The Col de Port from Tarascon-sur-Ariège
A very nice climb, with plenty of shaded areas, which are useful in hot weather. The upper section is magnificent.
moderate
Distance 45.4 km
We didn't do the start from Tarascon-sur-Ariège, but from nearby Mercus, in order to have a slight warm-up before the climb.
Passing the Tarascon traffic, the road climbs quietly and then a little more steadily to Saurat.
From here, after a straight flat, the climb really begins, as the sign indicates (Col de Port, 9.5km, 5.9% average).
The climb takes place in 2 stages:
- 6km of relatively steep climbing, rarely below 7% but never above 10%. Steady but not so easy. The road is fairly shady.
- 3km on the final stretch, superb, with the scenery coming into view on the last few switchbacks, and a gentle climb to the end.
At the finish, you enjoy the sound of cowbells or even horses. You can have a drink at the small inn on the pass.
But above all you enjoy the sound of the horses.
But above all you enjoy a little moment of happiness at more than 1200m and if the weather allows it with a magnificent view.
Author’s recommendation
An ideal climb for beginners on the road to the passes or for the start of the season for the more experienced.

Author
Frédéric Blavoux
Update: June 06, 2020
Difficulty
moderate
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
1,248 m
Lowest point
469 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
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Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
Beware of the traffic on the lower part and in the summer season.Start
Mercus-Garrabet (488 m)
Coordinates:
DD
42.879164, 1.629315
DMS
42°52'45.0"N 1°37'45.5"E
UTM
31T 388058 4748307
w3w
///constitution.acrobatic.sputtering
Destination
Mercus-Garrabet
Parking
Parking is no problem, for example in the main square of Mercus.Coordinates
DD
42.879164, 1.629315
DMS
42°52'45.0"N 1°37'45.5"E
UTM
31T 388058 4748307
w3w
///constitution.acrobatic.sputtering
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Localization
Parts of this content were machine translated using French as the source language
Reviews
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
45.4 km
Duration
2:30 h
Ascent
900 m
Descent
900 m
Highest point
1,248 m
Lowest point
469 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- Waypoints
- Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
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