Col du Fourtou

Overview

The Col du Fourtou is a Category 2 climb in France, running 7.6 km from base to summit and gaining 639 metres of total ascent. Starting at 235 metres elevation, the road tops out at 642 metres. At 5.35% average gradient, the headline number looks manageable — but the 19.02% maximum gradient tells a very different story.

This is not a steady grind. It is a climb that rewards patient early pacing and punishes anyone who arrives at the sharp sections already deep in the red.

Gradient Profile

The 5.35% average is misleading in the way that all averages on irregular climbs are misleading. A near-20% maximum gradient coexisting with a sub-6% mean signals significant variation across the 7.6 km — extended sections of moderate road interspersed with at least one ramp severe enough to push the overall maximum to 19.02%.

Practically, this means:

• Lower slopes: Expect gradients closer to or below the average. Use these kilometres to settle into a controlled tempo, resisting the temptation to push hard on easier terrain.
• Mid-climb transitions: Watch for gradient shifts. On climbs with this kind of variance, the steepest sections often arrive without much warning, particularly if the road narrows or enters forested switchbacks.
• Maximum ramp: At 19.02%, the hardest pitch demands either a significant gear reduction or a short out-of-the-saddle effort. At that gradient, traction and cadence management become the priority. A sudden acceleration into it — especially late in the climb — risks blowing up well before the summit.

Pacing Strategy

With 639 metres of total ascent across 7.6 km, this is a substantial effort. Category 2 status reflects genuine difficulty, not just length.

Target a power output you can sustain across the full distance. If you are using FTP as your benchmark, an effort in the 85–95% range is appropriate for the flatter sections, with the understanding that the steep ramp may force a momentary spike above threshold. The goal is to limit that spike and recover from it quickly, not avoid it entirely — at 19.02%, the gradient largely dictates what happens to your power.

Key pacing notes:

• Do not use the early moderate gradients as a warmup excuse to push hard. Treat them as an opportunity to bank time at a sustainable pace.
• Shift early before the steep ramp. Waiting until cadence has already dropped to reach for a lower gear wastes energy and risks a loss of momentum.
• If you are unsure of your climbing capacity, use the FTP estimator before attempting this climb to set realistic power targets.

Gearing Notes

The 19.02% maximum gradient is the defining gear selection constraint. On a climb that averages 5.35%, many riders will carry a compact or mid-compact chainset expecting to spend most of the climb in a moderate gear — which is correct. But the near-20% section changes the calculation for the rear cassette.

A 32-tooth or larger cassette sprocket is strongly advisable. Riders on 28-tooth or smaller setups will find the steepest pitch very hard to spin smoothly, particularly with cumulative fatigue from the preceding kilometres. If your bike is set up for flatter or more consistent climbs, review your gearing before tackling the Fourtou's maximum ramp.

Summary

The Col du Fourtou is a deceivingly varied Category 2 climb. Its 5.35% average understates the challenge posed by a 19.02% maximum gradient across a 7.6 km route with 639 metres of ascent. Ride the moderate sections with discipline, gear down early for the steep ramp, and keep something in reserve for the final push to 642 metres.