Ardennes climbs

dieselgeezer
dieselgeezer Posts: 231
edited August 2012 in Tour & expedition
Looking to spend 5 days in the Ardennes doing around 80 miles a day. I'm compiling a list of the well known & not so well known climbs. Any suggestions? Also looking to stay at youth hostels. Which would best suit geographically? All suggestions would be welcome.
-- "I am but a spoke in the wheel of life" -- Ghandi

Comments

  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    Cote de la Redoute, Cote de Wanne, Cote de Stockeu, and Mur de Huy are probably the most famous climbs from Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Fleche Wallonne. The largest concentration of well-known climbs is in the area of Aywaille/Spa/Stavelot/Trois-Ponts. That's probably also the best area to stay in, with lots of tourism and accommodation of different types. Not sure about youth hostels.
    The areas further South, around La-Roche-en-Ardenne or Bouillon are great for cycling too, with some great climbing, although not the well-known ones of pro cycling. Dutch Limburg around Maastricht and Valkenburg, with climbs of the Amstel Gold Race and this year's World Champs (Cauberg, Keutenberg, etc) is within a day's riding too.

    Although the town centre has been regenerated, most of Liege and surroundings is a bit of a post-industrial dump, to be avoided

    Climbs in the Ardennes are a bit like in the Peak District, similar elevations and a mix of very steep but shorter and long but gradual climbs.

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