Col de Marmare (Pyrenees)

Start Town	Altitude	Elevation Gain	Length	Gradient	Difficulty	Rating
Luzenac	1,361m	755m	16.7 km	4.5%	421	***

Climb Description

Col de Marmare is perhaps the most consistent and gentle climb in the Pyrenees. It rarely, if ever, exceeds 6% gradient over its near 17km, and it rarely drops below 4%. The result is a really enjoyable climb to ride; one that is easy to find a nice rhythm but just about hard enough to make you work.

The Col de Marmare is in forest throughout the ascent and, although there are some really pleasant hairpin bends, there are no spectacular views on the climb. It is a great option to include in a longer route, with, for example, the Col du Chioula, Pas de Souloumbrie, or even - if you are feeling ambitious - Plateau de Beille.

Col de Marmare is open throughout the year. Short term closures are possible due to bad weather in winter, but are not especially common.

Roads & Traffic

The road surface is generally in good condition; if it a little bumpy at times. In summer it is also quite common to find small branches and leaves covering the road in places, which can get a bit slippery when wet.

There is very little traffic on the climb.

Alternative Routes

Col de Marmare can also be climbed starting further south on the N-20, near to Ax-les-Thermes, which follows the small road through the villages of Vaychis and Tignac. This meets up with the climb from Luzenac about half way in the profile above and is a slightly steeper ascent.

Also starting from Ax-les-Thermes, the climb to the Col du Chioula climbs through the village of Ignaux and passes close to the top of the Col de Marmare.

Nearby Climbs

Col du Chioula

Ax-3 Domaines

Port de Pailheres

Port d'Envalira

Col de Puymorens

Plateau de Beille

Col de Port

Cycling Holidays

The first half of the Col de Marmare is climbed on our Pyrenees Coast to Coast cycling holiday, with an optional extension of continuing to the top.

Check out the information below for details of this and some of the other tours that we run in high mountains.