
Legendary Routes
This itinerary includes an incredible range of rides and routes, from Tour de France cols to secluded lanes (still with excellent tarmac!).
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.
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.
Flights not included. Direct flights available at lastminute.com
This itinerary includes an incredible range of rides and routes, from Tour de France cols to secluded lanes (still with excellent tarmac!).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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)
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]
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!
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.
7 nights in 2-3* hotels, double room with en-suite facilities (single room available as an extra)
7 breakfasts, 7 picnic lunches, and 7 dinners (3 to 4 course menu)
Trip leader in support vehicle, luggage transfers, and tech support throughout the tour
Comprehensive navigation app for smartphones, a detailed digital road book with routes, and GPS tracks
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.
We strongly recommend that you obtain specific health insurance that covers cycling. Reach out to us if you have questions about insurance.
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.
Fitted to you and in perfect condition
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.
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.
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.
Don't see the travel dates you want or have a special request, such as adding a non-rider, please contact us.