Epic climbs and long trails
For riders who have climbed them, and walkers who plan to.
Terra Terra Collections Epic climbs and long trails
The mountain passes the Tour de France is remembered for, and the starts, stages and summits of the long trails: Alpe d'Huez, the Tourmalet, the Galibier, the Gavia, the Stelvio and Mont Ventoux; the southern end of the Appalachian Trail; a mountain village on the Camino; Glen Coe; and the peak above Sweden's Kungsleden. A good gift for someone who has done the ride or the walk.
12 stops · read them in order, or jump to the one you want
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Across these 12 places, the highest ground is at Passo di Gavia, reaching 3,522 m, and the lowest high point is Cabot Trail at 534 m. Alpe d'Huez has the most relief, 2,632 m from lowest to highest point, while Cabot Trail is the flattest at 534 m. The steepest ground, on average, is at Stelvio Pass, sloping at 27.1 degrees. Measured from real elevation data, most relief first.
| Place | Highest | Relief | Average slope | Cross-section |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpe d'Huez, France | 3,339 m | 2,632 m | 22.4° | |
| Stelvio Pass, Italy | 3,502 m | 2,056 m | 27.1° | |
| Passo di Gavia, Italy | 3,522 m | 1,942 m | 25.4° | |
| Col du Tourmalet, France | 2,840 m | 1,664 m | 25° | |
| Mont Ventoux, France | 1,899 m | 1,568 m | 18.7° | |
| Kebnekaise, Sweden | 2,050 m | 1,557 m | 16.8° | |
| Col du Galibier, France | 3,185 m | 1,544 m | 25° | |
| Mount Washington, New Hampshire | 1,911 m | 1,536 m | 21.2° | |
| Buachaille Etive Mòr, Scotland | 996 m | 831 m | 19.4° | |
| O Cebreiro, Spain | 1,406 m | 779 m | 17.3° | |
| Springer Mountain, Georgia | 1,151 m | 654 m | 16.9° | |
| Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia | 534 m | 534 m | 4.6° |
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Alpe d'Huez, France
The 21 hairpins of the most famous climb in the Tour de France.
Rises to 3,339 m with 2,632 m of relief; rugged ground.
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Col du Tourmalet, France
The Pyrenean pass the Tour has climbed more than any other.
Rises to 2,840 m with 1,664 m of relief; very steep ground.
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Col du Galibier, France
A 2,642 m pass in the French Alps, among the highest on the Tour.
Rises to 3,185 m with 1,544 m of relief; very steep ground.
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Passo di Gavia, Italy
A narrow, wild road over the Italian Alps to 2,621 m.
Rises to 3,522 m with 1,942 m of relief; very steep ground.
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Stelvio Pass, Italy
A road with 48 hairpin bends on one side, climbing to 2,757 m.
Rises to 3,502 m with 2,056 m of relief; very steep ground.
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Mont Ventoux, France
The Giant of Provence, a bald limestone peak famous from the Tour de France.
Rises to 1,899 m with 1,568 m of relief; rugged ground.
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Mount Washington, New Hampshire
Home of some of the worst weather in the world.
Rises to 1,911 m with 1,536 m of relief; rugged ground.
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Springer Mountain, Georgia
The southern end of the 3,500 km Appalachian Trail.
Rises to 1,151 m with 654 m of relief; rugged ground.
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O Cebreiro, Spain
A mountain village on the Camino de Santiago where pilgrims enter Galicia.
Rises to 1,406 m with 779 m of relief; rugged ground.
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Buachaille Etive Mòr, Scotland
The pyramid that guards the entrance to Glen Coe on the West Highland Way.
Rises to 996 m with 831 m of relief; rugged ground.
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Kebnekaise, Sweden
Sweden's highest mountain, on the long Kungsleden trail in Lapland.
Rises to 2,050 m with 1,557 m of relief; rugged ground.
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Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia
A highland loop road on Cape Breton Island.
Rises to 534 m with 534 m of relief; gently rolling ground.
