From Luz-Saint-Sauveur, at 2,333 ft (711 m), to the Col du Tourmalet at 6,939 ft (2,115 m), it’s 11.8 miles (19 km) at an average 7.4% and 4,606 ft (1,404 m) of climbing. Wikipedia and cols-cyclisme give exactly those figures, and CyclingCols gives 18.9 km with the same gain.
What the climb is like
It’s a long, steady climb: almost always between 6% and 8%, with no big walls. About halfway up you pass through Barèges (around 4,100 ft, or 1,250 m), and above the village the grade picks up a little, with stretches over 9%. The last kilometer is the steepest, near 10%. The maximum is between 10.2% (per kilometer) and 12% (on short pitches), depending on how each source measures it.
We don’t publish a segment-by-segment profile because the sources disagree on the split, beyond the fact that the hardest part is above Barèges.
Tour de France history
The Tourmalet entered the Tour in 1910, the year the race first went to the Pyrenees: Octave Lapize led over the top and went on to win that Tour. Through 2020 the Tour had crossed it 87 times, more than any other climb, and it has been rated hors catégorie since 1980. Federico Martín Bahamontes, Julio Jiménez, Lucien Van Impe and Jean Robic each led over it three times.
It has hosted stage finishes in 1974, 2010 (Andy Schleck, with Contador in yellow) and 2019 (Thibaut Pinot), and a Tour de France Femmes finish in 2023 (Demi Vollering). At the top there’s a memorial to Jacques Goddet and a statue of Lapize, “Le Géant.”
When to go, water and traffic
The pass closes in winter, generally from early December to early June. On some summer mornings the road is reserved for cyclists from 9 a.m. to noon. There’s a café-restaurant at the top in season, but no reliable free water: refill in Barèges. The road continues to La Mongie and Sainte-Marie-de-Campan. Nearby are Luz Ardiden, Hautacam and the Col d’Aspin.
What gearing to use
This is a climb for holding a rhythm: anyone in decent shape can get up it on a 34x28 or 34x30. At 3 W/kg (watts per kilo of body weight) and 159 lb (72 kg), you’ll ride about 6.8 mph (11 km/h) on 8%, and on a 34x30 you’ll pedal around 77 rpm. It’s more than an hour and a half for a recreational rider, so a bailout cog never hurts. Compare in the gear calculator.
Tips
- Pace yourself to Barèges: the hard part comes after.
- Bring warm clothes: at 6,939 ft (2,115 m) it can be cold even in July.
- If you can, catch one of the car-free mornings.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb the Tourmalet from Luz-Saint-Sauveur?
A 159 lb (72 kg) rider on a 21 lb (9.5 kg) bike takes about 1 h 37 min at 3 W/kg (216 W), 1 h 56 min at 2.5 W/kg and 1 h 15 min at 4 W/kg. Work out your own time with your weight and power in the calculator on this page.
Which side of the Tourmalet is harder?
The Luz-Saint-Sauveur side has more climbing: 4,606 ft (1,404 m) in 11.8 miles (19 km). The Sainte-Marie-de-Campan side has 4,160 ft (1,268 m) in 10.7 miles (17.2 km). Both average 7.4%.
When is the Col du Tourmalet open?
The pass closes in winter, generally from early December to early June.
How many times has the Tour de France crossed the Tourmalet?
87 times through 2020: it's the most-used climb in the Tour. The first was in 1910, with Octave Lapize.