Col du Pic à Talon

Overview

The Col du Pic à Talon is a hors catégorie (HC) climb, the hardest classification a road ascent can carry. Over 21.8 km it lifts you from 416 m at the base to 1908 m at the summit, a net elevation gain of 1492 m. The average gradient reads 6.86%, but that figure hides a lot: total ascent comes to 1551 m, meaning there are false flats and dips that must be reclimbed along the way, and a single pitch spikes to a brutal 28.63%. This is a climb that demands respect from the first pedal stroke and rewards patience over ego.

How the Gradient Unfolds

At 6.86% for nearly 22 km, the Pic à Talon is relentless rather than explosive — for most of its length. The gap between the 1492 m net gain and the 1551 m of total ascent tells you the road isn't a clean, monotonic ramp: roughly 59 m of that ascent comes from re-climbing sections lost to brief descents or flatter respites. Those breaks are welcome, but they also mean the effort isn't evenly spread. The defining feature is the 28.63% max gradient. A wall that steep is more than four times the average, and it will force even strong riders out of the saddle or into a grind at walking pace. Expect the hardest ramps to sit where the road pinches, and treat every flatter stretch as a chance to recover before the next kick.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, pacing is everything. The smart approach is to ride the average — around 6.86% — as a sustainable tempo effort and refuse to chase the steep ramps. Anchor your effort to your FTP: aim to sit just below threshold on the steady sections so you have headroom for the 28.63% wall without blowing up. If you don't know your threshold number, run it through the FTP estimator before you commit to a pace. With 1492 m of climbing between you and the 1908 m summit, going out too hard in the first few kilometres is the classic mistake — the col simply doesn't give it back.

Gearing

Gear for the wall, not the average. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 low gear is the minimum most riders should consider here, and even that will feel tall when the road hits 28.63%. If your legs or your loaded bike are working against you, step down to 34×34 for extra range — the fresher your cadence stays across 21.8 km, the more you'll have left for the steepest pitches near the top. On a 1551 m total ascent, spinning a slightly easier gear almost always beats muscling a harder one.

Summary

The Col du Pic à Talon earns its HC rating: long, steady, and capped by one of the meanest ramps you'll meet at 28.63%. Ride within yourself, gear low, and let the 21.8 km come to you.

Length: 21.8 km
Average gradient: 6.86%
Max gradient: 28.63%
Start: 416 m
Summit: 1908 m
Net gain: 1492 m
Total ascent: 1551 m
Category: HC