| Port de Larrau | |
|---|---|
Orhi from the Port de Larrau. A sign with the name and elevation of the pass is visible in the centre-left. | |
| Elevation | 1,578 m (5,177 ft) |
| Traversed by | D26/NA2100 |
| Location | |
| Location | Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France Navarre, Spain |
| Range | Pyrenees |
| Coordinates | 42°58′26″N 0°59′38″W / 42.97389°N 0.99389°W |
The Port de Larrau (Puerto de Larrau) (elevation 1,578 m (5,177 ft)) is a mountain pass on the France – Spain border in the western Pyrenees between the department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France and Navarre, Spain. The climb from the French side was used in the 2007 Tour de France.
The true summit of the pass is at 1,585 m (5,200 ft) and is near the Pic d’Orhi (2,017 m (6,617 ft)), the most westerly mountain over 2000m in the Pyrenees. In the Basque language the pass is known as Uthurzehetako Lepoua.
The pass is situated south east of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Starting from Auberge de Laugibar (north east), the Port de Larrau is 15.3 km (9.5 mi) long. Over this distance, the climb is 1,205 m (3,953 ft) (an average of 7.9%) with long sections at over 10% and the maximum gradient of 13% near the summit. Between the village of Larrau and the summit the climb passes over the Col d’Erroymendi at 1,362 m (4,469 ft).
Starting from Ochagavía (Navarre, Spain), the Puerto de Larrau is 19.3 km (12.0 mi) long with a 100 m. tunnel near the summit. Over this distance, the climb is 815 m (2,674 ft) (an average of 4.2%) with a maximum of 8%.
The climb first appeared in the Tour de France in 1996, when it became the final Tour de France climb to be ridden by five-times race winner Miguel Indurain, who lost out heavily here.[citation needed]
The climb from the south featured in the 2007 Tour de France on the 218.5 km (135.8 mi) stage 16 from Orthez to Gourette Col d'Aubisque.
| Year | Stage | Category | Start | Finish | Leader at the summit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 17 | HC | Argelès-Gazost | Pamplona | |
| 2007 | 16 | HC | Orthez | Gourette-Col d'Aubisque |