This track was identified and mapped via high-resolution satellite imagery.
Col du Tourmalet
Col du Tourmalet (2,115 m) is one of the great Tour de France climbs. The classic side starts in Luz-Saint-Sauveur: 19.0 km at an average 7.4%, gaining 1,404 m. Also climbed from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan (17.2 km at 7.4%). Lapize statue and Goddet memorial at the top. First Tour appearance: 1910 (86 crossings, the most of any col). Octave Lapize led over in 1910 and called the organisers "assassins". In 1913 Eugène Christophe mended his broken fork at a forge below.
Trail Map
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Trail Profile
General Instructions
Season: Early June to early December. Carry a windproof layer for the descent, enough water and food for the climb, and check road status before you go. Descend with care: these are open roads shared with cars and motorbikes. Livestock roam the upper road; the summit café is a classic stop.
Weather check
Sampling Micro-Climate...
42.8723, -0.0043
Slide to preview conditions across the entire route • Point: 42.8723, -0.0043 @ 716m
Quick Stats
Highlights
- Ride the Luz-Saint-Sauveur side, the way the Tour climbs it
- Top out at 2,115 m
- Octave Lapize led over in 1910 and called the organisers "assassins". In 1913 Eugène Christophe mended his broken fork at a forge below
- Also climbed from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan (17.2 km at 7.4%). Lapize statue and Goddet memorial at the top
- Ride a climb from the 2025 and 2026 Tour de France
Field Radio Protocol
VHF-UHF Communication
Propagation Telemetry
Ridge Line
92%Gorge Floor
18%Sector Relay: Sector Alpha Relay• 12-18 KM Range
Regulatory Compliance
VHF/UHF frequencies are for monitoring and emergency coordination only. Transmitting on these bands may require an Amateur Radio License or regional government permits. Check local telecommunications laws before operation.
Technical Analysis
Total Ascent
+1393 m
Total Descent
-4 m
Ruggedness Index
Terrain Roughness Index
Vertical displacement per km. Typical range: 0 (Smooth) to 100+ (Extreme Mountain).
75.6
Tortuosity Index
Route Curviness Index
Ratio of actual path to straight line. Typical range: 1.0 (Direct) to 3.0+ (Switchbacks).
1.44
Gradient Distribution
Surface & Hydrology
Surface Spectrum Analysis
Includes only technical water fords where the vehicle actively enters a stream or riverbed. Permanent bridges are excluded from this count.
Difficulty Analysis
Difficulty is determined by a technical multi-vector analysis of elevation profile, surface quality, and topographic intensity.
Bounding Box (WGS84)
Point Spacing: 18.4 m • Engine: TrailX Precision GPX ANALYTICS v1.0.0
Reviews & Discussion0
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Plan this trip
Before you go: Col du Tourmalet
Best time to go
Jun–Sep
June to September is best for Alpine and Pyrenean routes; spring and autumn suit Provence, Occitania and the Loire, while Réunion is driest from May to November and prone to cyclones from January to March.
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