From Saint-Lary to Col du Portet | Saint-Lary Tourisme

On the road of the Tour de France

You will find the Col du Portet located above the village Saint-Lary Soulan in the Hautes-Pyrénées. To get there, you will need to take the Pla d’Adet resort road from Vignec and turn right at the intersection towards Espiaube.

The village of Saint-Lary Soulan is located at an altitude of 830 meters while the Col du Portet culminates at 2,215m . This gives you an idea of the effort required to reach the highest pass in the French Pyrenees. The Tour de France regularly stops here because it is a mythical stage, a real challenge for both amateurs and pro cyclists.

Identity card

Starting altitude: 822 m
End altitude: 2,219 m
Cumulative positive elevation gain: 1,675 m
Distance:16 km
Average grade:8.7%
Level: difficult

The course
The profile
Good to know

The ascent starts at 810 m altitude at the exit of the village Saint-Lary Soulan in Vignec to finish at the top of the pass after the lace zone and the passage under a short tunnel at 2215 m altitude. That is to say, a longer, steeper and higher climb than the Alpe d’Huez climb!

You will climb this pass for 16 km at 8.7% average slope with passages that can reach 11%! “Le Portet is a giant, a Tourmalet bis,” enthused the director of the Tour in presenting the stage. A real challenge for any cyclist!

Get on a road bike for this climb on a challenging course with 1500 m of vertical drop. During the ascent, you will enjoy the view of the village of Saint-Lary.

Arrived at the top of the pass that ends in a dead end, you will be able to take time to breathe and admire the landscape, an exceptional panorama of the Pyrenees National Park.

Don’t forget to hydrate during this challenging climb for the body.