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This is one of the stars of the Pyrenean foothill passes. It belongs to the group of passes that parallel the main ridge of the Pyrenees as closely as possible on the French side, even if this is at some distance. Other passes that fit that description are Col de Peyresourde and Col de Portet. Col d'Azet sits right in a line between them. But it doesn't have the heavy traffic of the former, and both of its sides can be cycled unlike the latter. This also seems to be a favorite spot for people to stop and just have a pass-top-picnic. I did too, but I do that a lot, so I don't count.

1.(00.0km,0780m)START-END WEST:camping de Loustou, Vielle Aure 2.(04.7km,0920m)Sailhan 3.(06.3km,1000m)Estensan 4.(08.3km,1170m)Azet 5.(13.7km,1580m)TOP: Col d'Azet 6.(20.8km,0990m)Genos 7.(25.2km,0930m)jct with D618 to Col de Peyresroude 8.(33.8km,0740m)START-END EAST:Arreau

Approaches

From East. The profile starts at a roundabout west of St Lary Soulan. The road turns out to be the ultimate vantage point on the lower approach to Col du Portet and its long initial ramps. By the time the climb reached the village Azet, I have already found reasons to stop. An old bicycle turned into a flower holder made me do it. Below is a plaque, honoring a cyclist and his racing accomplishments. And since I have already stopped, the cemetery, just a few feet away is a great place to take more pictures. It's all about location, location, location ... when it comes to cemeteries. The background of mountains is just incredible.

This beautiful little village too, finally becomes nothing more than a collection of toy buildings, when viewed from a handful of switchbacks above. The pass ahead becomes obvious. Behind it looms a white face of a mountain.

The top is great perch: Col du Portet and its mighty collection of walls on one side, Col de Peyresourde cutting through a lower green loaf of a mountain on the other. To the south a group of icy blocks in the 2600 to 3000 meter range form a vague boundary to Spain. Dirt tracks in each direction invite to get an even better overview of the area.

From West. (described downwards). Switchbacks connect together new vantage points on the mountains to the south, and finally reach Loudenville. A billboard at its entrance advertises the fact that here calves are being raised with their mother's milk. The town makes a coherent impression of belonging to a period, that started far in the past, but is still persistently present. From here a new wider road leads down direction Arreau. There are several different options to connect with the next pass to the east, Col de Peyresourde