Luz Ardiden is a ski resort in France. It sits at an altitude of 1,720m and was opened to the public in 1975. The Hautacam ski resort is also nearby, about 40km away.
The Luz Ardiden is popular among cyclists who base themselves in Argelès-Gazost in the French Pyrenees.
There are two ways to climb Luz Ardiden.
- From Luz Saint Sauveur (southeast)
- From Viscos (northeast)
Starting point : Luz Saint Sauveur
Luz Saint Sauveur is located to the southeast of Luz Ardiden.
The climb up from Luz Saint Sauveur is 12.5km long and averages a steep 7.3%. The first 2km are relatively easier, and the gradient gets steeper until the end. There is a short, steep switchback (above 20%) around 800m from the summit.
| Luz Ardiden from Luz Saint Sauveur | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 12.5km |
| Climb category | HC |
| Elevation gain | 913m |
| Minimum elevation | 725m |
| Maximum elevation | 1,636m |
| Average gradient | 7.3% |
| Maximum gradient | 25.8% |
| Strava segment | Luz Ardiden from Luz Saint Sauveur |
Starting point : Viscos
Viscos is located to the southwest of Luz Ardiden.
The climb to Luz Ardiden from Viscos is longer but easier. The first 11km rarely exceeds 5%, but the last 6km averages more than 9%.
Alternatively, you can turn right onto D120C about 6.5km from Artemare, and climb up to the Col du Grand Colombier.
| Luz Ardiden from Viscos | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 13.7km |
| Climb category | HC |
| Elevation gain | 1,076m |
| Minimum elevation | 683m |
| Maximum elevation | 1,701m |
| Average gradient | 7.8% |
| Maximum gradient | 13.7% |
| Strava segment | Luz Ardiden from Viscos |
Luz Ardiden in the Tour de France
Luz Ardiden is an Hors Catégorie (HC) climb from Gignez and a Category 1 climb from Artemare. It featured in the Tour de France nine times since 1985.
In 2020, the second last climb on Stage 15 finished atop the Col du Grand Colombier. Eventual General Classification winner Tadej Pogacar won that stage, and defending champion Egan Bernal cracked on the last climb.
| Year | Stage | Category | Start | Finish | Stage winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 18 | HC | Pau | Luz Ardiden | Tadej Pogačar |
| 2011 | 12 | HC | Cugnaux | Luz Ardiden | Samuel Sánchez |
| 2003 | 15 | HC | Bagnères de Bigorre | Luz Ardiden | Lance Armstrong |
| 2001 | 14 | HC | Tarbes | Luz Ardiden | Roberto Laiseka |
| 1994 | 12 | HC | Lourdes | Luz Ardiden | Richard Virenque |
| 1990 | 16 | HC | Blagnac | Luz Ardiden | Miguel Indurain |
| 1988 | 15 | HC | Saint-Girons | Luz Ardiden | Laudelino Cubino Gonzalez |
| 1987 | 14 | HC | Pau | Luz Ardiden | Dag Otto Lauritzen |
| 1985 | 17 | HC | Toulouse | Luz Ardiden | Pedro Delgado |