Col du Platzerwasel

The Col du Platzerwasel (elevation 1182 m) is a mountain pass situated in the Vosges Mountains in the Haut-Rhin department of France, between Sondernach and Le Markstein. It has been crossed occasionally during the Tour de France cycle race, including on Stage 10 of the 2014 race.

Details of climb
From the north-east, the climb starts in Munster from where the climb is 16.2 km long, gaining 781 m in altitude, at an average gradient of 4.8%. At Sondernach, the climb meets the descent from the Col du Petit Ballon; from here the summit is 7.1 km at an average gradient of 8.4%. The steepest sections of the climb are at a gradient of 9.6% between 6 km and 4 km from the summit.

Tour de France
Including 2014, the col has been crossed four times by the Tour de France.

On the 10th stage of the 2014 Tour de France, Alberto Contador crashed on the descent from the Col du Platzerwasel, breaking his tibia. After riding on for 20 km, he eventually abandoned the Tour.

It will be the final mountain climb in the 2023 Tour de France, in stage 20 on 22 July 2023, before a stage finish nearby at Le Markstein Fellering.

Tour de France Femmes
The col was used on Stage 7 of the 2022 Tour de France Femmes.