposed ridgelines by early afternoon as afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer.

Avoid Afternoons in Summer

Aspen summers bring rapid afternoon thunderstorms, especially above treeline. Start early and plan to return before 2–3 PM. Always bring a rain layer.

Gear Up Before You Ride

Before hitting Col d'Aspin, make sure you're fully prepared for high-altitude mountain biking. Check out our local Aspen bike shops for gear, mountain bike rentals, spare tubes, or a quick tune-up.

Aspen Cycling

Aspen's premier mountain bike shop, conveniently located near popular trailheads

Ute Mountaineer

Perfect for last-minute gear, trail maps, or a quick bike check before your ride

Safety Tips for Mountain Biking in Aspen, CO
  • •Wear a helmet: Always wear a properly fitted mountain bike helmet — Aspen trails are technical
  • •Acclimatize first: Aspen sits at 8,000 ft — give yourself 1-2 days to acclimatize before hard rides, especially if flying in
  • •Watch for thunderstorms: Afternoon summer storms build fast in the Rockies — start early and be off exposed terrain by 2 PM
  • •Bring water & snacks: High altitude increases dehydration. Bring more water than you think you need plus energy snacks
  • •Know wildlife etiquette: Aspen has bears, moose, and elk. Make noise on blind corners and know how to react to wildlife
Trail Location
Marker
Leaflet © OpenStreetMap

Arreau to Col d'Aspin, Hautes-Pyrénées, France

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Current Weather
59°F
Mainly Clear
8 mph
Wind
0 mm
Precipitation
Ride Conditions: Good

Decent riding conditions today.

Live data via Open-Meteo · Austin, TX

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