Mixed · France
Mont Ventoux from Bédoin
A mountainous 21 km road cycling route from Bédoin through Les Héritiers, Les Fatigons and Saint-Estève, with 1,580 m of climbing over Mont Ventoux. Most of it (10.7 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 16.2 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 21.2 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,580 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 31 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Apr to Oct
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Bédoin
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,580 m
- 21 km
Route description
- Bédoin
- Mont Ventoux
- Les Héritiers
- Les Fatigons
- Saint-Estève
The route starts in Bédoin at 308 m elevation and ascends continuously over 21 km to Mont Ventoux at 1888 m. It passes through Les Héritiers at 2.7 km, Les Fatigons at 4.6 km, and Saint-Estève at 5.5 km. The gradient averages 7.5% with sections up to 11.4% and a steepest 500 m at 22.3% near the start.
The surface is almost entirely paved with 99% tarmac and 1% gravel. Road types include 10.8 km on main roads without cycle lanes, 6 km with cycle lanes, 3.7 km of minor roads, and 0.5 km on quiet streets. The longest named road is D 974 covering 16.7 km. Around 16.4 km of the route has speed limits of 80 km/h or more.
Facilities near the start in Bédoin include a bakery, supermarket, bike shop, cafés, and restaurants. After 5.5 km there is drinking water available and toilets near the start and at 14.9 km. The longest stretch without café, shop or water is 9.4 km between 5.5 and 14.9 km. At the top are restaurants including the Restaurant Le Vendran just off route.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Mont Ventoux (20.9 km at 7.5 %).
- Tops out at 1,888 m, 21.1 km in.
Highlights
- Mont Ventoux summit at 1888 m
- Tête de la Grave peak at 1627 m
- Belvédère de Provence viewpoint near finish
- Passing through Saint-Estève at 5.5 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mont Ventoux | 0.2 km | 21 km · 1577 m · 7.5 % · max 11.4 % | 20.9 km · 1577 m · 7.5 % | 1888 m |
Mont Ventoux · full ascent, starts at 0.2 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 50% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 16.2 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 51% main road · 28% road with cycle lane · 17% minor road · 2% track · 2% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 10.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 16.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 5.9 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- D 974 (17 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 97% of the route is mapped as paved, 3% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 99% climbing · 0% descending · 0% flat
- Steep sections
- 17.6 km over 5% · 10.7 km over 8% · 2.8 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 22.3% at 0 km
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 25 cafés and restaurants, 1 shop, 4 water points, 5 public toilets and 5 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmLe moulin dans la boulangerie · bakery · 30 m off route
- 0 kmCarrefour Contact · supermarket · 150 m off route
- 0 kmBédoin Location · bike shop · 170 m off route
- 0.1 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 0.1 kmPharmacie Lelievre · pharmacy · 90 m off route
- 5.5 kmDrinking water · 70 m off route
- 14.9 kmChalet Reynard · restaurant · 40 m off route
- 14.9 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 16.4 kmFontaine de la Grave · spring · on the route
- 20.4 kmFontaine de Fonfiole · spring · 110 m off route
- 20.9 kmRestaurant Le Vendran · restaurant · on the route
Worth a stop
- 17.1 km — Tête de la Grave (peak, 1627 m)
- 20.8 km — Belvédère de Provence (viewpoint)
Stay after this ride
- Mont Serein · campsite · 1.2 km from the finish
- Chalet Ventoux Serein · hotel · 1.6 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Le moulin dans la boulangerie (30 m), Le Relais du Ventoux (10 m), Le Festival (100 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Restaurant Le Vendran (190 m)
Know before you go
- 9.4 km with no café, shop or water between 5.5 km and 14.9 km
- 10.8 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 16.4 km on roads with 80 km/h speed limits
- Steepest 500 m at 22.3% gradient at route start