Port de Larrau

{{Infobox mountain pass

| name = Port de Larrau

| photo = Pic_d_Orhi.png

| photo_caption = Orhi from the Port de Larrau. A sign with the name and elevation of the pass is visible in the centre-left.

| elevation_m = 1578

| elevation_ref = [http://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/accueil?c=-0.993889,42.973889&z=0.000316906&l=GEOGRAPHICALGRIDSYSTEMS.MAPS.3D$GEOPORTAIL:OGC:WMTS@aggregate(1)&permalink=yes IGN map]

| traversed = D26/NA2100

| map = Pyrenees

| map_relief = 1

| map_caption = Location in the Pyrenees

| label = Port de Larrau

| coords = {{coord|42|58|26|N|0|59|38|W|type:pass_region:FR|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| location = Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France
Navarre, Spain

| range = Pyrenees

| topo =

}}

The Port de Larrau (Puerto de Larrau) (elevation {{convert|1578|m|ft|abbr=on}}) 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 {{convert|1585|m|ft|abbr=on}} and is near the Pic d’Orhi ({{convert|2017|m|ft|abbr=on}}), the most westerly mountain over 2000m in the Pyrenees. In the Basque language the pass is known as Uthurzehetako Lepoua.

Details of the climb

The pass is situated south east of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Starting from Auberge de Laugibar (north east), the Port de Larrau is {{convert|15.3|km|mi|abbr=on}} long. Over this distance, the climb is {{convert|1205|m|ft|abbr=on}} (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 {{convert|1362|m|ft|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|title=Port de Larrau - Auberge de Laugibar|url=http://www.climbbybike.com/climb.asp?Col=Port-de-Larrau&qryMountainID=7059|publisher=climbbybike|accessdate=3 September 2014}}

Starting from Ochagavía (Navarre, Spain), the Puerto de Larrau is {{convert|19.3|km|mi|abbr=on}} long with a 100 m. tunnel near the summit. Over this distance, the climb is {{convert|815|m|ft|abbr=on}} (an average of 4.2%) with a maximum of 8%.{{cite web|title=Port de Larrau - Ochagavia|url=http://www.climbbybike.com/climb.asp?Col=Port-de-Larrau&qryMountainID=4783|publisher=climbbybike|accessdate=3 September 2014}}

Tour de France

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|date=September 2014}}

The climb from the south featured in the 2007 Tour de France on the {{convert|218.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} stage 16 from Orthez to Gourette Col d'Aubisque. This was probably the hardest climb in the 2007 Tour, sustaining almost the same gradient as the Col de Menté, but twice as long.{{citation needed|date=September 2014}}

=Appearances in Tour de France=

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
Year{{cite web\|title=Le Port de Larrau dans le Tour de France\|url=http://www.ledicodutour.com/cols/cols_l/larrau.html\|publisher=ledicodutour\|language=French}} !Stage !Category !Start !Finish !Leader at the summit
1996 \|17 \|HC \|Argelès-Gazost \|Pamplona \|align=left\|{{Flagathlete\|Richard Virenque\|FRA}}
2007 \|16 \|HC \|Orthez \|Gourette-Col d'Aubisque \|align=left\|{{Flagathlete\| José Vicente García \|ESP}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"

Year{{cite web|title=Le Port de Larrau dans le Tour de France|url=http://www.ledicodutour.com/cols/cols_l/larrau.html|publisher=ledicodutour|language=French}}

!Stage

!Category

!Start

!Finish

!Leader at the summit

1996

|17

|HC

|Argelès-Gazost

|Pamplona

|align=left|{{Flagathlete|Richard Virenque|FRA}}

2007