Danielhughesuk_Col du Tourmalet (Sainte Marie de Campan) – Oxbow

Col du Tourmalet is the most featured climb in the Tour de France history. A giant and the most famous road/climb in the French Pyrenees.

If you didn’t know the first Tour de France was held in 1903 – with the aim of selling more newspapers… It was set up and sponsored by French sports paper L’Auto, which hoped a tough new endurance race around the country would capture the public’s attention and boost its declining sales figures. For 7 years le tour did not rise above 2000m and only in 2010 did it so, and the first time it did was on Col du Tourmalet. The pass is at 2,115m (6,913ft). Before the Tour de France came to the Tourmalet, it was just a simple pass through rock. The race made the mountain, and what it is today.

Interestingly the Tour de France rarely finishes at the summit, and to a degree is climbed more as a link road. Connecting Luiz-Saint-Sauveur with Saint-Marie-de-Campan or climbs such as Luz Ardiden, Hautacam to Col de Portet and Peyresoude. From Sainte-Marie de Campan you ride up the valley surrounded by lush greens and farming pastures. The landscape starts to change as you rise into the trees, past Cascade d’Arizes and a derelict bridge before going under some avalanche tunnels and seeing the ski resort ahead. It’s when you reach the ski resort that you start to feel the grandeur. The road rapidly rises away from the valley floor and the mountains towering above you. A couple of glorious hairpin bends and huge reveals take your breath away and this remains the same all the way to the summit where you’d see the statue le Géant du Tourmalet and epic views. Standing in the footsteps of cycling legends.

One of the most famous and dramatic mountains in Europe. One which must be done.

Stats: 1263m of ascent in 17km. Average gradient of 7.4%. Elevation: 2,115m (6,913ft)

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About the Photographer – Daniel Hughes

Epic Cols is a passion project for rider and photographer Daniel Hughes. Hughes is a Sony Photographic ambassador who works with some of the largest and most renowned outdoor brands in the world. His work can be seen in galleries, magazines, online publications and on his clients’ channels.