Le Domestique’s Top Ten Cycling Cols — Part 1
Every cyclist should have a bucket list of climbs that they want to conquer in their riding career and while there are quite literally thousands to choose from, our Top Ten Cycling Cols article is there to help you begin your journey.
Of course every cyclist’s top ten cycling cols list is different, with some favouring the brutal, some favouring the scenic and others being all about the pro tour history. This list has been prepared based on our experience and that of a cross section of our customers, providing something for all, but if you disagree with any of our choices or have some alternatives of your own, please let us know by commenting on this article or through our Twitter and Facebook accounts!
10 — Mortirolo Pass — 12.4km — 10.5% — 1852m — Mazzo
Starting our Top Ten Cycling Cols list with a bang is the Mortirolo Pass. Located deep in the Italian Alps in the same valley that ultimately leads to the Stelvio Pass, the Mortirolo is perhaps one of the most feared climbs in all of cycling, with a reputation built on the experiences of many professionals, including Lance Armstrong’s famous declaration that the Mortirolo is the “hardest climb I have ever ridden”.
So why does such a fearsome climb make it into our Top Ten Cycling Cols list? In simple terms, it makes it because the feeling of arriving at the summit of this absolutely brutal ascent having tackled; multiple double digit hairpins, passed the famous Marco Pantani memorial and successfully drowned out that little nay saying voice in your head, is unimaginable. No other climb to our mind has the reputation of the Mortirolo, with even the most casual cyclist knowing of its difficulty. So if you are looking to impress their friends, or if you just want to bask in the glory of knowing you have successfully ascended the climb that has broken so many pros, the Morirolo is the perfect col.
How can I tackle the Mortirolo with Le Domestique Tours?
The Mortirolo is famous for the Mazzo ascent, however there are two other roads leading to the summit of this epic climb, all three of which can be tackled during our King of the Mountains Giro challenge, which pits riders against the biggest and best mountains of the Giro d’Italia over seven incredible stages. Full details of this tour can be found by clicking the link below:
9 — Col d’Aubisque — 16.6km — 7.2% — 1709m — Laruns
Deserving of a much more detailed breakdown than this article can afford, our partner post — Raid Pyrenean — the Col d’Aubisque has all the details of this incredible climb. The Col d’Aubisque’s inclusion in this list is a slightly dividing one, with many riders being robbed of the beauty of this incredible col owing to the regularly present low clouds and rain (the Aubisque is close enough to the Atlantic’s warm moist air that clear days are very much the exception). However those lucky enough to experience the Col d’Aubisque on a good weather day are promised an experience they will never forget.
Climbing out of Laruns, the route takes an unremarkable path through the lower wooded slopes, through the spooky spa town of Eaux Bonnes and on to the ski town of Gourette. With Gourette behind you, the Aubisque really comes into its own, with some of the most incredible views in all of the Pyrenees, making this easily one of our guest’s most enjoyable climbs, made even better by the incredibly friendly staff at the Hotel d’Aubisque restaurant and the stunning yellow, green and polka dot bicycle monuments that make for a perfect photo opportunity.
How can I climb the Col d’Aubsique with Le Domestique Tours?
The Col d’Aubisque anchors any trans-Pyrenees crossing, with both our Raid Pyrenean and Pyrenean Coast to Coast tours providing riders with the opportunity to tackle this incredible Col. Full details of these tours can be found by clicking on the links below:
8 — Col du Glandon/Croix de Fer — 24.1km/26.4km — 4.8%/4.9% — 1924m/2064m
Tour de France favourites which, owing to their location just outside Bourg d’Oisans and the inclusion of the Glandon in the Marmotte, are two of the most ridden climbs in France, the Glandon/Croix de Fer earn their eight spot in our list of the Top Ten Cycling Cols as a double entry as they share the vast bulk of their distance until riders are faced with a final decision just short of the respective Cols. Whichever choice riders make (the two Cols are so close that most choose to bag both), getting to the point of that decision is an incredible achievement, with riders having faced average gradients in the low teens, rhythm killing ramps and even a technical mid climb descent.
The reason for our inclusion of these climbs is however the incredible upper section of the climb which opens up after passing the dam at Lac du Grand Maison to provide incredible views across the mountain bowl, accompanied by a significant easing of gradient that allows riders to attack or enjoy the epic scenery. Choosing a picture to accompany this entry is one of the hardest choices we faced while drafting this article as it is so photogenic, however we hope the included picture helps to capture the essence of these incredible ascents.
How can I climb the Col du Glandon/Croix de Fer with Le Domestique Tours?
The Glandon and Croix de Fer feature in several of our tours, including the King of the Mountains TdF, Marmotte, Tour de France and Alps Cycling Tours. Full details of these tours can be found by clicking on the links below:
7 — Col de la Bonette (Cime de la Bonette) — 24km — 6.6% — 2802m
Billed as the highest paved road in Europe by the sign at the base of this amazing climb, this is actually not quite 100% accurate, with three passes (including the Stelvio and Iseran) being higher than the official Col de la Bonette (which hits 2715m). What makes the difference is the “Cime” road, which veers off from the Col, providing a punishing final kilometre of climbing that takes riders up to the dizzying altitude of 2802m (and to a claim of “The Highest Through Road in Europe”), via a gradient that varies between high single and low double digit figures.
This altitude stat, is one reason for the inclusion at number seven in our Top Ten Cycling Cols list, but ignoring the extremely stable gradient figures that allow for riders to build and hold an even tempo would be to do a large injustice to this brute. Our final thoughts however always linger on the Fort de Restfond emplacements built by the French military in the lead up to World War Two to protect France from a possible invasion. No matter how tough this climb feels, imagining how conditions must have been for those based here, never fails to put into focus just how lucky we are to be able to ride our bikes in these incredible places.
How can I climb the Col de la Bonette with Le Domestique Tours?
The Bonette features in both our King of the Mountains Giro and Raid Alps challenges. Full details of these tours can be found by clicking on the links below:
6 — Col du Tourmalet — 18.6km — 7.4% — 2115m
A climb that needs no introduction, having appeared in the Tour de France more times than any other climb, following its debut in 1910. The stories behind the Tourmalet’s introduction are the stuff of legend, but it is the combination of high altitude (at 2115m the Tourmalet isn’t the highest road in the Pyrenees though many assume it is), gradient, multiple Tour de France battles, Etape du Tour appearances and its position as the Queen of the Raid Pyrenean, that have cemented its reputation. On top of this, the Tourmalet holds a special place in the heart of Le Domestique Tours, as we have been there to witness every emotion under the sun as a huge number of riders conquer their demons on its tortuous 18.6km.
Its these memories that give the Tourmalet its much deserved place at number six in our Top Ten Cycling Cols list, with the Tourmalet being the oft cited “Alpe d’Huez of the Pyrenees”. If you haven’t already tackled this incredible Pyrenean giant, then we will leave the final words to Alphonse Steinès, a colleague of the Tour de France’s creator Henri Desgrange, who was tasked with the unfortunate job of performing an ill fated winter recce on the hitherto unrideable Tourmalet ahead of the 1910 Tour de France:
“Crossed Tourmalet stop. Very good road stop. Perfectly feasible.”
How can I climb the Col du Tourmalet with Le Domestique Tours?
The Col du Tourmalet features in a large number of our tours, with the Raid Pyrenean, King of the Mountains TdF and Pyrenean Coast to Coast being amongst the most popular. Full details of these tours can be found by clicking on the links below:
We hope you have enjoyed Part One of our Top Ten Cycling Cols post and will be publishing Part Two shortly. Hopefully you agree with our choices but if you don’t or have any favourites of your own, please let us know!
