Peyragudes, an altiport straddling the Hautes-Pyrénées and Haute-Garonne départements, owes its recent fame to the Tour de France: since 2017, its closing metres on the runway of this small mountain airfield have made it one of the most spectacular finishes on the Grande Boucle.
An airstrip for a finish line
From Loudenvielle, the road climbs 8 km for about 624 m of elevation gain, averaging 7.8% - a figure that hardens sharply in the final kilometre: the last 500 metres, on the altiport runway itself, reach gradients of up to 16%. Made famous by the filming of the James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies in 1997, this altiport became a Tour de France judge of form twenty years later, hosting stage finishes in 2017 (a win for Romain Bardet) and again in 2022, before staging an unprecedented mountain time trial in 2025.
Getting the ride right
The steady opening kilometres can tempt riders into a fast rhythm, but it’s essential to save something for the final explosion: the closing kilometre, on a wind-exposed runway, is far harder than the overall average suggests. A wide-range cassette is recommended to get over this final wall without having to put a foot down.
When to go
May to October, since the resort is primarily geared towards winter skiing. June and September are the most pleasant months, with the road clear of snow and traffic noticeably lighter than when the Tour de France comes through.
Good to know
Loudenvielle, on the shore of the Lac de Génos-Loudenvielle, offers a comfortable choice of accommodation and direct access to other major climbs of the Luchon area, notably the nearby Col de Peyresourde, for a longer stay in the Pyrenees.
