Tour de France: The toughest climbs

The Tour de France is the biggest cycling race in the world, with some of the most epic climbs in the world. Let's take a look at the toughest ones, in random order.

Nicknamed 'the Giant of Provence', the Mont Ventoux has featured many times in the Tour de France, with the peloton usually starting the climb from Bédoin.

The Mont Ventoux is an epic climb with a tragic history, as it is where Tom Simpson died in 1967. The Brit collapsed due to a mix of amphetamines, alcohol, heat, and exhaustion.

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

Another classic in the Tour de France, the Col du Tourmalet deserves its place in this list.

This climb goes up to an altitude of 2,115 metres above sea level and has an average gradient of about 7.5%. Prepare to suffer on the Tourmalet, one of the highest paved mountain passes in the French Pyrenees.

Alpe d'Huez is one of the most epic climbs in Tour de France history, famous for its 21 hairpin bends and 8.1% average gradient.

One of the most epic names to ever climb Alpe d'Huez is Italian Marco Pantani, who set an astonishing record of 37 minutes and 35 seconds in the 1997 Tour de France.

Another classic Tour de France climb is the Col d'Izoard, located in south-eastern France.

The Col d'Izoard can be climbed from two sides, starting in Guillestre or Briançon, with the first option being the longer one.

Another big name in Tour de France history, the Col du Galibier is known as a fierce climb.

There is a monument to Henri Desgrange, the first organizer of the race, on the slopes of the Galibier, that has often featured as the highest point in the Tour de France. Every year, the first rider to cross the highest point in the Tour takes away the Souvenir Henri Desgrange, a cash money prize.

Up to the northeastern France, where La Planche des Belles Filles is a short, but hard climb.

It was where Tadej Pogacar completely turned the 2020 Tour de France around and snatched victory away from his compatriot Primoz Roglic. An epic moment.

Back to the Pyrenees now, to the Col d'Aubisque.

The Aubisque has featured many times in the Tour de France and is labelled 'hors catégorie'.

The Puy de Dôme is a legendary climb in central France, where some crucial moments took place in the past.

It is where, in 1964, Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor put up one of the fiercest battles in Tour de France history and where Eddy Merckx suffered a punch in the liver that cost him a sixth victory.

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

Located in the Savoie department, the Col de la Madeleine is a brutal but breathtakingly beautiful climb.

The climb can be tackled from two sides and is generally rated as a 'hors catégorie' ascent.

Next up is the Col du Télégraphe, which is 1,566 metres above sea level.

The Télégraphe is an access point to the Col du Galibier as you approach it from the north.

Another epic Tour de France climb, the Col de la Colombière is known as a technical climb.

The most difficult side to climb La Colombière is from Scionzier. Prepare for 16.3 kilometres of climbing with an average gradient of 6.8%.

The Col de Peyresourde has been part of the Tour de France countless times and can be called a classic of the race.

Like many other climbs in this list, the Peyresourde can be climbed from two sides, with the longest ascent (15.3 km) starting from Bagnères-de-Luchon.

Next up is the Col d'Aspin, located in the French Pyrenees.

The most difficult side to climb the Aspin starts in Arreau, with 12.0 km at 6.5% average.

The Col d'Iseran is located in the Graian Alps, and more specifically in the Savoie department.

The Iseran is the highest paved mountain pass in the Alps, reaching 2,770 metres above sea level.

The Col de la Croix de Fer is a stunning climb to 2,067 metres above sea level.

The Croix de Fer has featured in the Tour de France many times before, for the first time in 1947. It was Italian Fermo Camellini who triumphed that year.

Last but not least is the Col de Portet d'Aspet, a climb to be found in the French Pyrenees.

The Portet d'Aspet is less demanding than other climbs in this list, but will always be remembered for the death of Fabio Casartelli, who fell heavily on the descent in 1995 and suffered fatal injuries.

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!