Pyrenees, France · from Les Cabannes
Plateau de Beille
Plateau de Beille climbs from Les Cabannes to a Nordic ski plateau with barely a metre of respite: the middle 10 km sit stubbornly between 8 and 9%. It is often called the Pyrenean answer to Alpe d'Huez, minus the hairpin theatre and plus a harder average.
Summit elevation: 1780 m
How fast would you climb Plateau de Beille?
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).
Plateau de Beille and the Tour
First used as a Tour summit finish in 1998, when Marco Pantani won on his way to the overall title. For years the pattern held remarkably well: win at Beille, win in Paris.
In 2024 Tadej Pogačar set a blistering record ascent in the mid-39-minute range on his way to the Tour title, one of the fastest climbing performances ever recorded in the Pyrenees.
Get a km-by-km pacing guideRiding it yourself
When to go
Open May to October; the plateau at 1,780 m can be windy and much cooler than the Ariège valley floor. The climb faces mostly north-west — pleasant in the morning, shaded in patches.
Base & logistics
Les Cabannes on the Ax-les-Thermes road is the start; Tarascon-sur-Ariège and Ax are the practical bases. There is no water after the village of Ussat side roads — carry two bottles. Combine with the nearby Port de Lers or Col d'Agnes for a full Ariège day.
FAQ
How long is the Plateau de Beille climb?
From Les Cabannes, the climb is about 16.1 km with roughly 1249 m of elevation gain at 7.8% 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 Plateau de Beille?
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 Plateau de Beille?
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 15 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.