| Col de Pailhères | |
| Elevation M: | 2001 |
| Elevation Ref: | [1] |
| Traversed: | D25 |
| Map: | Pyrenees |
| Map Relief: | 1 |
| Label: | Col de Pailhères |
| Coords: | 42.7333°N 1.9925°W |
| Location: | Ariège, France |
| Range: | Pyrenees |
The Col de Pailhères (elevation 2001m (6,565feet)) is a mountain pass in the Ariège department of the French Pyrenees, located on the secondary road D25 between Mijanès (south-east) and Ax-les-Thermes (west).
Port de Pailhères (elevation 1963m (6,440feet)) is located nearby, 400 m southwest. It is the lowest point between the valleys but from there the road D25 to Mijanès direction runs via the Col de Pailhères.
Starting from Mijanes, the Col de Pailhères is 10.6km (06.6miles) long. Over this distance, the climb is 871m (2,858feet) (an average gradient of 8.2%) with a maximum gradient of 10.2%.[2]
Starting from Ax-les-Thermes, the Col de Pailhères is 18.6km (11.6miles) long. Over this distance, the climb is 1281m (4,203feet), (an average gradient of 6.9%) with a maximum gradient of 10.4% near the summit.[3]
The climb has been used in five stages of the Tour de France cycle race with its first appearance coming in 2003. In 2013, it was used on the eighth stage, when the riders also competed for the Souvenir Henri Desgrange.[4]
| Year | Stage | Category | Start | Finish | Leader at the summit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 8 | HC | Castres | Ax-3 Domaines | ||
| 2010 | 14 | HC | Revel | Ax-3 Domaines | ||
| 2007 | 14 | HC | Mazamet | Plateau-de-Beille | ||
| 2005 | 14 | HC | Agde | Ax-3 Domaines | ||
| 2003 | 13 | 1 | Toulouse | Ax-3 Domaines |