17  Eaux-Bonne - Col de Tortes  17 km

Eaux-Bonne

Col de Tortes                              17 km

For the first two hours we followed the road D 918 to Gourette. This was a modern wintersport community. Here we found a good well stocked food store. Nearby on a lawn we had our second breakfast while people walked by. Then it was time to move on. The climb out of town with many switch backs was very steep but well maintained. It was a mostly sunny day. Finally we arrived at Col de Tortes (1.799 m). A short downhill later we where back at road D 918. Instead of the trail we followed the almost completely devoid of motorised traffic road. There are two short tunnels on the road. Near Cabane de Bettorte we left the road to climb up to Col de Saucéde. Near Cabane de Saucede we set up our tents at a good campsite. This was rather early for us. Later we were visited by cows.

View from road to Gourette

Centre of Gourette

View back while ascenting to Col de Tortes

View back to Pic de Cézy

Ascent to Col d'Aubisque with infoboard for cyclists