Port de Confrides

Overview

Port de Confrides is a long, category 2 ascent that rewards patience over explosiveness. Over 16.6 km the road lifts you from a 320 m start to a 972 m summit, a net gain of 652 m. That works out to a modest average gradient of 3.94% — the kind of number that looks gentle on paper but adds up across sixteen-plus kilometres of steady effort. With a total ascent of 631 m logged along the way, expect a few small dips and false flats that break the climb into distinct sections rather than one relentless wall.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of Port de Confrides is the gap between its 3.94% average and its 9.69% maximum. A climb that averages under 4% but spikes near 10% is never uniform: the easy stretches are genuinely easy, and the hard ramps demand real attention. Because the net gain of 652 m slightly exceeds the total ascent figure of 631 m, the profile is broadly one-directional — you are almost always going up, with only minor respite. Treat the shallow kilometres as recovery and save something for the pitches that approach 9.69%, which is where the climb decides your pace. The 16.6 km length means rhythm matters more than raw power; small surges on the steep bits cost more than they gain over this distance.

Pacing Notes

At an average of 3.94%, Port de Confrides is a tempo climb rather than a threshold effort for most riders. Aim to hold a steady percentage of your FTP through the shallow sections and allow a controlled rise on the ramps toward 9.69%, but avoid burying yourself early — there are 16.6 km to manage and 652 m of vertical to absorb. If you are unsure what wattage to target across a climb this long, run the numbers through the FTP estimator first, then build your climbing pace around that figure. The goal is to arrive at the 972 m summit having spent evenly, not to win the lower slopes and fade on the harder pitches.

Gearing

For a 16.6 km climb topping out at 9.69%, gearing is about protecting your cadence on the steepest ramps while spinning efficiently across the long, shallow middle. A compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible default here. A 34×32 will handle the bulk of the climb comfortably and gives you a usable bailout for the near-10% sections. If you prefer to climb seated and keep the cadence high — or you are carrying fatigue into the summit — a 34×34 buys extra margin on those pitches without any real downside on a gradient that averages under 4%. Either setup lets you ride the numbers rather than fight them.

Summary

Port de Confrides is a long, evenly graded category 2 climb: forgiving on average, but with sharp enough ramps to keep you honest. Pace the shallow kilometres, respect the near-10% pitches, and choose gearing that keeps your cadence intact to the 972 m summit.

Length: 16.6 km
Average gradient: 3.94%
Max gradient: 9.69%
Start: 320 m
Summit: 972 m
Net gain: 652 m
Total ascent: 631 m
Category: 2