French Pyrenees Traverse Cycling Tour

Meet the team and the rest of the group at 9 am at Collioure SNCF railway station. We will jump straight on the bikes and warm up on the quiet roads of Collioure, a charming fishing port.

 

Highlights:

• Soak up the fragrant Mediterranean flora in the Ariège foothills

 

Passes of the day:

Col de la Brousse, 860 m (optional)

Col Xatard, 752 m

Col de Palomère, 1036 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)

Day 3 promises more ambitious climbs for confident riders, whose effort will not be in vain as we bask in the incredible vistas over towering mountains and plunging green valleys. 

 

Highlights:

• The breathtaking landscape of the Col de l’Agnes and the Etang de Lers
• Beautiful panoramic views in the descent from the Col de la Core

 

Passes of the day:

Pas de Souloumbrie, 911 m

Col de Port, 1250 m (optional)

Col des Caugnous, 947 m (optional)

Port de Lers, 1517 m (optional)

Col de l’Agnes, 1570 m (optional)

Col de la Core, 1395 m (optional)

The climbing continues on day 4 as we tackle three legendary Tour de France cols, gaining over 1,000 meters in elevation on each climb. Once again, the views do not disappoint as your efforts are rewarded on each descent. 

 

Highlights:

• The scenery of the Col de Menté
• A pretty village, Saint Béat
• The monument to Fabio Casartelli at the foot of the Col de Portet d’Aspet

 

Passes of the day:

Col de Portet d’Aspet, 1069 m

Col de Menté, 1369 m

Col du Portillon, 1293 m (optional)

Col de Peyresourde, 1569 m

The itinerary on day 5 features the longest climb of the tour so far up the legendary Col du Tourmalet with views of its surrounding peaks. As one of the highest paved mountain passes in the Pyrenees, it is an unmissable climb for any keen cyclist.  

 

Highlights:

• The Cirque de Gavarnie (optional)
• The high mountains of the Port de Boucharo (optional)

 

Passes of the day:

Col d’Aspin, 1489 m

Col du Tourmalet, 2115 m

Port de Boucharo, 2270 m (optional)

Day 6 offers some of the most picturesque routes of this epic adventure, especially the road between the Soulor Pass and Aubisque, which is said to be one of the most beautiful roads in the Pyrenees.

 

Highlights:

• The climb in a side valley up the Col des Bordères
• Breathtaking panoramic views of the Cirque de Gourette from the Col d’Aubsique
• The intriguing former spa town of Eaux Bonnes
• The alpine meadows during the ascent of the Col de Marie Blanque

 

Passes of the day:

Col des Bordères, 1156 m

Col du Soulor, 1474 m

Col d’Aubisque, 1709 m

Col du Porteigt, 880 m

Col de Marie-Blanque, 1035 m

The penultimate day of the French Pyrenees Cycling Adventure starts slow with an easy warm-up ride in Haut Béarn before attacking the famous Baguargui pass. What starts out as a leisurely spin along a paved road cut into the mountainside, eventually turns into the steepest climb of the week!

 

Highlights:

• The ascent of the Lourdios Gorges (optional)
• The picturesque lake and chalets of Iratyare ideal for a short break
• Breathtaking landscapes and views of the Atlantic before plunging to Esterencuby

 

Passes of the day:

Col de Labays, 1351 m (optional)

Col de Soudet, 1540 m (optional)

Col de Bagargui, 1319 m

Col d’Arthé, 937 m

The final day of the tour ends around noon in Saint-Jean-Pied port. An additional night’s stay or airport transfers can be arranged upon request.

 

Highlights:

• The ramparts and citadel of Saint-Jean-Pied Port, the ancient capital of Basse-Navarre.
• A hand-picked traverse of the Pays Basque, put together by a local
• Of course, the arrival at the Atlantic Ocean

 

Passes of the day:

Col d’Ispeguy, 672 m

Puerto de Otxondo, 570 m

Col de Saint Ignace, 169 m

Col d’Ibardin, 370 m (optional)