Col du Tourmalet in Barèges

You're standing on the Col du Tourmalet, 2,115 metres up in the Pyrenees. It's one of the highest paved mountain passes in France, and probably the most famous. Have a look around. To the west, the road drops down towards the little village of Barèges. To the east lies the ski resort of La Mongie, and further down Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, where the climb starts. From there it's 17.2 kilometres uphill, gaining almost 1,300 metres. And to the north, the Pic du Midi de Bigorre towers over you.