Luz Ardiden – Amongst The Sheep | Art Print

Luz Ardiden is one of the prettiest climbs we’ve done. Set in the French Pyrenees, in the Occitanie Region, Luz Ardiden is a ski resort found to the North West of Luz Saint Sauveur.

Since 1985 Luz Ardiden has featured as a stage Finish in the Tour de France and even the Vuelta Espana. Controversially in its first appearance misinformation from Greg Lemond’s coach led him to slow down. Although he won the stage if he had continued at his full race pace he would have won the Tour de France that year. Instead, Bernard Hinault won. During the 2003 Tour de France, Lance Armstrong was riding with Iban Mayo at the start of the climb to Luz Ardiden when Armstrong crashed, bringing Mayo down with him. The fall was caused when Armstrong caught the handlebar of his bike on the strap of a spectator’s bag. Jan Ulrich, who was riding just behind Armstrong and Mayo, avoided the crash, and in an act of chivalry, he slowed to wait for the fallen riders. Armstrong would go on to win by his smallest-ever margin.

But its infamous history is irrelevant to its beauty. The feeling like you’re in a land which has been sculpted by a divine power is what makes Luz Ardiden so special. From the start, you climb up and away from Luz Ardiden with stone walls and the town quickly lowering beneath you. Into the trees, until you pass Ferme des Cascades (an Ecological farm) and the hamlet of Sazos. You remain in the trees with hairpins for quite a while, but at 9km the drama starts. The trees fade away and the views open up. From here you will be in the garden of Eden. Beautifully flowing hairpin bends with lush greens, sheep, farmsteads and empty roads. We can’t think of another climb like it.

A super pretty climb/road, which should be a must-do when in the Pyrenees. The only thing which lets it down is the finish. A pretty ugly car park. The upside is few cars in the summer as it is for skiing and a dead end.

Stats: 1005m of ascent in 13.3km. Average gradient of 7.3%. Elevation: 1720m (5,643 ft) Hairpins: 24

Don’t see the print you’d like? please reach out to: store@epiccols.com

About the Photographer – Daniel Hughes

Epic Cols is a passion project for rider and photographer Daniel Hughes. Hughes is a Sony Photographic ambassador who works with some of the world’s largest and most renowned outdoor brands. His work can be seen in galleries, magazines, online publications and on his clients’ channels.