Pyrenees, France · from Saint-Lary-Soulan
Col de Portet
The Col de Portet climbs from Saint-Lary to a bare 2,215 m ridge above the Pla d'Adet, combining Pyrenean steepness with real altitude. Introduced to racing only recently, it instantly earned a reputation as the hardest summit finish in the range.
Summit elevation: 2215 m
Route overview
Col de Portet · from Saint-Lary-Soulan
Schematic road geometry from the routed track, with 18 detected hairpins marked (filled markers are tighter than 15 m radius). Use it to see the shape of the climb, not for navigation.
Measured road detail
Taken from the Col de Portet track used by the 3D flyover: from Saint-Lary-Soulan · 894 road points
- Measured length
- 17.7 km
- Measured ascent
- 1437 m
- Elevation range
- 789 → 2215 m
- Hairpins detected
- 18
- Tightest hairpin
- 6.8 m radius
- Surface
- paved
Tightest hairpins on Col de Portet
- 2.9 km · 925 mLeft · 8.5 m
- 5.2 km · 1164 mLeft · 6.8 m
- 10.5 km · 1599 mLeft · 9.1 m
- 11.4 km · 1684 mRight · 9 m
- 12.1 km · 1737 mLeft · 8.5 m
- 12.6 km · 1787 mRight · 8.3 m
Hairpins and elevations are derived from the routed track; road data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
How fast would you climb Col de Portet?
Enter your power and weight. A physics engine calculates your estimated time against the gradient profile.
Predict your
performance.
See how power and weight affect your time on a real climb.
*Demo simulation uses standard road bike physics (CdA 0.32, Crr 0.004).
Col de Portet and the Tour
The Tour first used the Col de Portet in 2018, when Nairo Quintana won the stage. The narrow upper road was surfaced specifically to bring the race here.
In 2021 Tadej Pogačar won atop the Portet in yellow, beating Vingegaard and Carapaz in a three-man finish — confirming the climb's status as a true GC battleground.
49:08 for the 16 km climb from Saint-Lary-Soulan on Stage 17 of the 2021 Tour de France.
Riding it yourself
When to go
The upper road is typically clear June to October. It is exposed from mid-height; wind and sun protection matter more here than on forested Pyrenean classics.
Base & logistics
Saint-Lary-Soulan is the base, with the first steep kilometres shared with the Pla d'Adet road before the Portet branch. Very limited traffic on the upper section. No water after the junction — fill up in town.
FAQ
How long is the Col de Portet climb?
From Saint-Lary-Soulan, the climb is about 16 km with roughly 1392 m of elevation gain at 8.7% average gradient (based on the simplified profile used by this simulator; published figures vary slightly by source).
How long does it take to cycle up Col de Portet?
It depends almost entirely on your power-to-weight ratio. Use the simulator on this page: enter your FTP and weight, and a physics model (air resistance, rolling resistance, gravity) estimates your time on the gradient profile.
Can I see Col de Portet in 3D before riding it?
Yes. The route overview on this page has a 3D flyover that follows the real road: 894 routed points covering from Saint-Lary-Soulan, with terrain, gradient and the road's own bends. It runs in the browser, no account needed.
How many hairpins does Col de Portet have?
18 hairpin bends are detected on the routed track, the tightest turning inside a 6.8 m radius. They are marked on the 2D sketch and ridden in order in the 3D flyover.
How accurate is the time simulation?
The simulator uses a simplified segment profile and standard road bike assumptions (CdA 0.32, Crr 0.004, 8 kg bike). It does not model wind, drafting, altitude, surface or pacing errors, so treat the result as a realistic estimate, not a guarantee.
How should I train for Col de Portet?
Sustained climbs reward steady threshold and sweet spot work plus a power-to-weight improvement over weeks, not days. TrainCraft builds structured cycling training plans and adapts them when you miss sessions, using fatigue science (CTL/ATL/TSB).
More famous climbs
Preparing for this climb?
A climb like this is won weeks in advance. TrainCraft builds a structured plan around your FTP and available hours, and adapts it when you miss a workout.
Start Training FreeThe profile is simplified into 6 segments for simulation; real gradients vary metre by metre. Stats shown are derived from this simulated profile and closely match commonly published figures. Time estimates assume standard road bike physics and no wind.
Training for a climb like this?
TrainCraft builds structured training plans and adapts them when life gets in the way — real fatigue science (CTL/ATL/TSB), visual workout builder, Strava & Garmin sync. Free to start.