Col du Tourmalet
Trail Guide
hard

Col du Tourmalet

Hautes-Pyrénées
19 miles
5/5
19 mi
Distance
2-3 hours
Duration
point to-point
Route Type
5/5
Rating
Trail Overview
The most iconic climb in cycling. At 2,115 metres, the Col du Tourmalet has featured in the Tour de France more than any other pass, crowning legends since 1910. The western approach from Luz-Saint-Sauveur covers 19 km at 7.4%, with sections reaching 10-12% near the summit. The Geant du Tourmalet statue at the summit is a must-see for every cyclist.
Distance
19 miles
Difficulty
hard
Surface
Paved, well-maintained
Route Type
point to-point
Location
Luz-Saint-Sauveur to Col du Tourmalet, Hautes-Pyrénées, France
Neighborhood
Hautes-Pyrénées

Trail Tags

tour-de-franceclimbinglegendaryhigh-altitude
What to Expect on This Aspen Bike Trail

Highlight 1

Iconic Tour de France climb

Highlight 2

Geant du Tourmalet statue at summit

Highlight 3

2,115 m summit

Highlight 4

Western approach: 19 km at 7.4%

Highlight 5

Eastern approach: 17.2 km at 7.3%
Points of Interest Along the Way
Tour de France

Scenic views

High altitude

Switchbacks
Best Times to Ride

Early Morning (7–10 AM)

The best time to ride in Aspen. Trails are fresh, temperatures are cooler at altitude, and you'll beat the afternoon crowds on popular routes like Maroon Bells.

Late Morning (10 AM–Noon)

Great for longer rides when fully acclimatized. Aim to be off exposed ridgelines by early afternoon as afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer.

Avoid Afternoons in Summer

Aspen summers bring rapid afternoon thunderstorms, especially above treeline. Start early and plan to return before 2–3 PM. Always bring a rain layer.

Gear Up Before You Ride

Before hitting Col du Tourmalet, make sure you're fully prepared for high-altitude mountain biking. Check out our local Aspen bike shops for gear, mountain bike rentals, spare tubes, or a quick tune-up.

Aspen Cycling

Aspen's premier mountain bike shop, conveniently located near popular trailheads

Ute Mountaineer

Perfect for last-minute gear, trail maps, or a quick bike check before your ride

Safety Tips for Mountain Biking in Aspen, CO
  • •Wear a helmet: Always wear a properly fitted mountain bike helmet — Aspen trails are technical
  • •Acclimatize first: Aspen sits at 8,000 ft — give yourself 1-2 days to acclimatize before hard rides, especially if flying in
  • •Watch for thunderstorms: Afternoon summer storms build fast in the Rockies — start early and be off exposed terrain by 2 PM
  • •Bring water & snacks: High altitude increases dehydration. Bring more water than you think you need plus energy snacks
  • •Know wildlife etiquette: Aspen has bears, moose, and elk. Make noise on blind corners and know how to react to wildlife
Trail Location
Marker
Leaflet © OpenStreetMap

Luz-Saint-Sauveur to Col du Tourmalet, Hautes-Pyrénées, France

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Current Weather
59°F
Mainly Clear
8 mph
Wind
0 mm
Precipitation
Ride Conditions: Good

Decent riding conditions today.

Live data via Open-Meteo · Austin, TX

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