Col de Prat de Bouc

Overview

Col de Prat de Bouc is a Category 2 climb in France, running 7.8 km from a start elevation of 890 m to a summit at 1387 m. That gives a net elevation gain of 497 m, a mid-length climb that sits comfortably in the range where fitness and pacing decide the outcome more than raw power alone. At an average gradient of 6.35%, it is steady enough to settle into, but the average is not the whole story.

The total ascent is 658 m, which is 161 m more than the net gain. That gap tells you the climb is not a single clean drag to the top — it undulates, giving back elevation on descents or false flats that you then have to re-climb. Every metre you lose is a metre you pay for twice. Practically, this means the effort is choppier than the 6.35% headline suggests, and riders who pace off feel alone will surge and fade through the rollers.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 6.35% average hides both easier and much harder sections. With a maximum gradient of 16.1%, there is at least one ramp more than double the average, and the 161 m of extra ascent confirms the profile breaks up rather than climbing evenly.

• Flatter or recovery sections where the road eases and briefly descends
• Repeated short climbs stacked between those rollers, each demanding a fresh effort
• A steepest ramp touching 16.1% that will spike your power and force a gear change

Read the road ahead. The danger is treating recovery as rest and then getting caught out of gear when the gradient snaps back up.

Pacing Notes

On an undulating climb like this, even-effort beats even-speed. Chasing a constant speed forces you to overpower the steep pitches and coast the flatter parts, burning matches you need later. Instead, hold a steady effort anchored to your sustainable power output, letting your speed rise on the eases and drop on the ramps.

Because the profile gives back 161 m of elevation, resist surging over every roller — those spikes accumulate. If you do not know your numbers, run the FTP estimator first and set a target you can hold for the full 7.8 km, including the 16.1% pitch.

Gearing

The 16.1% maximum gradient sets your gearing requirement. Come with a compact or sub-compact chainset and a wide-range cassette — a 34×32 or 34×34 will let you keep the cadence up when the road pitches into the mid-teens instead of grinding to a crawl. On the steepest ramp, spinning a low gear preserves your legs for the rollers that follow. Check your chainset and cassette before the ride; discovering you are undergeared on a 16.1% wall is not a mistake you can fix on the climb.

Summary

• Length: 7.8 km
• Average gradient: 6.35%
• Maximum gradient: 16.1%
• Net elevation gain: 497 m
• Total ascent: 658 m
• Category: 2

Col de Prat de Bouc rewards disciplined, even-effort pacing and honest gearing. Respect the 161 m of hidden regain and the 16.1% ramp, and the 497 m net gain comes without blowing up.