Col de Portet

Start Town Altitude Elevation Gain Length Gradient Difficulty Rating
St-Lary-Soulan 2,215m 1,405m 17.8 km 7.9% 1,218 ****






Col de Portet Profile

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Climb Description

Col de Portet is one of the toughest climbs in the Pyrenees. It shares the first half of its slopes with the challenging Pla d'Adet, but where Pla d'Adet starts to ease off in terms of gradients, the road splits and the brave turn right towards the Col de Portet.

The Col de Portet made its Tour de France debut in 2018, during the shortest stage of the race (just 65km). It instantly became a hit, with Nairo Quintana winning on the day, and with the steep slopes and delightful hairpin bends proving very popular with fans. Col de Portet shares a mountain with Col du Tourmalet and, with time, it may even rival its famous sibling's title as the hardest and best climb in the Pyrenees.

The scenery is beautiful throughout the climb, particularly on the upper slopes when you get above the trees and are afforded wonderful views of the high mountains in all directions.

Col de Portet is open as far as the Pla d'Adet turn off throughout the year. The final 9km are usually open from June to October.


Col de Portet (Pyrenees)

The last 8km of the climb offer stunning views back down the valley





Roads & Traffic

Since it was used in the 2018 Tour de France the road has been fully paved. It is in very good condition throughout.

There is little traffic and cars are even banned from driving on the second half of the climb during most of the day.


Col de Portet Gradieng Sign

Kilometre markers tell you what is coming up next!





Alternative Routes

This is the only way to climb to Col de Portet (at least on a road bike!)




Nearby Climbs


Pla d'Adet

Col d'Azet

Route des Lacs

Col d'Aspin

Hourquette d'Ancizan

Col de Peyresourde

Col du Tourmalet

Piau Engaly






Cycling Holidays

Col de Portet is climbed on our Best Of The Pyrenees cycling holiday.

Check out the information below for details of this and some of the other tours that we run in high mountains.






Port de Pailheres Cycling
French FlagFrance

Guided Cycling Holiday
Length: 9 Days
Level: Difficulty Hard
Price: €1,980 EUR
*Bike Hire Included

French FlagFrance

Guided Cycling Holiday
Length: 8 Days
Level: Difficulty Challenging-Hard
Price: €1,630 EUR
*Bike Hire Included

Picos de Europa National Park
Spanish FlagSpain

Self-Guided Cycling Holiday
Length: 8 Days
Level: Difficulty Medium to Challenging
Price: from €1,490 EUR