International Mountain Day: Celebrating the legendary climbs at the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and Vuelta a Espana

Today, Wednesday 11th December, we celebrate International Mountain Day. For cycling fans, mountains are far more than stunning backdrops, they are where legends are born and the most thrilling chapters of the sport are written. From the brutal ascents of the Tour de France to the punishing gradients of the Vuelta a Espana, the world’s most iconic climbs have pushed riders to their limits, delivering unforgettable moments that define our sport.

Without these awe-inspiring landscapes, cycling’s most famous events (the grand tours) would lose much of their magic. On this special day, we take a closer look at some of the sport’s most legendary mountains, exploring what makes each climb so unique, and which riders have etched their name into each pass.

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Alpe d’Huez

Alpe d’Huez is perhaps the most famous climb in cycling. Located in the French Alps, this iconic ascent stretches for 13.8 kilometres at an average gradient of 8.1%. The climb is renowned for its 21 hairpin bends, with the sea of orange at Dutch corner one of the greatest sights in the Tour.

The mountain first appeared in the Tour de France in 1952 when Fausto Coppi took victory, becoming the first rider to win a summit finish at Alpe d’Huez, and since then, it has been the site of countless historic moments. Dutch riders dominated the mountain in the 1970s and 1980s, earning it the nickname "Dutch Mountain." Memorable victories include Marco Pantani’s record-breaking ascent in 1997 and Geraint Thomas’ triumph in 2018, which was not only the first British win on the mountain, but set the Welshman on his path to becoming Tour de France champion.

Geraint Thomas became the first British winner on Alpe d'Huez in 2018

Its electrifying atmosphere, with thousands of fans lining the narrow bends, makes Alpe d’Huez a stage unlike any other. It’s not just a climb; it’s a theatre of dreams and despair.

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Mont Ventoux

Mont Ventoux, often called the "Giant of Provence," is one of the most daunting climbs in professional cycling. Rising to an altitude of 1,909 metres, the climb is infamous for its exposed, rocky summit, which leaves riders battling fierce winds and extreme heat. The ascent varies depending on the approach, but the classic route from Bédoin is a gruelling 21.5 kilometres at an average gradient of 7.5%.

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Ventoux has been the setting for some of the Tour de France’s most dramatic moments. In 1967, it was tragically where Tom Simpson passed away due to exhaustion and dehydration. In 2013, Chris Froome delivered one of his most iconic performances, attacking near the summit to claim victory and move one step closer to winning his first yellow jersey.

Ventoux is definitely one of the most formidable climbs in cycling, and it will return for next year’s edition of the Tour de France.

Col du Tourmalet

The Col du Tourmalet is the most frequently used climb in the history of the Tour de France, making it synonymous with the race itself. Located in the Pyrenees, it reaches an altitude of 2,115 metres and stretches for 19 kilometres at an average gradient of 7.7%.

Jonas Vingegaard rode the Tourmalet at the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana in 2023

Its importance in cycling history cannot be overstated. First featured in the Tour in 1910, it was part of the first-ever high mountain stage, pushing riders beyond what many thought was humanly possible. Eugène Christophe famously carried his bike for miles after breaking his fork on the Tourmalet in 1913, showing just how far riders would push themselves even in the early days of the Tour.

Recent winners include Thibaut Pinot in 2019 in one of the best moments in recent history for French cycling fans, and Jonas Vingegaard in 2023 at the Vuelta a Espana, where he road away from all his rivals on a day where Remco Evenepoel crumbled. Its sheer difficulty, combined with its rich history, makes the Tourmalet a crown jewel of professional cycling, and one of the most important climbs in the sport.

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Stelvio Pass

The Stelvio Pass is one of the highest and most breathtaking climbs in professional cycling. Situated in the Italian Alps, the climb reaches an elevation of 2,758 metres, making it the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps. The classic ascent from Prato allo Stelvio is 24.3 kilometres long with an average gradient of 7.4%, featuring 48 hairpin bends.

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The Stelvio is most famously associated with the Giro d’Italia, where it has been the scene of some of the Italian grand tours greatest battles. In 2017, Tom Dumoulin memorably stopped to answer nature’s call on its slopes, a moment that could have cost him the Giro but ultimately didn’t. In 2020, Jai Hindley and Tao Geoghegan Hart engaged in an unforgettable duel on the Stelvio, as they fought for the pink jersey

The climb’s high altitude means riders must contend with thin air, freezing temperatures, and relentless gradients for nearly 25 brutal kilometres. For those of us who don’t have to ride up it, it’s simply one of the most stunning sights in sport.

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Alto de l'Angliru

The Alto de l'Angliru, located in the Asturias region of Spain, is one of the most fearsome climbs that often sees riders ascending into the clouds. Its gradients are legendary, with pitches exceeding 23% on its 12.5-kilometre ascent. The average gradient of 10.1% does nothing to prepare you for just how difficult this climb is, which has often been the decisive stage of the Vuelta a Espana.

The Angliru first appeared in the Vuelta in 1999, with José María Jiménez taking the inaugural win. Since then, it has become a battleground for the strongest climbers, including Chris Froome and Alberto Contador, and it was the Spaniard who secured victory in 2017. Most recently, Primoz Roglic added his name to the list of winners in 2023, in the famous race where he and Primoz Roglic abandoned Sepp Kuss.

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Known as one of the hardest climbs in the sport, the Angliru’s relentless gradients and unpredictable weather conditions make it a stage that strikes fear into even the toughest riders.

On International Mountain Day, it’s only fitting to celebrate the incredible climbs that have defined the history of cycling. From the switchbacks of Alpe d’Huez to the punishing gradients of the Angliru, these mountains are more than just roads, they are the places in which cycling separates the true greats, from the nearly men. So which climbs have we left off the list that are also legendary in the sport of cycling?