Col d'Aspin

From Arreau: about 12 km at 6.5%; from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, 12.8 km at 5% with a final 5 km near 8%; summit 1,489 m The most approachable of the great Pyrenean passes and a sensible first goal for anyone nervous about the bigger names. It was part of the 1910 stage so hard it was nicknamed the Circle of Death, the Tour's first real venture into high mountains. Because the Campan side starts where the eastern road up the Tourmalet begins, strong riders link the two in one day, and the Peyresourde is a short ride on from Arreau if you want a third.