Col de la Tourne

Overview

The Col de la Tourne is a category 2 climb that measures 13.1 km from base to summit. It starts at 484 m and tops out at 1156 m, giving a net elevation gain of 672 m over its full length. The total ascent recorded on the road is 658 m, a hint that the profile is not a single unbroken ramp but includes brief flatter or descending sections that shave a handful of metres off the raw climbing figure.

At 5.13% average gradient, the Tourne sits firmly in the sustained-tempo bracket: long enough to demand pacing discipline, yet not so relentlessly steep that it becomes a survival grind from the first pedal stroke. That average, however, hides a maximum gradient of 14.82% — nearly three times the mean — so there is real bite somewhere on this climb.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Read the numbers together and the shape becomes clear. Thirteen kilometres of climbing for 672 m of net gain confirms a mostly moderate, rolling ascent. But a 14.82% pitch against a 5.13% average tells you the difficulty is unevenly distributed: for the climb to average just over 5% while spiking near 15%, there must be gentler stretches — likely in the 3–4% range — that offset the steep ramps.

Expect the effort to arrive in waves rather than as one continuous wall. The gap between the 658 m of total ascent and the 672 m net figure suggests small respites where the road eases or briefly drops. Those are the moments to recover; the steep pinches climbing toward 14.82% are where the climb is won or lost.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this length, even pacing beats heroics. Aim to hold a steady percentage of your FTP — for most riders that means settling in around threshold on the moderate 5% sections and allowing your effort to rise on the steep ramps without redlining. If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan your ride.

Because the gradient is so variable, resist the urge to match the road metre for metre. Let power drift up over 14.82% pitches and back down on the flatter stretches, targeting a consistent average effort across the full 13.1 km rather than a constant speed.

Gearing

For a 13.1 km climb averaging 5.13% with pitches to 14.82%, gear for the steep bits, not the average. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 cassette gives most riders enough range to spin the moderate sections comfortably. If you weigh more, are carrying luggage, or simply want to protect your legs on the near-15% ramps, step up to a 34×34. The extra sprocket keeps your cadence civilised when the road bites hardest and turns the toughest pinches from a struggle into a manageable seated effort.

Summary

The Col de la Tourne is an honest, well-rounded category 2 test: long enough to reward pacing, varied enough to keep you honest, and steep enough in places to demand a wide cassette. Ride it evenly, gear for the 14.82% pinches, and the 672 m of climbing comes together as a satisfying day out.

Length: 13.1 km
Average gradient: 5.13%
Max gradient: 14.82%
Start: 484 m
Summit: 1156 m
Net gain: 672 m
Total ascent: 658 m
Category: 2