Less than 30 minutes by car from the Ariège évasion , passing through the village of Les Cabannes, you arrive at the Plateau de Beille.
A Tour in Ariège! The Tour de France in Ariège.
The Plateau de Beille is a Pyrenean mountain range located in the Ariège department. It lies south of the Ariège valley, between Tarascon-sur-Ariège and Ax-les-Thermes, less than 10 km as the crow flies from the ARIEGE EVASION campsite. The legendary Plateau de Beille is situated above the villages of Les Cabannes, Albiès, and Lassur. Road access to the plateau (D 522) starts from Les Cabannes.
It is the largest Nordic skiing area in the Pyrenees. The cross-country ski trails are laid out between 1,800 and 2,000 meters in altitude, facing the border ridge with Andorra. For a long time, the plateau was primarily used for livestock farming, especially Gascon cattle.
The GR10, a long-distance hiking trail that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, crosses the Plateau de Beille.
Since 1998, the climb from Les Cabannes to the plateau has regularly been the final ascent of a Tour de France stage. Riders like Ullrich, Pantani, Jalabert, Contador, Rasmunsen, Froome, and Pogačar have all battled for victory there. The Plateau de Beille is also notable for the fact that many winners of this challenging climb have gone on to win the Tour in Paris.
This summit finish, thanks to the Tour de France's unique perspective, has brought international renown to the Ariège mountains!
TheAriégeoise occasionally finishes at Beille.
In winter, the snow falls with metronome-like regularity. The oceanic influence often brings meters of snow, and if an easterly wind shifts over the Mediterranean, the plateau accumulates over 10 meters of snow in a single year!
Exceptional snow cover and cross-country skiing.
In summer the plateau is the ideal terrain for family hikes offering breathtaking 360° views of the Ariège mountains.
The athlete from the Beille resort and local girl is Laure Bosc who passionately leads biathlon training courses on the Beille plateau.
The wildlife:
Pyrenean wildlife found on the Plateau de Beille: The Western Capercaillie and the Ptarmigan.
The OGM and its work on Beille. OGM? Yes, agents from the French Office for Biodiversity come to Beille to manage and study the Western Capercaillie and the Ptarmigan. OGM is the acronym for Mountain Galliformes Observatory.
Quiet zones exist and must not be crossed. Please respect these protected areas. Nature is fragile, and we have a duty to be its guardians.
Beille by bike:
Technical sheet for the mythical ascent:
Ascent profile
Start: Les Cabannes (535 m) via Pech Finish: 1,790 m Elevation Gain: 1,255 m Length: 15.9 km Gradient: 7.9% Hors-Catégorie ClimbA formidable climb with a 7.9% gradient over 15.9km. Before reaching the summer pastures, the first 12 kilometers are a tough ascent through the forest. The arrival at Les Cabannes doesn't exactly set your calves ablaze. After passing the post office, you'll hit a steep ramp! A wall! The Château de Gudanes offers a beautiful backdrop to take your mind off things. The respite is short-lived, the tarmac becomes rougher. As the pros say, "all the way to the left," your bike's gearing will need to allow you to maintain balance and a minimum speed...
The effort is long, intense...
The passage at the Henri IV fountain is one of the steepest: 9%!
Nothing consistent to finish! A short, all-too-brief flat section before the Cabanne de Pierrefite and two final hairpin bends with a gentler gradient, and you're at the finish line at 1800m! The large car park where the finish line of the Tour de France is marked all year round! Yes, you did it!
Useful links:
Angaka Nordic Village, the dog sledding base, offers dog sledding rides all winter long. In the summer, you can try dog karting, visit the sled dog team, and enjoy many other activities.
ARIEGE EVASION 's guides offer half-day or full-day hikes on the Plateau de Beille. These mountain professionals will introduce you to the natural environment in winter with snowshoes.
Every Sunday morning a large market featuring local produce takes place in the Place des Cabannes.
