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 sketch
Col du Tourmalet · from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan
Schematic road geometry from OpenStreetMap routing; use it to see the shape of the climb, not for navigation.
How fast would you climb Col du Tourmalet?
Enter your power and weight. A physics engine calculates your estimated time against the gradient profile.
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*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.
Octave Lapize was the first rider over the summit in 1910, pushing his bike on the steepest ramps. The pass has decided countless Tours since; the summit statue of "Le Géant du Tourmalet" is awarded each year to the first rider over. In recent editions the fastest pros climb this side in around 48-50 minutes.
First rider over the Tourmalet in the Tour's first Pyrenean stage, before going on to win the 1910 Tour de France.
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.
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.