Pyrenees · Hautes-Pyrénées

Where to stay to ride the Col du Tourmalet in the Pyrenees

The most-climbed pass in Tour de France history, two sides, and the Hautacam as a bonus. Here's where to base yourself to ride them back to back.

Photo Jeff Gaura / Unsplash

2,115 msummit altitude

2road ascents

17 to 19 kmdepending on the side

3hand-picked places to stay

By the BikeHotels team · Updated 31 October 2026

Our picks at a glance

Every hotel in this guide, grouped by area. Climbs and details are further down.

Hotel	Area	Best for cyclists
Hôtel Tourmalet3-star hotel	Luz-Saint-Sauveur	Ride straight out to the Tourmalet	Check availability
Lodge du HautacamB&B · 4 rooms9.6/10 Booking	Argelès-Gazost	On the road up the Hautacam	Check availability
Hôtel Alba4-star hotel · Pyrénées Bike Hôtel	Lourdes	300 m² cycling area, 9 bike garages	Check availability

More places to stay on the map ↓

The Tourmalet climbs

Both sides are evenly matched on average gradient, so pick the one closest to where you're staying. And if you've still got legs, the Hautacam is right next door.

The west side

Tourmalet from Luz

From Luz-Saint-Sauveur, via Barèges

Distance: 19 km
Elevation gain: 1,404 m
Avg. gradient: 7.4%
Max. gradient: 10.2%

The longer side. A steady, sustained gradient all the way to the summit at 2,115 m.

The east side

Tourmalet from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan

Via the La Mongie ski resort

Distance: 17.2 km
Elevation gain: 1,268 m
Avg. gradient: 7.4%
Max. gradient: 10%

Slightly shorter, same average gradient. You ride through La Mongie before the final hairpins.

The bonus

Hautacam

From Argelès-Gazost

Distance: 14.2 km
Elevation gain: 1,096 m
Avg. gradient: 7.7%
Max. gradient: 11.7%

Shorter but irregular, with steeper sections than the Tourmalet. Finishes at 1,520 m.

Data: climb profiles published by cols-cyclisme.com (Luz-Saint-Sauveur, Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, Hautacam).

Where to stay: the west side

Our selection focuses on Luz, Argelès and Lourdes, so you can ride both the Tourmalet and the Hautacam. To stay on the Campan or La Mongie side, use the map further down.

Luz-Saint-Sauveur

at the foot of the west side

3-star hotel

Hôtel Tourmalet

Luz-Saint-Sauveur

Ride straight out to the Tourmalet
Restaurant, fitness room
Parking, pets welcome

Check availability

Argelès-Gazost

at the foot of the Hautacam

B&B · 4 rooms

Lodge du Hautacam

Ayros-Arbouix

9.6/10 · 189 reviews on Booking.com

On the road up the Hautacam
Swimming pool, sauna, Nordic bath
Route advice

Check availability

Lourdes

the best-equipped base

4-star hotel · Pyrénées Bike Hôtel

Hôtel Alba

Lourdes

300 m² cycling area, 9 bike garages
Fully equipped workshop and bike fit (postural analysis)
Bike hire on site

Check availability

When to go

Summer and early autumn. Above 2,000 m the weather turns quickly: pack a windproof jacket for the descent, even in the middle of August.

⚠️ Pass closed in winter

The Tourmalet is usually closed from early December to early June (source: cols-cyclisme.com). Dates depend on snowfall, so check the pass is open before you book.

All places to stay around the Tourmalet

More choice, on both sides of the pass, with real-time availability.

Frequently asked questions

Which side of the Tourmalet is easiest?

Both sides have the same average gradient (about 7.4%). The east side, from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, is slightly shorter: 17.2 km versus 19 km from Luz-Saint-Sauveur.

When is the Col du Tourmalet open?

The pass closes in winter, usually from early December to early June. Dates vary with snow conditions, so check before you set off.

Where should I stay to ride the Tourmalet?

In Luz-Saint-Sauveur for the west side. Lourdes and Argelès-Gazost are good bases for combining the Tourmalet and the Hautacam.

How high is the Col du Tourmalet?

2,115 m, making it one of the highest road passes in the French Pyrenees.

More legendary climbs: Mont Ventoux · Alpe d'Huez.