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Ascent of Mont Ventoux

Ascent of Mont Ventoux

#21 on our Great Rides list

Mont Ventoux

The iconic, historic, world-famous, Tour de France featured ride that climbs miles and miles above the beautiful Provence region in France.

Location

Mazan, Provence, France

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Distance

52 miles / 85.2km

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Elevation Gain

6,504ft / 1,982m

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Best Time to Visit

Spring or Fall

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Surface

Paved Road

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Difficulty

Level 4

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Traffic

Level 1

Discover this ride on our Provence bike tour

Cycle through beautiful gorges, market towns, and one of the Tour's epic climbs

Learn more

Nicknamed “The Beast of Provence” and “The Giant of Provence” for good reason, this challenging climb takes you 1600 meters up at grueling gradients to the barren mountaintop.

As you approach the summit, you can envision the many times this road was lined with adoring fans cheering on the suffering Tour de France riders as they pedal up this painful mountain stage. The reward from the top is an incredible, 360-degree view of the Provence wine country where you can spot the road you will be riding for the rest of the day.

What you need to know

RIDE DETAILS
The average grade on the climb is 7.5% but there are sections of sustained gradients much higher…think, 14-15%. After the challenging climb, enjoy a nice mellow, flat, pedal through the vineyards and beautiful old French villages. This ride should absolutely be on any cycling fans list, conquering Ventoux will not only give you bragging rights but also a taste of cycling’s rich history in the area.

WEATHER
Like most mountains, even on a warm day it has the potential to be incredibly cold and windy once you reach the top. Keep this in mind when packing your gear. 

FUEL
Roughly halfway up the climb, you can resupply water, snacks, have a coffee, and use the restroom at Chalet Reynard. After conquering Mont Ventoux, there are many spots to refuel before the rest of your ride. Bedoin, at kilometer 53 has many restaurants and cafes.

While you’re in town

There is so much to do in this special region of France. Many amazing rides, famous wineries, open-air markets in Gordes and Menerbes, hiking in Gorges de La Nesque and so much more. Plan to spend several days here to experience it all.

You can ride up Ventoux on three different routes. This ride is the most popular but, stop by the Bedoin tourist office and get a ‘passport’ and collect your stamps after you conquer all three directions!

Ready for Mont Ventoux?

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Hotel Differences

Trek Travel offers three hotel levels to match your style. Luxury hotels provide elegant, thoughtful touches with exceptional hospitality. Explorer hotels blend modern amenities with local charm in unique settings. Comfort hotels are casual and conveniently located near Trek Travel activities.

Activity Levels

Learn about activity levels here

Level 1:

Road: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 25 mi (40 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Gravel: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 20 mi (35 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 1-3 hours of hiking. Up to 5 mi (8 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Level 2:

Road: 2-4 hours of riding. 20-35 mi (35-60 km). Up to 2,500 ft (750 m).

Gravel: 2-4 hours of riding. 15-30 mi (25-45 km). Up to 2,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 2-4 hours of hiking. 4-8 mi (6-12 km). Up to 1,500 ft (450 m).

Level 3:

Road: 3-5 hours of riding. 25-55 mi (40-85 km). Up to 4,500 ft (1,500 m).

Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 20-40 mi (35-60 km). Up to 3,000 ft (900 m).

Hiking: 3-5 hours of hiking. 6-10 mi (9-16 km). Up to 2,000 ft (600 m).

Level 4:

Road: 4+ hours of riding. 40-70 mi (60-110 km). Up to 8,000 ft (2,400 m).

Gravel: 4+ hours of riding. 30-50 mi (45-80 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

Hiking: 4+ hours of hiking. 7-15 mi (11-24 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

What are your trip styles?

Classic Bike:

Explore beautiful destinations with a curated blend of guided activities, local cuisine, handpicked accommodations, and itineraries to suit every traveler, from laid-back adventures to luxurious escapes.

Gravel:

Venture off the beaten path to unforgettable places, with fully-supported routes that combine gravel and paved roads in classic Trek Travel style.

Cross Country:

Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.

Pro Race:

See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.

Hiking & Walking:

Step into adventure with carefully designed routes, unparalleled hospitality, and deep-routed local connections.

Ride Camp:

Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.

Self-Guided:

Enjoy a bike tour on your schedule with just your chosen travel companions.

Single Occupancy

Sometimes it’s more convenient and comfortable to have your own room while on vacation. We understand and that’s why we offer a Single Occupancy option. The additional price guarantees a private room all to yourself

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