Hautacam
Trail Guide
hard

Hautacam

Hautes-Pyrénées
13.6 miles
5/5
13.6 mi
Distance
2-2.5 hours
Duration
point to-point
Route Type
5/5
Rating
Trail Overview
A brutal, unforgiving climb that has decided many Tour de France stages. Rising to 1,520 metres, the Hautacam features a savage, irregular gradient and a devastating final 4 km. The climb from Argelès-Gazost is 13.6 km at 7.8% average, with sections reaching 13-14%.
Distance
13.6 miles
Difficulty
hard
Surface
Paved, well-maintained
Route Type
point to-point
Location
Argelès-Gazost to Hautacam, Hautes-Pyrénées, France
Neighborhood
Hautes-Pyrénées

Trail Tags

tour-de-francebrutalsummit-finishclimbing
What to Expect on This Aspen Bike Trail

Highlight 1

Brutal Tour de France summit finish

Highlight 2

1,520 m summit

Highlight 3

13.6 km at 7.8% average

Highlight 4

Final 4 km average over 9%

Highlight 5

Sections reaching 13-14%
Points of Interest Along the Way
Tour de France

Summit finish

Brutal gradients

Switchbacks
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 Hautacam, 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

Argelès-Gazost to Hautacam, 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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