Col du Tourmalet

Pyrenees, France

Gradient:

<4%

4–7%

7–10%

10–12%

>12%

Approach route

APPROACH ROUTES

Col du Tourmalet

from Luz-Saint-Sauveur

Distance

18.9km

Elevation

1406m

Avg %

7.4%

Max %

14.9%

<4%4–7%7–10%10–12%>12%

Col du Tourmalet

from Campan

Distance

17.1km

Elevation

1267m

Avg %

7.4%

Max %

15.2%

<4%4–7%7–10%10–12%>12%

Col du Tourmalet is a Hors Catégorie ascent in the Pyrenees, France, topping out at 2 115 m. The Campan approach is the hardest — 17.1 km at 7.4%, 1 267 m gained, maxing at 15.2%. The steepest kilometre averages 13.3%, around km 12.6. It can also be climbed from Luz-Saint-Sauveur (18.9 km at 7.4%): 2 measured approaches in all, each profiled kilometre-by-kilometre against Copernicus GLO-30 elevation data. On the Fiets scale it rates 10.5, among the region's hardest. Above the treeline the summit holds snow well into spring, so the dependable riding window runs roughly June to October.