A Guide to Cycling Col du Tourmalet
Post last updated:
The Col du Tourmalet is one of the most iconic climbs in the French Pyrenees and a favourite of mine. It was first included in the Tour de France race in 1910 and has been featured 87 times since. The summit sits at 2,115m and is reached from Saint Marie Campan on the eastern side and Luz Saint Sauveur on the west. On the eastern side, the climb is 17km in length at an average gradient of 7.4%. The western approach is slightly longer at 19km in length with the same average gradient. It is a “must-ride” climb if you are planning a visit to the Pyrenees.
I have been lucky to have experienced the Col du Tourmalet on many occasions, and have climbed it from both the east and west approaches. My favourite side is probably the approach from Luz Saint Sauveur as I enjoy the scenery as you rise up towards the summit. I find both approaches are equally hard and the average cyclist will be climbing for well over an hour and it took me nearly 2 hours the first time I ever did it. Once at the summit be sure to stop and take in what you have achieved. The interior of the café at the summit is well worth a visit to see the old bikes hanging on the wall which gives you a sense of how hard it must have been for the early pioneers of the climb.
I have put this guide together based on the things I have learned and experienced over the years of visiting the Col du Tourmalet. A top tip from me. Don’t worry if the valley roads are foggy or covered in low-hanging clouds. Often as you near the summit, you will break through the layer of cloud into beautiful clear blue skies and sunshine. The experience of looking back down at the sea of clouds in the valleys is something I never tire of. To get an idea of the conditions at the top you can check out the Col du Tourmalet webcam which looks down towards Luz Saint Sauveur. I hope you enjoy your own visit to this iconic climb.
Click here to see a list of all of our cycling routes available in the Pyrenees. Seek Travel Ride has mapped out 40 rides across five regions within the Pyrenees mountain range for you to explore. The routes incorporate all the famous cycling cols and have downloadable GPX files to help you with navigation.
Col du Tourmalet Climb Statistics
The famous Tour de France race has climbed the Tourmalet a total of 87 times since it was first used in 1910. The 1910 stage was the first time the Tour de France visited the Pyrenees. It was last used in 2021 on stage 18 where the riders went up and over the Tourmalet before finishing the stage on Luz Ardiden.
2023 will be a busy year for the Col du Tourmalet with the Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes and Vuelta a Espana all climbing this famous mountain. I am hoping to watch at least one of the races on the slopes this year.
Col du Tourmalet from Luz Saint Sauveur
Length: 19km / 11.8mi
Average gradient: 7.4%
Start point: 711m / 2,333ft
Elevation at top: 2,115m / 6,940ft
Category: Hors Category (HC)
Nearest town: Luz Saint Sauveur
Facilities at top: Cafe, toilets, shop
When to ride: May to October
Road condition: Good
Nearest climb: Luz Ardiden
Number of approaches: 2
Through road at top: Yes
Closest bike hire: Luz Saint Sauveur
Col du Tourmalet from Saint Marie de Campan
Length: 17km / 10.6mi
Average gradient: 7.4%
Start point: 851m / 2,792ft
Elevation at top: 2,115m / 6,940ft
Category: Hors Category (HC)
Nearest town: Bagneres de Bigorre
Facilities at top: Cafe, toilets, shop
When to ride: May to October
Road condition: Good
Nearest climb: Col d’Aspin
Number of approaches: 2
Through road at top: Yes
Closest bike hire: Bagneres de Bigorre
A Tour de France Road cycling icon
Col du Tourmalet is an iconic road cycling climb of the French Pyrenees that is used regularly by the Tour de France race and has seen many epic battles play out on its two approaches over the years. Cycling the Tourmalet and taking your photo at the top with the famous statue of Le Géant will definitely be a highlight of a visit to the Pyrenees.
2023 will be another busy year for the famous col with a stage of the Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, and Vuelta a Espana all using its famous roads.
Where to stay to cycle Col du Tourmalet
I recommend staying in Luz Saint Sauveur, Argeles Gazost, Lourdes or Bagneres de Bigorre if you are planning to cycle the Col du Tourmalet. These are larger towns with all the facilities you need for a great cycling holiday. You could also consider some of the smaller villages located in the valleys for some self-contained options and great cycling lodges. You can view our Lourdes region guide for lots of information.
If you are not familiar with the Pyrenees, our comprehensive guide will help you plan everything you need for your cycling holiday. The guide includes information such as:
- a map of the Pyrenees with climbs and towns marked
- where to base yourself depending on which mountains you would like to ride
- cycling hotels and lodges
- bike hire outlets
- getting to and from the Pyrenees
- non-cycling attractions and activities in the region
Our cycling route is a loop that can be started in any of the major towns along the way including Argeles Gazost, Lourdes, and Bagneres de Bigorre. The loop can be ridden in any direction depending on which side of the Col du Tourmalet you plan to ride and there is plenty of time to warm the legs up before you hit the base of the climb. The route could also be ridden as an out and back from either side.
The Western approach – gentle warm-up
Starting From Argeles Gazost you ride across the valley floor which is a great warm-up for what is ahead. After passing through the village of Pierrefitte Nestalas you turn right and head into the Gorge du Luz and spend the next 12 km (7.5 mi) winding your way up to the base of the climb at Luz Saint-Saveur. You can have a quick break here if you need to before starting the 18.9 km (11.8 mi) to the top. I often stop here to top up the water bottles and use the toilets before heading up the climb.
The climb proper
As you leave the village of Luz Saint-Saveur you will start to see the kilometre marker signs indicating the distance to the summit. You are now on the Col du Tourmalet. Some people like these signs, while others loathe them as they tell you not only the distance remaining to the top but also the average gradient for the next kilometre. The average gradient hovers around the 8% mark for the majority of the climb but you do get little respites here and there. At the village of Bareges, you will also have an opportunity to top up water bottles and replenish food.
The summit push
Something you will begin to realize as you climb in the Pyrenees is that often the final sections of the climb are the steepest. This is very true for the Tourmalet as the last kilometre averages just over 10%. With nearly 18 km/11 mi of climbing in the legs, you definitely feel it. That final hairpin bend is the steepest but so close to the summit you just need to keep pushing. Once at the top and having taken the obligatory photos you can either descend the way you climbed or complete the loop through Bagneres de Bigorre. Either way will see lots of downhill and smiles all around.
Voie Laurent Fignon
The voie Laurent Fignon is a bike-only path that runs for 4km and is an alternative to the main road for a section of the climb. The path starts 2km after you pass through the village of Bareges and will join you back onto the main road 4km from the summit. The path is part of the original road to the top and as such the surface will not be in as good condition as the main road. It is recommended that you climb up this route and descend on the main road.
Eastern approach
Much like the climb from the west, the approach from the East includes a gentle warm-up. Your legs will appreciate the relatively flatter kilometres which come with this as you make your way through Bagnerre de Bigorre to the official start of the climb at Saint Marie de Campan. From here it is all up and we would recommend you make sure you have enough food and water to get you to the top. It may only be 17 km/10 mi to the summit but as you will find out there is a reason the Tourmalet is a giant of the Pyrenees! There is water and a toilet at Saint Marie de Campan and I always make sure the bottles are topped up.
The real climbing begins
The first few km/mi from Saint Marie de Campan are relatively gentle with gradients between 3% and 5%. As you work your way out of the village there are smallholdings on either side of the road which brings with them a sense of calm. After these initial kilometres though, the gradients begin to get more severe and from here on in it is unrelenting. You will pass through a wooded section on the road which will bring respite from the heat of the sun on a hot summer’s day. As you pass by a roadside stream some more cool air will perhaps have you tempted to stop and dip your feet in the water.
Steep the whole way up
As you pass a car park you will reach a switchback where the road bends around on itself to the right. From here there are long sections of double-digit gradients. Unlike the approach from the east, there are fewer bends in the road which can sometimes make the climbing feel a little bit harder. Again, try and pace yourself as whilst you will be halfway up the climb, the gradient from here rarely drops below 9%. Avalanche tunnels on the approach to La Mongie signal the steepest straight sections of the road. With the heat of the sun, the tunnels provide you with some welcome shade.
The final push from La Mongie
The ski resort of La Mongie will provide you with another landmark on the climb to aim for. If you need more food or water there are places here to replenish your supplies. Unfortunately, there is no easing up in the gradient as you hit the ski town and the somewhat retro skyscrapers don’t really provide you with a pretty distraction! Out of the resort itself, the grand mountain vistas take over. The road climbs up and winds its way underneath the chairlifts overhead. You may wish they were running as an easier way to get to the summit! With a steep hairpin pinch of 15% in the final kilometre, you are just a few hundred meters from the top. A further turn to the left as you pass a car park and there it is! Take in the sense of achievement and make sure to grab that photo of yourself at the summit.
Which side of Col du Tourmalet is easiest?
Having climbed both sides in the space of a week early in the 2023 season I would say that the western approach from Luz Saint Sauveur is the easier of the two sides. That does not make it easy though, it is just easier than the eastern approach.
On the western side, the gradient gets steeper straight away and there are places where it flattens out nicely to give the legs a bit of a chance to recover. On the eastern side, the first 4 km are relatively flat and once the gradient increases it stays high for most of the way to the top. The only saving grace is that the gradient is quite constant so you can settle into a nice rhythm.
Descent
Regardless of which approach to the summit you have taken, the descent from the Tourmalet is magic. Whilst quite steep, the road is generally in great condition with the Tour de France regularly passing through. Be mindful of cows, sheep, and donkeys on the way down and enjoy that hit of speed – you have certainly earned it!
The summit of the Col du Tourmalet is a buzz of people with cyclists, motorcyclists, and day-trippers taking in the views. There is a bar/cafe where you can stock up on food and use the toilets as well as marvel at the vintage bikes hanging on the wall. Across the road is a souvenir shop where you can purchase a range of Col du Tourmalet branded items including cycling jerseys.
Nearby climbs to Col du Tourmalet
If you would like to ride more than the Tourmalet in one day there are plenty of options for you to choose from. I have listed the closest climbs that could easily be added to our route. I have linked the climb name to the corresponding page on our site to provide you with specific information about each of the climbs.
Options on the western side
These climbs are located on the western side of the Tourmalet where the base of the climb is Luz Saint Sauveur.
Hautacam
Hautacam is located on the outskirts of Argeles Gazost and is another option to consider if you are after a bigger ride. It will add about 30km and 1,200m of climbing. This could be climbed before or after the Tourmalet depending on where you are staying and starting the ride.
Luz Ardiden
The base of Luz Ardiden is a short distance from the western approach of the Tourmalet in Luz Saint Sauveur. Including it on the ride will add around 30km in distance and 993m of elevation. This climb is challenging on its own and probably best tackled once you have Tourmalet out of the way so you can see how the legs are feeling.
Gavarnie
From the base of the Tourmalet, you can ride further up the valley to the town of Gavarnie which also gives you the options of the Cirque de Troumouse (turn off at Gedre) and the Col de Tentes climbs. This will add from between 40km and 90km in distance and 720m and 2,500m in elevation depending on the route you select. The order in which you do these is up to you, there is no reason to complete any particular climb first over the others.
Cauterets Valley
There are two climbs accessible from the village of Cauterets. These are the Cambasque and Pont d’Espagne and you can choose to take on just one or both of them. The ride to Cauterets itself is just under 10km in length and is a good option in itself if the legs are not quite up to riding up more mountains. The turn-off to Cauterets is located about 12km from the base of the Tourmalet. Depending on what you choose to do you could add anywhere from 20 km to 45 km in distance and 410m to 1,400m in elevation gain. You could add these on either before or after climbing Col du Tourmalet depending on your preference.
Options on the eastern side
The climbs listed below are located on the eastern side of Col du Tourmalet where the base of the climb is at the village of Saint Marie de Campan
Horquette d’Ancizan
The climb to Horquette d’Ancizan starts 7km along the climb to Col d’Aspin where you turn right onto the D113. It will add 34km and 713m in elevation. From the top of Horquette d’Ancizan, you can descend to the other side and then tackle the Aspin from the other side. This loop will add 53 km of distance and 1,550m in elevation.
Col d’Aspin
The climb to Col d’Aspin starts at Saint Marie de Campan, the same base for the Col du Tourmalet. Riding to the top of the col and back will add 26 km of distance and 633m in elevation. It is an easier climb than the Col du Tourmalet and could be ridden before or after. It is also possible to combine this climb with that of the Horquette d’Ancizan for an even bigger ride.
Suggested routes
Below you will find some different route options for your consideration. These can be downloaded to a range of head units such as Garmin and Wahoo to assist with your navigation
100km Tourmalet loop
This loop can be started from a variety of locations and ridden in either direction. It is up to you.
Author
