Pyrenees, France · from Bagnères-de-Luchon
Superbagnères
Superbagnères climbs from Luchon to the grand old ski hotel plateau in about 15 irregular kilometres of real climbing, easing and kicking repeatedly before a hard final quarter. The views across to the Aneto massif are among the best in the Pyrenees.
Summit elevation: 1804 m
Route overview
Superbagnères · from Bagnères-de-Luchon
Schematic road geometry from the routed track, with 10 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 Superbagnères track used by the 3D flyover: from Bagnères-de-Luchon · 947 road points
- Measured ascent
- 1174 m
- Elevation range
- 701 → 1873 m
- Hairpins detected
- 10
- Tightest hairpin
- 9.8 m radius
- Surface
- paved
Tightest hairpins on Superbagnères
- 9.3 km · 1168 mRight · 18.4 m
- 9.4 km · 1174 mLeft · 17.8 m
- 12.8 km · 1421 mRight · 9.8 m
- 14.7 km · 1589 mRight · 11.9 m
- 15.9 km · 1684 mRight · 17 m
- 16.1 km · 1695 mLeft · 11.6 m
Hairpins and elevations are derived from the routed track; road data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
How fast would you climb Superbagnères?
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).
Superbagnères and the Tour
Superbagnères hosted memorable Tour finishes in the 1980s — most famously Greg LeMond's 1986 stage win during his duel with Bernard Hinault — before disappearing from the route for nearly four decades.
The Tour returned to Superbagnères in 2025 with a summit finish, instantly restoring the climb to the modern Pyrenean canon alongside its neighbours Peyresourde and Port de Balès.
Won the 1986 stage at Superbagnères in 43:20 after breaking away on the final ramps.
Riding it yourself
When to go
Open May to October in most years. The lower half is forested and shaded; the final exposed kilometres above the treeline catch wind and afternoon storms.
Base & logistics
Bagnères-de-Luchon is the perfect base — Peyresourde, Port de Balès and the Hospice de France roads all start in town. Water at Vallon du Lys junction; nothing after. The road is a dead end, so it is blissfully quiet.
FAQ
How long is the Superbagnères climb?
From Bagnères-de-Luchon, the climb is about 15.1 km with roughly 1188 m of elevation gain at 7.9% 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 Superbagnères?
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 Superbagnères in 3D before riding it?
Yes. The route overview on this page has a 3D flyover that follows the real road: 947 routed points covering from Bagnères-de-Luchon, with terrain, gradient and the road's own bends. It runs in the browser, no account needed.
How many hairpins does Superbagnères have?
10 hairpin bends are detected on the routed track, the tightest turning inside a 9.8 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 Superbagnères?
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 24 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.