Big time gaps, crazy fans and unzipped jerseys are sure to accompany all who attempt to tackle the following climbs. And any cyclist who reaches the summit first will go down in cycling lore as one of the greats.
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The Definitive Ranking of Epic Tour de France Climbs
Written by
Brian Kendall
Every year when the greatest cyclists in the world tackle the grueling 21-stage test that is the Tour de France, they can expect one thing before the route is even announced: Riders will have to tackle steep climbs in both the Pyrenees and the Alps. It's this double whammy of mountain ranges that makes the Tour de France cycling's greatest challenge—and it's also what separates the GC contenders from the rest of the field.
Big time gaps, crazy fans and unzipped jerseys are sure to accompany all who attempt to tackle the following climbs. And any cyclist who reaches the summit first will go down in cycling lore as one of the greats.
Big time gaps, crazy fans and unzipped jerseys are sure to accompany all who attempt to tackle the following climbs. And any cyclist who reaches the summit first will go down in cycling lore as one of the greats.
Alpe d'Huez
1 of 6
Distance: 13.2km
Average gradient: 8.1%
A Tour staple, all cyclists who ride into Paris have to reach the summit of this infamous climb first. Alpe d'Huez contains a grueling 21 switchbacks and tops out at 10,930 feet. The numerous switchbacks make this climb cycling's biggest arena and rowdiest atmosphere, with gobs of spectators—usually numbering in the hundreds of thousands—lining the streets to cheer on the competitors.
Average gradient: 8.1%
A Tour staple, all cyclists who ride into Paris have to reach the summit of this infamous climb first. Alpe d'Huez contains a grueling 21 switchbacks and tops out at 10,930 feet. The numerous switchbacks make this climb cycling's biggest arena and rowdiest atmosphere, with gobs of spectators—usually numbering in the hundreds of thousands—lining the streets to cheer on the competitors.
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Your Next RideMount Ventoux
1 of 6
Distance: 21.4 km
Average gradient: 7.6%
When cyclists break through the tree line at over a mile high, it spells nothing but misery to the climb's summit, as cyclists have to tackle not only the steep gradient but also extreme winds. Similar to Alpe d'Huez, this has become a favorite summit for stage finishes and the barren, moon-like landscape has become unmistakable to cycling fans.
Average gradient: 7.6%
When cyclists break through the tree line at over a mile high, it spells nothing but misery to the climb's summit, as cyclists have to tackle not only the steep gradient but also extreme winds. Similar to Alpe d'Huez, this has become a favorite summit for stage finishes and the barren, moon-like landscape has become unmistakable to cycling fans.
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Your Next RideCol du Tourmalet
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Distance: 17.1km
Average gradient: 7.3%
The Tour's most-used climb, the Col du Tourmalet contains the highest paved road in the Pyrenees and is a right of passage for any Tour de France rider. While the summit is rarely used for stage finishes, the 6,500-foot ascent is as brutal as any on the Tour. Perhaps the reason for the climb's frequency is due to its versatility; race organizers have used both the eastern and western sides of the mountain as ascents when deciding on a route.
Average gradient: 7.3%
The Tour's most-used climb, the Col du Tourmalet contains the highest paved road in the Pyrenees and is a right of passage for any Tour de France rider. While the summit is rarely used for stage finishes, the 6,500-foot ascent is as brutal as any on the Tour. Perhaps the reason for the climb's frequency is due to its versatility; race organizers have used both the eastern and western sides of the mountain as ascents when deciding on a route.
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Your Next RideCol du Galibier
1 of 6
Distance: 31.4km
Average gradient: 5.5%
While not the steepest of climbs, the Col du Galibier wears cyclists down by its sheer length. A seemingly never-ending climb with long, straight roads it's usually part of a mammoth stage that also includes the Col du Telegraphe (when coming from the north) or the Col du Lauteret (when coming from the south). The climb's summit is also 8,678 feet above sea level, making it the second highest point on the Tour, behind Alpe d'Huez.
Average gradient: 5.5%
While not the steepest of climbs, the Col du Galibier wears cyclists down by its sheer length. A seemingly never-ending climb with long, straight roads it's usually part of a mammoth stage that also includes the Col du Telegraphe (when coming from the north) or the Col du Lauteret (when coming from the south). The climb's summit is also 8,678 feet above sea level, making it the second highest point on the Tour, behind Alpe d'Huez.
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Your Next RideCol d'Aubisque
1 of 6
Distance: 16.6km
Average gradient: 7.2%
In 1910, eventual Tour winner Octave Lapize famously called the race organizers assassins as he walked his bike up much of this steep climb. And, in 1926 a dozen cyclists secretly crested the Col d'Aubisque by bus. These instances contain everything you need to know about this climb, which is the second-most traversed in Tour history.
Average gradient: 7.2%
In 1910, eventual Tour winner Octave Lapize famously called the race organizers assassins as he walked his bike up much of this steep climb. And, in 1926 a dozen cyclists secretly crested the Col d'Aubisque by bus. These instances contain everything you need to know about this climb, which is the second-most traversed in Tour history.