The route travelled south for a few kilometres, before turning east and heading to Pardies-Piétat and then south-east to Nay. The route travelled east through Bénéjacq and over the Category 3 Côte de Benejacq at . The race continued east through Pontacq, to Ossun, and then around the southern side of the Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport. The route then continued south from Lanne, Bénac and Orincles. This was followed by the Category 3 Côte de Loucrup at , and east to an intermediate sprint at Trébons, before heading south-east through Bagnères-de-Bigorre, Beaudéan and Campan. From Campan, the route headed south-east, south and then south-west, with a long climbing route to La Mongie, before heading west to the summit of the Hors catégorie Col du Tourmalet at . The race descended west through Barèges, and turned north-west at Luz-Saint-Sauveur, before reaching the valley floor at Villelongue and north to Beaucens. The route then began to climb north into Ayros-Arbouix. From here, the race headed south-east into the final climb of the stage, which was the Hors catégorie ascending route up to Hautacam, at .