Modest on paper with its 4.2% average, Col de Portet-d’Aspet nonetheless carries one of cycling’s most sobering chapters, marked by a monument near its summit.
A gradual ascent with a sting in the tail
From Aspet, it’s 14.3 km for 594 m of elevation gain, averaging 4.2%. The road stays manageable for most of the route before hardening noticeably in the final kilometre, with sections close to 10% up to the pass at 1,069 m.
The Casartelli monument
On 18 July 1995, Italian rider Fabio Casartelli suffered a fatal crash on the descent of Col de Portet-d’Aspet during stage 15 of the Tour de France. A monument erected near the summit keeps his memory alive, a place of reflection for many passing cyclists.
A narrow road that demands caution
The col winds through dense forest, with a narrow road surface and occasional blind bends — a useful reminder that caution matters as much as performance here, uphill and down.
How to approach the ride
Good front and rear lights and well-maintained brakes matter more here than an extra-compact chainset: the forest road can stay shaded even at midday, and the descent deserves particular care.
Good to know
Col de Portet-d’Aspet pairs easily with the neighbouring Col de Menté for a demanding loop through the Comminges, two historic Tour de France climbs combined into a single ride.
