Port de Bales – Where The Sheep Roam | Art Print

Port de Bales for years remained as just a farmer’s track. A track for them to tend to their sheep and cows high up in the hills/mountains. It was only in the 1980s that Port de Bales became accessible when it got made into a passable road, but like Col de Portet this quickly became unusable due to the harsh conditions it faces throughout the winter. It was in 2006 when the Tour de France transformed it and made it usable again. By the way, if ever you want to find the current Tour de France roads, they’re easy to spot, as preparation for them starts in late May/June. Spot the fresh asphalt!

Port de Bales found in the French Pyrenees connects the village of Ferrère (to the north) to that of Bourg-d’Oueil, Haute-Garonne (south-east). Or more significantly it links to famous climbs like Peyragudes via Garin. Often closed for large periods during the winter, so worth checking if it is open if you’re thinking of visiting in late may/early June.

From Garin (a small township to the south of Peyragudes) you descend down to the smallest of left turns with a sign to Port de Bales. Zero fanfare. The first few km are steep until a very pretty section going through the hamlet of Saint-Paul-D’Oueil (some rustic buildings). From there you make your way up the valley with lush pastures, trees and green hills surrounding you. At Bourg d’Oueil (13km from Garin) two hairpin bends and at 16km the mood changes significantly. Huge reveals make you want to go faster to see what is around the corner and even bigger ramps in gradient. The business end of the climb. A final hairpin bend with a final push of 1.5km to get to the summit of Port de Bales and fantastically rolling, grassland views (no jagged mountains).

Very pretty (We love the feeling of remoteness), and we’d choose it over col d’Aspin and even Peyragudes any day of the week. You’ll be unlucky to see more than 1 car the entire time also.

Stats: 912m of ascent in 15.4km. Average gradient of 5.8%. Elevation: 1,755 m (5,758 ft) Hairpins: 3

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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.