Climb library

Famous climbs of cycling

Detailed profiles of the climbs that define the sport — length, average gradient, elevation gain, race history, and pacing advice.

4220 climbs

HC🇫🇷Provence

Mont Ventoux

21.5 km
Length
7.5%
Avg grade
1610 m
Ascent

The Giant of Provence rises 1610 m from the vineyards of Bédoin to a moonscape summit, with a six-kilometre forest section that averages over 9 percent.

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HC🇫🇷Pyrenees

Col du Tourmalet

19 km
Length
7.4%
Avg grade
1395 m
Ascent

The most-climbed pass in Tour de France history - 19 km from Luz-Saint-Sauveur at a relentless 7.4 percent.

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HC🇫🇷French Alps

Alpe d'Huez

13.2 km
Length
8.1%
Avg grade
1071 m
Ascent

Twenty-one numbered hairpins climb out of the Romanche valley to a ski station that has hosted the Tour de France more often than any other summit finish.

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HC🇪🇸Asturias

Alto de l'Angliru

12.5 km
Length
9.8%
Avg grade
1333 m
Ascent

The Vuelta a España's monster climb in Asturias - 12.5 km at 9.8 percent with the Cueña les Cabres ramp at 23.5 percent.

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HC🇫🇷

Col d'Andrion

12.5 km
Length
9.3%
Avg grade
1698 m
Ascent

A 12.5 km Hors Catégorie climb averaging 9.29% with a savage 55.66% max gradient. Here's how the Col d'Andrion unfolds and how to pace it.

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HC🇮🇹Lombardy

Passo del Mortirolo

12.4 km
Length
10.5%
Avg grade
1182 m
Ascent

From Mazzo di Valtellina: 12.4 km at 10.5 percent average, with ramps of 18 percent. Lance Armstrong called it the hardest climb he had ever ridden.

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HC🇨🇭

Sasspass

7.1 km
Length
15.0%
Avg grade
1241 m
Ascent

A brutal 7.1 km HC climb in Switzerland averaging over 15%, gaining 1068 m net to a 1883 m summit.

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Cat 1🇨🇭

Brunnipass

49.8 km
Length
3.2%
Avg grade
4806 m
Ascent

Brunnipass is a 49.8 km Category 1 Swiss climb with 1,581 m of net gain but 4,806 m of total ascent — a rolling grind that punishes even-speed pacing.

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Cat 1🇺🇸Southwest

Mount Lemmon

40.2 km
Length
4.8%
Avg grade
1970 m
Ascent

Tucson's 40 km cycling icon - smooth tarmac from desert to pine forest, a winter training favourite for North American pros.

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Cat 1🇨🇭

Mittelplatten

36.4 km
Length
3.8%
Avg grade
3858 m
Ascent

Mittelplatten is a 36.4 km Category 1 Swiss climb with 1,398 m of net gain but 3,858 m of total ascent — an undulating grind where pacing discipline matters more than raw fitness.

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Cat 1🇨🇭

Col de Bretolet (VS)

23.7 km
Length
5.5%
Avg grade
1430 m
Ascent

A 23.7 km category-1 grind climbing 1307 m at 5.52% average, with a savage 26.8% ramp waiting to break your rhythm.

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Cat 1🇨🇭

Passo del Maloja/Aira da la Palza

17.1 km
Length
5.9%
Avg grade
999 m
Ascent

17.1 km at 5.94% averaging steady work, with a 15.1% sting and 1017 m of net gain topping out at 1820 m.

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Cat 1🇺🇸New England

Mount Washington Auto Road

12.2 km
Length
11.8%
Avg grade
1457 m
Ascent

12.2 km of private toll road at an average of 11.8 percent - the toughest paved hill climb race in the United States.

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Cat 1🇫🇷

Col de la Joux Verte

12 km
Length
7.1%
Avg grade
1470 m
Ascent

A 12 km Category 1 climb in France averaging 7.14% with a savage 20.79% maximum gradient. Here's how the col unfolds and how to pace it.

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Cat 1🇫🇷

col de la Croix de Boutières

10 km
Length
7.3%
Avg grade
1053 m
Ascent

A category 1 climb in France: 10 km at 7.29% average with a savage 18.75% max gradient and 1,053 m of total ascent. Here's how the road unfolds and how to pace it.

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Cat 1🇨🇭

Maisons Blanches pass

9.7 km
Length
8.4%
Avg grade
1225 m
Ascent

A 9.7 km Category 1 climb in Switzerland topping out at 2,155 m, with an 8.38% average that hides both undulation and a punishing 25% ramp.

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Cat 1🇫🇷

Col de la Croix de Chaubouret

7.6 km
Length
7.6%
Avg grade
787 m
Ascent

7.6 km at 7.64% average with a brutal 18.55% maximum — the Col de la Croix de Chaubouret is a Category 1 climb that demands honest pacing and a low gear range.

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Cat 2🇺🇸California

Old La Honda

5.5 km
Length
7.3%
Avg grade
398 m
Ascent

The benchmark climb of Silicon Valley road cycling - 5.5 km of redwood-shaded tarmac at a steady 7.3 percent.

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Cat 2🇬🇧Lake District

Hardknott Pass

2.4 km
Length
13.0%
Avg grade
323 m
Ascent

England's steepest road - 2.4 km from Eskdale at 13 percent average, with 30 percent ramps on the upper switchbacks.

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Cat 3🇫🇷

Col d'Entremont

6.7 km
Length
4.4%
Avg grade
525 m
Ascent

A 6.7 km Category 3 climb averaging 4.37% with a brutal 16.97% maximum gradient. Here's how the Col d'Entremont actually rides and how to pace it.

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