- Ascent
- 638 hm
- Distance Ascent
- 8.3 km
- max. gradient
- 11.3 %
- ø gradient
- 7.7 %
The Col de Peyresourde from Armenteule is a category 1 climb of 8.3 km with 638 m of elevation gain at an average of 7.7 %, peaking at 11.3 %. The road climbs out of the Louron valley to 1,563 m and drops on the far side to Luchon. It is the shortest of the 14 Pyrenean climbs in our list, and on average as steep as the Col du Tourmalet.
The Col de Peyresourde is short but not harmless. From Armenteule in the Louron valley it is only 8.3 kilometres and 638 metres of climbing up to 1,563 metres. At 7.7 % on average it is as steep as the Col du Tourmalet. Among the 14 Pyrenean climbs in our list it is the shortest.
The Col de Peyresourde at a glance
The key figures from Armenteule: category 1, 8.3 km, 638 m of climbing, 7.7 % on average and 11.3 % at its steepest. The road climbs out of the Louron valley up to the pass at 1,563 m. On the far side it drops to Luchon. In our list the Peyresourde belongs to the Pyrenees region.
The climb from Armenteule
After a first kilometre at around 5 % things get serious quickly: kilometres two to four average a little over 8.5 %. That is the hardest continuous block of the climb. Then come two kilometres around 5 %, which feel almost like a break after the steep start. On such a short climb, though, there is not much time to recover.
Over the last two kilometres the gradient picks up again. Because the whole climb is only 8.3 kilometres long, there is no stretch where you can hide. The Peyresourde asks for intensity rather than endurance. That is exactly what sets it apart from the long HC passes of the region.
How it compares to our 100 climbs
On average gradient the Peyresourde is level among the 14 Pyrenean climbs with the Col du Tourmalet and the Port de Pailhères at 7.7 %, only the Plateau de Beille is steeper at 7.8 %. On length and elevation gain it sits almost at the very back: it is the shortest Pyrenean climb in the list. The Col d’Aspin has almost the same climbing at 649 m, but spreads it over 12.5 kilometres and is clearly flatter at 5.2 % on average. In the full list the Peyresourde belongs to the steeper third on average gradient.
Practical tips
Do not attack the steep block between kilometres two and four at full power, because the road picks up again at the end. The two kilometres around 5 % afterwards are the moment to calm your breathing. With a maximum of 11.3 % compact gearing is enough. At 1,563 m it is cooler at the top than in the valley, so a wind vest for the descent to Luchon belongs in the jersey pocket.
