Road · France
Col du Perthus (Massif Central) from Thiézac
A mountainous 12 km road cycling route from Thiézac through Les Pialottes, Saint-Jacques-des-Blats and Couperie, with 515 m of climbing over the La Tour climb.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 12.2 km
- Elevation gain
- 515 m
- Riding time
- 52 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Best months
- Jul to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Thiézac
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 515 m
- 12 km
Route description
- Thiézac
- La Tour climb
- Les Pialottes
- Saint-Jacques-des-Blats
- Couperie
The ride starts in Thiézac at 793 m and gains 515 m over 12.2 km to reach the Col du Perthus at 1309 m. The climb begins at 0.8 km, covering 8.2 km with 384 m ascent at an average gradient of 4.7%, peaking at 10%. Another shorter climb starts at 10 km, rising 131 m over 2.2 km averaging 5.9% gradient. The route features 98% paved surface with a small 2% of gravel or unpaved, and 1% unmapped sections.
Half the climb is in the first half of the route with 64% of the total elevation gain, and the gradients include 4.6 km over 5%, 2.2 km over 8%, and just 0.1 km over 10%. The road types are split between 50% main roads and 46% minor roads, including 6.1 km on main roads without cycle lanes, with 7.1 km of road with posted speed limits 80 km/h or above. The longest named roads used are N 122 for 5.7 km and D 317 for 5.6 km.
Facilities are available near the start with a convenience store and bakery within about 70 m, a water tap and toilets within 85 m, a petrol station 175 m away, and another bakery around 6 km. The longest stretch with no café, shop or water is 6 km from km 6.2 to 12.2. There is a picnic site near the start and a viewpoint at the top around 80 m off route.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the La Tour climb (8.2 km at 4.7 %).
- Tops out at 1,309 m, 12.2 km in.
Highlights
- Climb average 4.7% over 8.2 km
- Col du Perthus summit at 1309 m
- Viewpoint pt de vue de la Jordanne at 12.2 km
- N 122 road for 5.7 km
Along the route
Places passed
On the road
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Tour climb | 0.8 km | 8.2 km · 384 m · 4.7 % · max 10 % | 8.2 km · 384 m · 4.7 % | 1180 m |
| Unnamed climb | 10 km | 2.2 km · 131 m · 5.9 % · max 8.3 % | — | 1309 m |
La Tour climb · full ascent, starts at 0.8 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Know before you go
- 6 km without café, shop or water from 6.2 km
- 6.1 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 7.1 km of roads with speeds 80 km/h or more
- 2% of route on gravel or unpaved surface
