Between Massat and Sentenac-de-Sérou, Col de Péguère owes its notoriety to its final stretch, nicknamed the “Mur de Péguère” — one of the narrowest and most feared roads ever used by the Tour de France.
An uneven climb up to the Wall
From Massat, it’s 9.4 km for 747 m of elevation gain, averaging 7.9%. Past Col des Caougnous, the forest road narrows and ramps up beyond 18% all the way to the summit, at 1,375 m.
The 2012 Tour de France tack incident
During stage 14 of the 2012 Tour de France, unknown individuals deliberately scattered tacks on the road near the summit, causing dozens of punctures in the peloton, including three for yellow-jersey holder Cadel Evans, who was forced to wait for a wheel change and lost time as a result. Sandy Casar was the first over the summit that day. The episode remains one of the most talked-about in the race’s recent history.
When to go
May to October — the narrow, shaded road can stay slippery in places even outside winter freezes.
Good to know
Massat, a small village at the foot of the climb, is a quiet base for exploring a corner of the Ariège less crowded than the big neighbouring Pyrenean passes, with Foix less than 25 km away to extend the trip.
