Col du Tourmalet, Mountain pass in Hautes-Pyrénées, France.
The Col du Tourmalet is a mountain pass in the Hautes-Pyrénées that sits at 2,115 meters elevation and connects two valleys through a paved road. The pass can be approached from either side, with longer slopes from the west and shorter but steeper sections from the east, both routes marked by continuous hairpin turns.
The pass first appeared in the Tour de France in 1910 when it was still just a rough farm track. Since then it has been transformed into a major climbing stage and remains one of the race's most legendary destinations.
The name comes from the many tight turns of the road that define the climb, which locals still call 'Tournalet.' Today visitors encounter monuments to cycling history at the summit, marking how deeply this pass is woven into the sport's story.
Be prepared for changing weather, as the summit can be wrapped in clouds even when the valley below is sunny. The best time to visit is from May through October when the road is typically open and services are most readily available.
The road features markers throughout that show not just remaining kilometers to the summit but also the gradient of the next section ahead. These practical guides help cyclists understand what terrain lies before them on the climb.
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