Pyrenees Grande Traversee

Meet the team and the rest of the group at 9am 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 (level 3 only)
• Col Xatard, 752 m
• Col de Palomère, 1036 m

Highlights:

• Visit of Mosset, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France
• The forests of the Col de Jau
• 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 (level 3 only)
• Col de Chioula, 1431 m (level 3 only)
• Col des Sept Frères, 1253 m (level 2 only)
• Col de Marmare, 1361m (level 2 only)

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 (level 2 only)
• Col des Caugnous, 947 m (level 2 only)
• Port de Lers, 1517 m (level 3 only)
• Col de l’Agnes, 1570 m (level 3 only)
• Col de la Core, 1395 m (level 3 only)

Highlights:

• Three legendary Tour de France cols
• 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 (level 3 only)
• Col de Peyresourde, 1569 m

Highlights:

• The legendary Col du Tourmalet and the views of the surrounding peaks
• The Cirque de Gavarnie (level 3)
• The high mountains of the Port de Boucharo (level 3)

Passes of the day:

• Col d’Aspin, 1489 m
• Col du Tourmalet, 2115 m
• Port de Boucharo, 2270 m (optional level 3)

Highlights:

• The climb in a side valley up the Col des Bordères
• The road between the Soulor Pass and Aubisque, perhaps the most beautiful road in the Pyrenees
• 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

Highlights:

• A very nice warm-up in Haut Béarn before attacking the famous Baguargui pass.
• The ascent of the Lourdios Gorges (level 3 only)
• The Col de Bagargui, steepest climb of the week
• The picturesque lake and chalets of Iraty: 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 (level 3 only)
• Col de Soudet, 1540 m (level 3 only)
• Col de Bagargui, 1319 m
• Col d’Arthé, 937 m

The final day of the tour ends around noon in Saint-Jean-Pied Port. Additional nights 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 level 3 only)