Col Agnel

Overview

Col Agnel is a long, high climb: 21.6 km of road that averages 6.05% and tops out at 2744 m. It begins at 1440 m, so you are already in thin mountain air before you turn a single pedal in anger. The net elevation gain is 1304 m, but the total ascent is 1956 m — a gap of 652 m that tells you the road does not climb in a single clean line. There are dips, false flats, and recoveries folded into the profile, which changes how you should approach it. Rated category 1, it sits just below the hardest bracket, and the altitude alone earns much of that rating.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline average of 6.05% is honest but incomplete. Over 21.6 km, a 6.05% mean would produce roughly 1304 m of climbing — and that is exactly the net gain. Yet the road actually stacks up 1956 m of total ascent, meaning the extra 652 m comes from sections that pitch well above 6.05%, paid back by stretches that flatten or briefly descend. Expect the climb to alternate: harder ramps that bite, then softer passages where you can breathe and reset. The final approach to 2744 m is where the altitude tightens the screw, so even moderate gradients feel heavier than the number suggests.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold a steady, sustainable output through the early kilometres rather than chasing the steeper ramps. Because the profile includes recoveries, resist the urge to overpay on the pitches — bank the easy sections as genuine rest and let your power sag there instead of forcing tempo. Above 2000 m your available power drops even at the same perceived effort, so plan for the summit stretch to cost more than the numbers imply. If you are unsure of your threshold, run the numbers first with the FTP estimator and set a target you can defend for the full 21.6 km, not just the opening third.

Gearing

At 6.05% average over 21.6 km, with harder ramps mixed in and thin air at 2744 m, gearing generosity pays off. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 cassette gives most riders a workable spin on the sustained sections. If you are carrying fatigue, riding at a lower FTP, or simply want to protect your knees on the steeper pitches near the summit, step up to a 34×34 for extra margin. The goal is to keep cadence high enough that you are pedalling circles rather than grinding squares — at this altitude and length, a bail-out gear is insurance, not indulgence.

Summary

Col Agnel is a patient rider's climb: long, high, and rhythmic rather than relentlessly steep. Respect the altitude, use the recoveries, and gear low enough to keep spinning to the 2744 m summit.

Length: 21.6 km
Average gradient: 6.05%
Max gradient: n/a
Start: 1440 m
Summit: 2744 m
Net gain: 1304 m
Total ascent: 1956 m
Category: 1