Pyrenees, France · from Saint-Lary-Soulan
Pla d'Adet
Pla d'Adet front-loads its difficulty: the first 5 km out of Saint-Lary hover around 10%, hairpin after hairpin cut into the cliff, before the angle finally relents towards the ski village. Pacing the opening is everything.
Summit elevation: 1680 m
Route overview
Pla d'Adet · 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 Pla d'Adet track used by the 3D flyover: from Saint-Lary-Soulan · 478 road points
- Measured length
- 9.34 km
- Elevation range
- 574 → 1683 m
- Hairpins detected
- 18
- Tightest hairpin
- 5.6 m radius
- Surface
- paved
Tightest hairpins on Pla d'Adet
- 2.3 km · 717 mRight · 5.6 m
- 2.6 km · 744 mLeft · 8.1 m
- 2.8 km · 758 mRight · 9.1 m
- 3.7 km · 861 mRight · 6.8 m
- 3.9 km · 885 mRight · 8.2 m
- 7.2 km · 1368 mLeft · 7.8 m
Hairpins and elevations are derived from the routed track; road data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
How fast would you climb Pla d'Adet?
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).
Pla d'Adet and the Tour
A Tour summit finish since 1974, when Raymond Poulidor won the inaugural stage here at age 38. The climb anchored many classic Pyrenean stages of the 1970s-90s.
The 2024 Tour returned to Pla d'Adet, with Tadej Pogačar winning the stage in 27:50 for the 10.6 km ascent. Its steep first half consistently produces bigger time gaps than its modest length suggests.
27:50 for the 10.6 km climb from Saint-Lary-Soulan during Stage 14 of the 2024 Tour de France.
Riding it yourself
When to go
Rideable May to October. The lower cliff section is south-east facing and hot by mid-morning in summer — it is a climb best started early.
Base & logistics
Saint-Lary-Soulan at the base has full services and a cable car if the descent doesn't appeal. Combine with the Col de Portet (shared lower ramps) or the nearby Hourquette d'Ancizan-Aspin circuit.
FAQ
How long is the Pla d'Adet climb?
From Saint-Lary-Soulan, the climb is about 9.8 km with roughly 851 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 Pla d'Adet?
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 Pla d'Adet in 3D before riding it?
Yes. The route overview on this page has a 3D flyover that follows the real road: 478 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 Pla d'Adet have?
18 hairpin bends are detected on the routed track, the tightest turning inside a 5.6 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 Pla d'Adet?
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 18 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.