Col d'Altin

Overview

Col d'Altin is a short, high-altitude climb that starts already up at 1106 m and tops out at 1332 m. Over its 6.6 km it averages just 3.42%, which places it firmly in category 4 — the gentlest of the classified brackets, well below the 1s, 2s, and 3s, and a long way from the hors catégorie giants. That modest average, paired with a net gain of only 226 m, makes this a climb you can ride at real speed rather than a grind you simply survive.

Do not let the number lull you completely, though. A maximum gradient of 8.38% means there is at least one ramp with genuine bite, and the gap between that peak and the 3.42% average tells you the climb is not evenly pitched.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline figures describe a climb of contrasts. With an average of 3.42% but a maximum of 8.38%, the road clearly alternates between shallow, almost-flat stretches and short kicks that more than double the average. The total ascent of 185 m sits below the net elevation gain of 226 m, which is a useful tell: the profile is not purely uphill. Somewhere along the 6.6 km the road gives back a little elevation before clawing it back, so you should expect at least one dip or false flat rather than a relentless upward drag. Read the climb as a series of easy pedalling zones punctuated by the odd sharp effort peaking near 8.38%.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this short and this shallow, pacing is about not overcooking the easy kilometres. Ride the 3.42% sections comfortably below your FTP and save your matches for the ramp that touches 8.38%, where a brief surge costs you almost nothing over 6.6 km. If you are unsure what your sustainable power actually is, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you go — knowing your threshold turns a guess into a plan. At altitude, starting from 1106 m and climbing to 1332 m, hold something in reserve; thinner air makes hard efforts feel harder than the raw gradient suggests.

Gearing

Most riders will be over-geared fears here rather than under-geared, given the 3.42% average. A standard compact with a 34×32 low is plenty for the shallow majority of the climb and will keep your cadence lively on the flatter sections. Keep a 34×34 in the plan if you want insurance for the 8.38% ramp or if you are riding tired legs late in a long day — it lets you spin the steep bite instead of muscling it. Either way, the emphasis is on maintaining rhythm, not on a bail-out granny gear.

Summary

Col d'Altin is a fast, friendly category 4 outing: short at 6.6 km, gentle at 3.42% on average, with a single 8.38% jab to keep you honest. Ride the flats loose, respect the one steep pitch, and enjoy the altitude.

Length: 6.6 km
Average gradient: 3.42%
Max gradient: 8.38%
Start: 1106 m
Summit: 1332 m
Net gain: 226 m
Total ascent: 185 m
Category: 4