France La Planche des Belles Filles
La Planche des Belles Filles Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

11.7
PDI
3.7 mi
DISTANCE
1,633 ft
GAINED
8.4 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
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Page Contributor(s): Ard Oostra, Montreux, Switzerland.

INTRO

The hilltop finish here at the end of the penultimate stage of the 2020 Tour actually came in an individual time trial.  Riders were actually allowed to switch from their TT bikes to their road bikes for the 6 km climb.

That 20th Stage proved to be the most exciting of the 2020 Tour, when the second-place Tadej Pogačar took the yellow jersey from his fellow countryman Primož Roglič with a scorching fast time trial - the fastest of the day by nearly 90 seconds. 

This year it will be in Stage 7 of the 2022 Tour de France

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via our interactive Profile Tool.
Roadway:
The roadway is kept in excellent condition for the Tour de France. 

Traffic:
Usually light in the summers, the road provides gives access to a ski resort.

Parking:
Park in the nearby town of Plancher-les-Mines, or at the top of the hill's ski resort.
There's a restaurant at the top of the climb called Le resto de la Planche des Belles-Filles.

As usual in this region of France, there are great options to eat in the local town of Plancher-les-Mines:
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Far less known than the Alps or the Pyrenees, there is still world-class bike climbing in the French Vosges.  A favorite place to stay is La Bresse, which gives central access to all the climbs and hikes you could want to do, and cafes and fresh pastries on every corner. 

The region is also rich in history and culture with medieval villages, hilltop fortresses, and great local wine.

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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling La Planche des Belles Filles

Ride 5.9 kilometers gaining 496 meters at 8.4% average grade.

This bike climb has become fairly famous by virtue of its 6 appearances in the Tour de France between 2012 and 2022.  In 2020 and 2022 the route added an unpaved final kilometer past the ski station and this route is known as La Super Planche des Belles Filles. The climb is always a stage finish.  Chris Froome won the first stage featuring La Planche des Belles Filles in 2012 and Tadej Pogacar won the 2020 stage.

The climb begins a few kilometers north of Les Roches (2019 population 267).

A very pleasant and short ride from Le Roches to climb start.

Climb begins by riding east on D16E at the La Planche sign.

There are plenty signs of the TdF along the climb.

2 kilometers to the top.

The climb finishes at Planch des Belles Filles Ski Station which is located in the Vosges Mountains.

Finish.

Thank you Ard!!

TOUR DE FRANCE HISTORY

La Planche des Belles Filles is one of the newest significant and frequently appearing of climbs in the Tour de France.  It has been included in the Tour every two years on average since its first appearance in 2012 when Chris Froome was first to the top. Since then stage winners have been Vincenzo Nibali (ITA; 2014), Fabio Aru (ITA; 2017), Dylan Teuns (BEL; 2019) and Tadej Pogacar (SLO; 2020).  

Chris Froome edged Cadel Evans over the last 100 meters of the climb to win TdF 2012 Stage 7

Photo:  Cyclingweekly.com

Pogacar rode the race of a lifetime and took the yellow jersey the final day of racing 2020

Despite no hard feelings between Pogacar and his best friend in the peloton, Primož Roglič,  Primož is determined to not let his friend steal the yellow jersey from him again, training hard at the discipline to win the Time Trial in the Olympics last year. This year’s Tour is sure to be an exciting slugfest between the 2 most talented riders in the world.