A demanding narrow road to Col de Portel in the French Pyrenees

Col de Portel is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.432m (4,698ft) above the sea level, located in the Ariège department in southwestern France.

Col de Portel

Located in the French Pyrenees, the road to the summit is called D72. It links Saint-Girons and Foix in the "massif de l'Arize". It’s asphalted, very narrow and unprotected by guardrails. The pass has been climbed by the Tour de France bicycle race.

There are 2 routes to reach the summit. Starting from Biert, the ascent is 16.2 km long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 842 meters. The average percentage is 5.2 %. And starting from Col Crouzette, the ascent is 3.5 km long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 181 meters. The average percentage is 5.2 %.