French pyrenees cycling, Small sheep farm lost among the mountains of the Pyrenees, France

Pyrenees - France

French Pyrenees Traverse Cycling Tour

Guided 8 days

Ride the length of the Pyrenees, from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. Discover some of the quieter routes in the cycling world while exploring the French side of these beasty mountains.

Style
Road cycling
Gain
16,500 m
Distance
700 km
Level
Difficult

Tour overview

SUPERB AND UNCROWDED MOUNTAIN ROADS

The French Pyrenees Cycling Adventure alternates between legendary cols from the Tour de France and the region’s lesser-known mountain passes. It offers the chance to take in the diverse landscapes of the French side of the Pyrenees, from the Pyrénées Orientales to the dense forests of Ariège and the jagged peaks of the Hautes-Pyrénées.

This unique eight-day itinerary features luscious green and peaked mountain tops, offering cycling enthusiasts the chance to put their skills to the test.

You will finish this adventure feeling incredibly fulfilled having pushed your performance to the max, added a grand total of 700 km to your mileage and climbed more than 16,000 meters in altitude. This tour is certainly not for the faint-hearted.

Start point
Collioure
End point
St Jean de Luz
See program for full itinerary
Flying in
Lyon
Flying out
Toulouse

Flights not included. Direct flights available at lastminute.com

Highlights of your cycling trip

Legendary Routes

This itinerary includes an incredible range of rides and routes, from Tour de France cols to secluded lanes (still with excellent tarmac!).

All Meals Included

Kick start each day with breakfast, enjoy a picnic lunch en route, and wind down with a 3- or 4-course dinner. Each night we’ll stay in a different 2* or 3* hotel with secure bike storage.

Breathtaking Views

As you cycle, take in the jaw-dropping views of the French Pyrenees mountain range. Dramatic and breathtaking, these panoramics compensate for the uphill kilometers.

Tour destination

French Pyrenees

The Pyrenees mountain range runs as a barrier between France and Spain, stretching from the Mediterranean coast to the Atlantic. The height and rugged landscapes of these mountain roads make them a challenging alternative to the more popular routes in the Alps. Segments are part of the Tour de France, but there are plenty of lesser-known rides to discover another side of France.

Discover More
  • Weather

    Spring to Autumn offers the best weather conditions for mild riding in the mountains with the warm sun on your back. Coastal regions are prone to blustery winds coming off the ocean. Winter months are challenging with snowfall blocking the higher cols as early as October.

  • Terrain

    France offers an incredibly diverse range of terrain suitable for almost any level of rider. However, this tour through the Pyrenees is challenging with some intense climbs through the alpine mountains. Be prepared for tackling up to 3000 m altitude gains and averaging 100 km daily.

  • Culture

    France has a strong cycling culture across the country which is highlighted in the mountains with the superb roads and Tour de France influence. Road bike touring is a popular way to explore France and is welcomed in all of the rural areas. Drivers are courteous and the locals are friendly.

Accommodation during your tour

Comfortable 2-3* Hotels and Guesthouses

Each night we’ll sleep in a different 2 or 3 star hotel or guesthouse along our route, all of which offer a very pleasant stay after a full day of riding. We choose the accommodation based on its location and proximity to the start and end of each route and each location includes secure bike storage facilities so you can focus on some well-deserved R&R.

 

A support vehicle will be assisting us for the entire trip to move your bags and belongings safely between each location.

All Meals Included

This eight day tour includes all breakfasts, picnic lunches, and 3 or 4 course dinners, so all you need to worry about is what you want to drink with each meal. But we do recommend bringing your favorite gels and energy bars in case you need a mid-ride boost.

Tour itinerary

Your guide to a perfect cycling tour

Prades - Ax les Thermes
  • Distance
    110 km
  • Altitude gain
    2900 m

After a relaxed first day, day 2 features several climbs of over 1,000 meters as we start to move from east to west, up twists and turns and crossing through the green forests of the Col de Jau.

 

Highlights:

  • Visit of Mosset, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France
  • The climb to the Port de Pailhères, one of the best climbs of the week (level 3)
  • Panoramic views of the Ariège Valley from the Col de Chioula (level 3)

 

Passes of the day:

Col de Jau, 1506 m

Col de Garavel, 1256 m

Col de Moulis, 1099 m

Port de Pailhères, 2001 m (optional)

Col de Chioula, 1431 m (optional)

Col des Sept Frères, 1253 m (optional)

Col de Marmare, 1361m (optional)

Getting there

Information to help you book your flights and get around.

Any questions about flights and transfers? The Epico team is here for you. Ping us via the chatbot in the corner of your page or send an email to [email protected]

Flying in

Fly in airport options: Lyon, Montpellier, or Perpignan.

When best to arrive: in the evening the day before the tour starts.

Where the tour starts: Central Railway Station in Collioure, France at 9 am.

Transfers: we highly recommend you book an optional airport transfer that we offer, this way we can guarantee a seamless and hassle-free travel experience.

Extra nights: we recommend you book an optional extra night in Collioure that we offer; the tour starts in the morning and you’ll want to be fresh!

 

Flying out

Fly out airport options: Toulouse or Biarritz.

When best to depart: in the morning the next day after the tour ends.

Where the tour ends: St Jean de Luz, France in the afternoon.

Transfers: we highly recommend you book an optional airport transfer that we offer, this way we can guarantee a seamless and hassle-free travel experience.

Extra nights: we recommend you book an optional extra night near the airport that we offer; the tour ends in the afternoon, and packing up and transferring takes time.

Tour essentials

What’s included in your cycling trip.

  • 7 Nights Accommodation

    7 nights in 2-3* hotels, double room with en-suite facilities (single room available as an extra)

  • All Meals

    7 breakfasts, 7 picnic lunches, and 7 dinners (3 to 4 course menu)

  • Guide and Support

    Trip leader in support vehicle, luggage transfers, and tech support throughout the tour

  • GPS Tracks

    Comprehensive navigation app for smartphones, a detailed digital road book with routes, and GPS tracks

Cycling bottle

What’s not included in your cycling trip.

  • Flights

    Flights are not included in the tour package. Please follow our advice about which flights will be best suited for this tour. Reach out to us if you have any questions about flights.

  • Health Insurance

    We strongly recommend that you obtain specific health insurance that covers cycling. Reach out to us if you have questions about insurance.

Extra
Bike rental
From only €275 for the entire trip

It’s not always easy travelling with a bike but fear not, high quality carbon bikes are available for rental for the duration of the tour. To make sure you get the maximum from your bike for your trip, we’ve partnered with some of the best brands in cycling to give you the latest choice of equipment.

With a variety of sizes available, we can ensure your bike fits you perfectly.  All rental bikes are mechanically checked and adjusted before each and every hire so you can have peace of mind that your bike will be running smoothly from start to finish!

An Electric Road Bike is also available to rent.

You can select this option when you proceed to checkout. 

CARBON ROAD BIKE

Fitted to you and in perfect condition

More things to maximise your cycling trip

  • EXTRA
    Single accommodation
    €245 per person for entire trip

    If you’d like a whole room to yourself, that’s no problem. For an extra €245, you can enjoy the comfort of your own room for the trip duration. Just select this option when you proceed to book your tour at checkout.

  • EXTRAS
    Airport transfers
    From €140 per person

    Transportation for you and your bike from the nearest airport to the start point and back is available to book for €140 (round trip). You can select this option when you proceed to checkout. Contact us if you have any questions.

  • EXTRA
    Additional nights
    From €190 per person

    The tour starts in the morning and ends in the evening, plus airport transfers take time. We recommend that you fly in the day before and fly out the day after to maximise your trip. You can book these two additional nights for €190 when you proceed to checkout.

Booking options

Choose when you want to travel

Don't see the travel dates you want or have a special request, such as adding a non-rider, please contact us.

  • Guarantee a spot during busy periods
  • Only 30% down payment to secure your place
  • Fair & Transparent Cancellation Policy
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Booking options