Pyrenees, France · from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan
Col du Tourmalet
Tour de France 2026 · Stage 6 →The Tourmalet is the giant of the Pyrenees and the pass the Tour de France has crossed more than any other. From Sainte-Marie-de-Campan the climb gets progressively harder, with the steepest kilometres saved for the thin air near La Mongie and the summit.
Summit elevation: 2115 m
Route overview
Col du Tourmalet · from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan
Schematic road geometry from the routed track, with 4 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 du Tourmalet track used by the 3D flyover: from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan · 844 road points
- Measured length
- 16.81 km
- Measured ascent
- 1259 m
- Elevation range
- 861 → 2115 m
- Hairpins detected
- 4
- Tightest hairpin
- 12.2 m radius
- Surface
- paved
Tightest hairpins on Col du Tourmalet
- 9.2 km · 1423 mRight · 22.3 m
- 14.9 km · 1943 mRight · 15.8 m
- 16.4 km · 2079 mRight · 14.1 m
- 16.8 km · 2114 mLeft · 12.2 m
Landmarks along the way
- La Mongie
- Géant du Tourmalet
Hairpins and elevations are derived from the routed track; road data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
How fast would you climb Col du Tourmalet?
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 du Tourmalet and the Tour
The Tour de France first crossed the Tourmalet in 1910, on the legendary first high-mountain stage, and has returned more often than to any other pass — well over 80 crossings. Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, where this side starts, is where Eugène Christophe famously repaired his broken forks at the village forge in 1913 and was penalised for letting a boy work the bellows.
Tadej Pogačar set the fastest recorded Tour ascent from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan on stage 6 in 2026: 43:12 for the 17 km climb, more than two minutes faster than the 45:35 benchmark he and Jonas Vingegaard set in 2023. Octave Lapize was the first Tour rider over the summit in 1910.
Tadej Pogačar set a new Tourmalet ascent record of 43:12 from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, attacked with 43 km remaining, rode solo to Gavarnie-Gèdre and reclaimed yellow.
43:12 on the 17 km southern ascent during stage 6, beating the previous 45:35 Tour benchmark from 2023 by more than two minutes.
Riding it yourself
When to go
The road over the col is normally open from about June to October; the summit can see snow well into May. June and September offer the best combination of open roads, mild temperatures and light traffic — in July expect Tour crowds and painted tarmac.
Base & logistics
Bagnères-de-Bigorre and Sainte-Marie-de-Campan are the natural bases on this side; Luz-Saint-Sauveur serves the western approach. Water is available in La Mongie, about 4 km below the summit. Classic loop: descend to Luz-Saint-Sauveur and return over Hourquette d'Ancizan or Col d'Aspin.
FAQ
How long is the Col du Tourmalet climb?
From Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, the climb is about 17 km with roughly 1266 m of elevation gain at 7.5% 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 du Tourmalet?
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 du Tourmalet in 3D before riding it?
Yes. The route overview on this page has a 3D flyover that follows the real road: 844 routed points covering from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, with terrain, gradient and the road's own bends. It runs in the browser, no account needed.
How many hairpins does Col du Tourmalet have?
4 hairpin bends are detected on the routed track, the tightest turning inside a 12.2 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 du Tourmalet?
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 61 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.