Provence, France · from Bédoin
Mont Ventoux
Mont Ventoux from Bédoin is the classic route up the Giant of Provence. After a deceptively gentle approach, the road rears up through the forest of Saint-Estève with relentless gradients around 9-10%, before emerging onto the exposed white limestone moonscape for the final kilometres past Chalet Reynard. Wind and heat are as much a factor as the gradient.
Summit elevation: 1909 m
Route overview
Mont Ventoux · from Bédoin
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 Mont Ventoux track used by the 3D flyover: from Bédoin · 1,061 road points
- Measured length
- 21.13 km
- Measured ascent
- 1594 m
- Elevation range
- 317 → 1909 m
- Hairpins detected
- 4
- Tightest hairpin
- 15.1 m radius
- Surface
- paved
Tightest hairpins on Mont Ventoux
- 10.2 km · 1005 mRight · 15.1 m
- 14.0 km · 1366 mLeft · 21 m
- 15.9 km · 1501 mLeft · 26.2 m
- 21.0 km · 1898 mRight · 15.7 m
Landmarks along the way
- Chalet Reynard
- Tom Simpson memorial
Hairpins and elevations are derived from the routed track; road data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
How fast would you climb Mont Ventoux?
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).
Mont Ventoux and the Tour
First introduced to the Tour de France in 1951, Mont Ventoux is the most fearsome peak in southern France. Its bare white limestone summit resembles a desert moonscape. The mountain gained tragic immortality in 1967 when British champion Tom Simpson collapsed near the summit observatory. In 2016, Chris Froome famously ran up the mountain on foot after a moto collision destroyed his frame near Chalet Reynard.
Tadej Pogačar set the outright all-time ascent record from Bédoin in June 2025: 54:51 for the 21.5 km climb (subsequently verified by Domestique cycling analytics), breaking Iban Mayo's 2004 Critérium du Dauphiné time trial benchmark of 55:51.
54:51 for the classic 21.5 km climb from Bédoin to the summit observatory, breaking Iban Mayo's 2004 Dauphiné ITT mark.
Riding it yourself
When to go
May through October. The forest section can be intensely hot in July, while the summit above Chalet Reynard is frequently buffeted by mistral winds exceeding 90 km/h.
Base & logistics
Bédoin is the classic cycling hub with abundant bike shops and cafés. Water and food are available at Chalet Reynard (km 15.5) before the final 6 km exposed moonscape.
FAQ
How long is the Mont Ventoux climb?
From Bédoin, the climb is about 20.8 km with roughly 1585 m of elevation gain at 7.6% 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 Mont Ventoux?
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 Mont Ventoux in 3D before riding it?
Yes. The route overview on this page has a 3D flyover that follows the real road: 1,061 routed points covering from Bédoin, with terrain, gradient and the road's own bends. It runs in the browser, no account needed.
How many hairpins does Mont Ventoux have?
4 hairpin bends are detected on the routed track, the tightest turning inside a 15.1 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 Mont Ventoux?
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 27 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.