Lac d'Estaing.

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Saint Savin, Midi-Pyrénées, FR

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Route Overview

Vélo Peloton Pyrénées

Cyclist accommodation and bike rental.

21 mi.

2,541 ft.

An epically beautiful ride through Val d'Azun to Lac d'Estaing. Don't forget your camera.

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Route Details

# Lac d'Estaing
Lac d'Estaing is a small lake in a glacial valley near the French Spanish border. At an elevation of 1163 m, it is sourounded by 3000m high peaks. It's surface area is 0.086 km².

In 20 years cycling in the Pyrénées I have not found a road I like cycling more than this one.
The route starts in [Saint-Savin](http://velopeloton-cycling-pyrenees.bike/photo-gallery/index.php?/category/saint-savin) so you will have a bit of climbing to do from Argeles-Gazost or Pierrefitte-Nastalas to get there, about 100m. The climb from Saint-Savin to the lake is Cat 2.

Saint-Savin is a stunnely beautiful village with @poi[medieval buildings](1083795) dating to the 7th century. The view from the village square over the Vallée du Lavedan is one of the best in the Pyrénees. Start with a coffee or finish with a beer in Café de la Poste in the village square. This cafe was build in the 15th century.

From Saint-Savin take road D13 direction Arcizan-Avant. You will start climbing stright away but you wont feel any pain as around every corner is another amazing vista. 1.5km up the climb the grade eases in the pretty village of Arcizan-Avant. 1km after the village there is a very steep pitch up to 13% before the road goes downhill. At the 5km mark the road rears up for 1km at over 10% and with a max of 18%, it's going to hurt. The good news it that after this it is an easy climb (by Pyreneen standards) at an average less than 5%.

Through the hamlet of Estaing there is a campsite with a cafe, or on the other side of the road you can find a tap with very good drinking water. After Estaing the road tends to undulate a bit with some steep pitches particulary near the top. By this time you will be sourounded by massive peaks up to 3000m high.

Finally you will arrive to the lake where the valley opens up to reveal this grand vista of Lac d'Estaing. The road is flat for the last kilometre around the lake. There is a @poi[cafe](1083787) by the lake which offers good food at a resonable cost. The French Spanish border runs along the ridge to the south of the valley.

Descend on the same road back to Saint-Savin.

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Lac d'Estaing.

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