Col de la Pelletière cycling climb profile
The Col de la Pelletière is a category 3 climb in France that looks manageable on paper, but its length still makes pacing matter. At 9.7 km with an average gradient of 3.55%, this is not a climb defined by sustained steepness. It is a climb where speed can stay relatively high, which makes the effort easy to misjudge early.
The road rises from 397 m to 742 m, giving the climb a net elevation gain of 345 m. The listed total ascent is 333 m, so the practical takeaway is simple: this is a moderate, rolling-style ascent rather than a pure wall. The maximum gradient of 6.7% is firm enough to interrupt rhythm, but not steep enough to demand survival gearing for most trained riders.
How the gradient rides
The key number is the gap between the 3.55% average and the 6.7% maximum. That tells you the climb is likely built around long periods of tempo-grade climbing, with sharper ramps that briefly lift the load. Because the maximum pitch is still controlled, the main risk is not being forced into the red by the road. It is choosing to ride too hard because the climb never looks intimidating.
On a climb like this, momentum matters. The lower average gradient means drafting, cadence stability, and smooth power delivery can all have a bigger effect than they would on a much steeper climb. If riding in a group, it is worth staying sheltered and resisting the temptation to respond to every small acceleration. If riding solo, the fastest strategy is usually the least dramatic one: settle early, hold pressure, and let the climb come back to you.
Pacing and gearing notes
For pacing, anchor the effort below threshold at the start unless the climb is the decisive point of the ride or race. The 9.7 km length is enough that an aggressive opening can still cost you near the summit, especially if the 6.7% sections arrive when fatigue is already accumulating. Use /glossary/ftp as the reference point: this is the kind of climb where disciplined tempo can beat repeated surges.
Gearing should prioritize cadence rather than bailout capacity. The average gradient does not require ultra-low gearing, but the maximum gradient is enough that riders who push a large gear may find themselves grinding during the steeper moments. A sensible climbing setup lets you stay seated, keep pressure smooth, and avoid turning the short ramps into unnecessary anaerobic efforts.
Bottom line
The Col de la Pelletière is a controlled but meaningful ascent. Its category 3 rating fits the profile: long enough to shape a ride, moderate enough to reward patience, and steep enough in places to punish poor pacing. Treat it as a steady aerobic climb with a few firmer interruptions, not as a climb to attack from the first meter.