Short but vicious, Col de Val Louron-Azet is one of the most feared walls in the Pyrenees, a regular Tour de France feature between Saint-Lary-Soulan and the Peyragudes ski resort.
A short, demanding ascent
From Génos, it’s 7.5 km for 620 m of elevation gain, averaging 8.3%, with sections touching 13.6% in the first few kilometres. The summit sits at 1,580 m, above the Louron valley.
A Tour de France regular
The col has been climbed roughly ten times by the Tour de France, most recently across two consecutive editions, 2021 and 2022 — often the last obstacle before a finish higher up in the Pyrenees, notably at Peyragudes.
How to approach the ride
A compact chainset and a wide-range cassette are close to essential for getting through the opening kilometres above 10% without burning through lactate before the rest of the ride.
When to climb it
May to October: the road is generally rideable from spring onward, but it’s worth checking conditions early and late in the season on this mountain road.
Good to know
The col overlooks Lac de Génos-Loudenvielle and the spa town of Loudenvielle, a pleasant base for pairing the climb with a swim or a longer ride toward Peyragudes.
