Col de Tentes from Gavarnie Cycling Climb

France Col de Tentes from Gavarnie

Col de Tentes from Gavarnie Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

PDI

6.2 mi

DISTANCE

2,677 ft

GAINED

ELEVATION GAINED

8.2 %

AVG. GRADE

AVG. GRADIENT

FULL CLIMB STATS

INTRO

Col de Tentes from Gavarnie is the steep upper half of the road to the Spanish border: 10.0 km (6.2 mi) and 816 m (2,677 ft) of gain at an 8.2% average, from 1,389 m (4,558 ft) at the edge of Gavarnie village to 2,204 m (7,231 ft) at the end of the pavement. The first seven kilometers all fall between 7.5% and 9%, so this is a steady grind rather than a climb with a crux. The longer route from Luz-Saint-Sauveur, which adds the gentle Gorge de Luz approach, is on our Col de Tentes (Cirque de Gavarnie) page. The road leaves Gavarnie as the Route des Espécières, rising in switchbacks beside the Holle torrent and the Terrail waterfall, then crosses the combe of the Vallée des Espécières and the Plateau de Saint-André, where the pitch finally eases. At the top the D923 ends at the col, and the view takes in the Cirque de Gavarnie, its Grande Cascade and the high peaks of the Hautes-Pyrénées. Stage 6 of the 2026 Tour de France, from Pau, finished in Gavarnie (1,380 m / 4,528 ft) on 9 July, and the D923 above the village was closed to vehicles from the Espécières station for the race.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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Col de Tentes from Gavarnie climbs 816 m (2,677 ft) over 10.0 km (6.2 mi) for an 8.2% average, from 1,389 m (4,558 ft) to 2,204 m (7,231 ft), with virtually no relief. The grade is remarkably even: about 8.5-9% for most of the first 6 km (3.7 mi), then 7.5-8% through km 7-8 and 6.6-7% across the last 2 km (1.2 mi). The steepest 0.4 km (0.25 mi) averages 12.5%, the steepest 0.5 km (0.3 mi) 11.6%, and the steepest kilometer (0.6 mi) 9.9%. The steepest 2 km (1.2 mi) average 9.3%, the steepest 5 km (3.1 mi) 8.6% and the steepest 10 km (6.2 mi) 8.2%. The steepest 91 m (100 yd) reaches 16.8%. There is no flat to recover on, so settle into a rhythm in the first kilometer and hold it; the easier last 3 km (1.9 mi) are where you can look up at the views.

Roadway: Paved all the way to the col. The road leaves Gavarnie as the Route des Espécières and becomes the D923, a dead-end road that climbs past the Gavarnie-Gèdre ski station. Above the station the road is less well kept and narrower in places, with gravel patches reported, and it is not cleared of snow: it is closed from late November to late April depending on the weather, so check Inforoute 65 before an early- or late-season attempt. Past the col, the old track toward the Port de Boucharo is blocked by rocks and is best done on foot. Traffic: Light above the village. Cars climb to the col for the hiking trailheads, so expect the most traffic on summer mornings, and watch for cattle and sheep on the road. Parking: The lots at the entrance to Gavarnie village are covered on our Col de Tentes (Cirque de Gavarnie) page. For this upper-half ride, there is also a car park at the Espécières ski station about 6 km (3.7 mi) up the road, which suits a shorter ride to the col, and accessible parking at the col itself, just before the interpretive trail.

This is a high, exposed road with almost no shade, and riders report strong headwinds near the top. Carry two full bottles from Gavarnie and sun protection; there is no mobile phone coverage at the Col de Tentes, so tell someone your plan. With 8-9% for most of the first 7 km (4.3 mi) and no flat to rest on, a compact crankset with a 30-34 tooth cassette is the sensible choice. Temperatures drop quickly at 2,204 m (7,231 ft), so pack a windproof layer and arm warmers for the descent, and take the first kilometers of descent carefully, since riders report a bumpy surface there.

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.

The col has an easy short walk that most visitors miss: an interpretive trail follows the former access road toward the Port de Boucharo. It is about 800 m (0.5 mi) each way, roughly an hour round trip with stops, on a stable, very gentle path suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Three stations explain the glaciers, the cross-border relations between France and Spain, and the geology, each with a bench, and the views take in the Pic du Taillon and its glacier. Accessible toilets are in Gavarnie village, before the climb. The upper valley is worth a closer look on the way up. The road passes the Holle torrent and the Terrail waterfall, the Vallée des Espécières and the Plateau de Saint-André, and the Vallée d'Ossoue branches off at Gavarnie on the D128. The Cirque de Gavarnie, the village and the Brèche de Roland hike are covered on our Col de Tentes (Cirque de Gavarnie) page. Before you ride, check summit conditions with our Weather tool.