Col de Puez

Overview

The Col de Puez is a long, patient climb rather than a short, savage one. Over 32.4 km it carries you from a start elevation of 545 m up to a summit at 1925 m, delivering a net elevation gain of 1380 m and a total ascent of 1349 m once you account for the small dips along the way. The average gradient sits at 4.26%, which places it firmly in category 1 territory — not the brutal wall of an hors catégorie ascent, but a sustained effort that rewards endurance and discipline far more than raw punch.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number here is length, not steepness. A 4.26% average across 32.4 km means most of the climb ticks by at a rhythm you can settle into, but the road is not perfectly even. With a max gradient of 9.87%, there are pitches that bite well into single-digit-plus territory and force you out of your comfortable cadence. Because the average is comparatively gentle, those steeper ramps stand out sharply against the surrounding grade — expect the climb to breathe, easing back before stiffening again. The 31 m difference between the 1380 m net gain and the 1349 m total ascent tells you there are brief false flats or shallow descents woven into the middle, small recoveries you should use rather than waste.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, pacing is everything. The temptation is to attack the early slopes while your legs feel fresh, but 32.4 km punishes an over-eager start. Anchor your effort to your FTP and aim to hold a steady percentage of it for the duration, letting the steeper 9.87% ramps push you a little above threshold only briefly before you settle back down. If you are unsure of your current number, run the FTP estimator before you commit to a target so your pacing plan reflects your real fitness. The goal is to arrive at the 1925 m summit having spent your matches on the ramps, not on the flatter opening kilometres.

Gearing

Because the difficulty here comes from duration stacked with occasional steep pitches, gearing should protect your cadence over a long time on the bike. A compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is ideal. A 34×32 will handle most of the 4.26% average comfortably, but when the road tilts toward the 9.87% maximum late in a 32.4 km effort — with tired legs — a 34×34 gives you the extra bailout to keep spinning rather than grinding. If you have the range, favour the 34×34; the insurance is worth it on a climb this sustained.

Summary

The Col de Puez is a test of patience and pacing: long, steady, and just steep enough in places to hurt. Manage your effort, gear for the long haul, and let the 1380 m of climbing come to you.

Length: 32.4 km
Average gradient: 4.26%
Max gradient: 9.87%
Start: 545 m
Summit: 1925 m
Net gain: 1380 m
Total ascent: 1349 m
Category: 1