Col de Tentes: Cycling Climb

The climb · France

About Col de Tentes

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Daniel Friebe’s Mountain High

Leaving Luz-Saint-Sauveur for the Col de Tentes gives this ascent a long valley approach before its harder upper section. The route follows the river towards Gèdre and Gavarnie, gaining height through gentler stretches and occasional changes of rhythm. Its 28.8 kilometres make more sense as a complete journey into the mountains than as a single steady climb. The lower road allows time to take in the valley’s shape before the upper slopes begin to dominate the view.

Above Gavarnie, the character changes. The final 10 kilometres are markedly steeper, climbing past the ski area and into open grazing country beneath the surrounding Pyrenean heights. The bends bring the road into view across the slope, making the remaining effort easier to judge. The catalogue finish is the Col de Tentes, high above the village, with the scenery growing broader as the climbing becomes more demanding. It is a rewarding ascent with its hardest work saved for the end.

01 / The ascent

Elevation profile

Start 690 m · Summit 2,205 m

Gradient by distance28.83 km / 2,243 m gain

0 km5.8 km11.5 km17.3 km23.1 km28.8 km

02 / The crux

Where it gets difficult

Choose a distance to find the steepest continuous section of the climb.

Steepest 500 m average

17.9%

Where to find it

24.50–25.00 km from start

Net height gained: 89 m
Section length: 500 m

The whole climb28.83 km

0 kmFinish

03 / The numbers

Climb statistics

Distance: 28.83 km
Elevation gain: 2,243 m
Average gradient: 5.3%
Climb category: HC
Start elevation: 690 m
Summit elevation: 2,205 m

Current weather

At the climb start

Loading weather…

Weather data: MET Norway

04 / Your effort

How long would it take?

Enter the power you could hold for the whole climb. We calculate a moving time from the elevation profile and the forces you ride against.

Sustained power

W/kg

Use your intended climbing effort, rather than FTP unless you can hold it for the predicted duration.

Rider weight (kg)

Bike + kit weight (kg)

Bike + kit includes clothing, bottles and luggage.

Advanced settings

Defaults represent a road-bike scenario. Adjust these settings to match your tyres, drivetrain and riding position.

Effective drag area (CdA) (m²)

Rolling resistance (Crr)

Drivetrain efficiency (%)

Modelled moving time

2 h 19 min

Power throughout: 225 W
Average speed: 12.4 km/h

Based on the 28.83 km elevation profile. Assumes steady power, with no stops, braking or drafting. Rounded to the nearest minute.

The science behind the calculation

For each part of the stored profile, we solve the steady-state cycling power equation for speed, then add distance ÷ speed across the climb. Gravity uses rider + equipment weight; available power is W/kg × rider weight. This uses the profile’s distance and elevation together, without mixing in another route’s metrics.

Power × efficiency = gravity + rolling resistance + air resistance + bearing losses

The resistance equations are adapted from Martin et al. (1998), Validation of a Mathematical Model for Road Cycling Power. Air density changes with profile altitude using NASA’s standard-atmosphere model. This calculator’s adaptation has not been independently validated.

It predicts travel at the power you enter, including on descents. It does not model acceleration, cornering, braking, traffic, wind, changing weather or fatigue. At altitude, choose power you can sustain there: thinner air reduces drag, but this model does not predict its effect on your ability to produce power. Profile quality and assumed equipment settings also affect the result.

05 / On the ground