Overview
Cycling in the Pyrenees is the ultimate experience for serious cyclists, following in the imaginary slipstream of Tour de France heroes. We offer a superb support team as you cycle between 75 and 155km per day, over eight days, with daily elevation gains of up to 3,600m from col to col. This traditional route, from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, takes in peaks of the Hautes-Pyrenees, forests of the Ariège, beautiful Basque valleys and so much more. One of our toughest cycling holidays, you need plenty of experience, but it’s worth getting in training for. Even if you opt for an e-bike
- Collioure
- Port de Pailhères
- Oloron-Sainte-Marie
- Sainte-Marie-de-Campan
- Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Itinerary
Day 1: Collioure – Prades | 115-130km
Meet the team at 09.00 at Collioure railway station. Pre-tour nights can also be booked on request.
Today’s ride begins in Collioure. Leaving from the Old Town, cycle along the winding roads of the Albères foothills. Ascend to some small passes, including Col Xatard (752m) and Col de Palomère (1,036m), heading through the fragrant southern Mediterranean vegetation, before ending today’s ride in Prades.
- Cycling for the day: option 1: 115km ↑1,600m or option 2: 130km, ↑2,350m
- Accommodation: Best Western Le Vauban or similar
Day 2: Prades – Ax-les-Thermes | 110-115km
Today’s route begins by heading up to Col de Jau (1,506m) and descending through surrounding woodland. After another steep climb, you reach Col de Garavel (1,256m) and then descend down into a gorge, close to the Aude river. From here, begin your ascent towards the col, Port de Pailhères (2,001m), reaching one of the highlights of the tour, with the reward of panoramic views after a series of hairpin bends. If following the option 2 route, there is the option to take a detour to Col de Chioula (1,431m). Descend to Ax-les-Thermes, the final stop of today’s ride.
- Cycling for the day: option 1: 110km, ↑2,900m or option 2: 115km, ↑3,330m
- Accommodation: Le Chalet or similar
Day 3: Ax-les-Thermes – Saint-Lary | 125-150km
Today’s stage is the longest of the tour, and leaving from Ax-les-Thermes, the first pass of the day is Pas de Souloumbrie (911m). Head through Saurat Valley, passing alpine pastures, before reaching Col de Port (1,250m). Descend to Saint-Girons, the perfect place to stop for a break by the river, before ascending once again, towards Saint-Lary. The more strenuous option 2 route involves ascents to Col de l’Agnes (1,570m), Port de Lers (1,517 m) and Col de la Core (1,395m), also ending in Saint-Lary for the evening.
- Cycling for the day: option 1: 125km, ↑2,000m or option 2: 150km, ↑3,100m
- Accommodation: Auberge de l’Isard or similar
Day 4: Saint-Lary – Germ | 90-110km
Today’s route starts with an ascent to Col de Portet d’Aspet (1,069m), where you can pay your respects at the Fabio Casartelli memorial. After a second climb to Col de Menté (1,369m), a flat section follows upon your descent, leading to the small town of Bagnères-de-Luchon, which is located at the foot of Col de Peyresourde (1,569m), today’s most challenging climb. Take in panoramic views over the peaks of Hautes-Pyrénées, before descending to Loudervielle and continuing on to Germ. The option 2 route also includes Col du Portillon (1,293m).
- Cycling for the day: option 1: 90km, ↑2,400m or option 2: 110km, ↑3,000m
- Accommodation: local guesthouse/family-run hotel
Day 5: Germ – Luz-Saint-Sauveur | 75-130km
Begin the day with a descent to Arreau, before embarking on the 13km climb to Col d’Aspin (1,489m). Cycle through Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, beginning your 17km ascent up to the legendary Col du Tourmalet (2,115m), passing La Mongie ski resort along the way. Option 2’s route takes you even higher towards Cirque de Gavarnie and Port de Boucharo/Col de Tentes (2,270m). Begin your descent to Luz-Saint-Sauveur, where today’s ride ends.
- Cycling for the day: option 1: 75km, ↑ 2,100m or option 2: 130km, ↑3,600m
- Accommodation: Hôtel Ardiden or similar
Day 6: Luz-Saint-Sauveur – Oloron-Sainte-Marie | 110km
Leaving Luz-Saint-Sauveur, head through the valley and along quiet roads up to Col des Bordères (1,156m). Descend to Arrens-Marsous, from where the climb to Col de Soulor (1,474m) begins. The historic road between Col de Soulor and Col d’Aubisque (1,709m) is one of the most dramatic sections of the tour, ending with views of Cirque de Gourette from Col d’Aubsique. Pass through Eaux-Bonnes and Laruns during your descent, before tackling the final challenging climb of the day up to Col de Marie-Blanque (1,035m). Enter the historic region of Béarn and arrive in Oloron-Sainte-Marie.
- Cycling for the day: 110km, ↑2,500m
- Accommodation: Hôtel Alysson or similar
Day 7: Oloron-Sainte-Marie – Esterençuby | 80-155km
Today’s route starts by winding through the Pyrenean foothills, reaching the village of Larrau after 35km. Alternatively, upon leaving Oloron-Sainte-Marie, option 2 heads to Col de Labbays (1,351m), continues on to Col de Soudet (1,540m), and then after a rapid descent, rejoins the option 1 route for the climb up to Col Bagargui (1,319m). Follow the route through smaller passes, before beginning your descent into Esterençuby.
- Cycling for the day: option 1: 80km, 1,800m or option 2: 155km, ↑3,100m
- Accommodation: Les Sources de la Nive
Day 8: Esterençuby – Saint-Jean-de-Luz | 85-105km
Leaving Esterençuby, the final stage of the tour leads towards the Atlantic Ocean. Pass through the pilgrimage town of Saint-Jean-Pied-Port and continue cycling through the Basque country on flat roads, before arriving in Saint-Etienne-de-Baigory, where the ascent up to Col d’Ispeguy (672m) begins. Descend from there, entering the Navarre province in Spain. Pass through several small villages, reaching Puerto de Otxondo (570m), before the route leads back over the French border. Complete the final climb of the tour, up to the Col de Saint Ignace (169m), before arriving in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, where the tour ends, at around 14.00. Alternatively, the option 2 route extends the ride with a detour via Col d’Ibardin (370m).
On request, we can book a night’s accommodation in Saint-Jean-de-Luz or organise a shared transfer to Collioure.
- Cycling for the day: option 1: 85km, ↑1,300m or option 2: 105km, ↑1,600m
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
The meal plan is on a full board basis, including seven breakfasts, seven picnic lunches and seven dinners, prepared using fresh and local products wherever possible. For the lunches, there are two options: a picnic lunch to be carried in your daypack pack or just energy bars and dried fruit for those who don’t want to carry lunches. The picnic lunches usually consist of a carbohydrate and vegetable based salad, cold meats, cheese and fruit, and the dinners are usually three or four courses. It is also recommended to bring your own energy bars and isotonic drinks.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated strenuous and is suitable for experienced cyclists, with daily distances varying between 75 and 155km and daily elevation gains of up to 3,600m. An excellent level of fitness is required for this tour and it is most suited to those who partake in road cycling all year, in all conditions, and regularly cycle over 100km in a day. There is a support vehicle escorting the group during the cycling stages, so if you require any assistance or breaks, support is always available (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you to only follow marked trails and never try to shorten the routes through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with a detailed roadbook and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from the beginning of June until mid-September, departing every Sunday (with the exception of 04 July 2026 which is a Saturday departure). Please click the Book Now or See Dates and Prices buttons to see the exact departure dates.
Depending on location and altitude, temperatures vary, but from June to September, the average maximum temperatures of the region range from 26-29C. For more information, see our blog on the Best time to go to France.
Daily schedule
During each day of cycling, you only carry your day pack (should you have one), all main luggage is transported each day by the support vehicle.
After breakfast, the support vehicle driver packs the luggage in the van, distributes cereal bars, and announces the time slot for lunch. The driver can also hand out the picnic lunches to any participants who do not wish to stop at the designated picnic lunch stop.
Once all participants have passed the picnic stop, the driver transports your luggage to the following accommodation, before returning to wait at the foot of the last climb of the day, where they are then available to help any members of the group in difficulty or with any mechanical problems. Usually, cyclists meet the van driver several times during the day, providing the opportunity to fill up with water or change clothing.
Each participant is free to ride at their own pace, using the roadbook and GPS tracks to navigate the routes during the day. The driver is equipped with a mobile phone and is reachable at any time during the day if a participant encounters a problem or requires assistance. The driver is available throughout the trip to provide information and advice.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
The recommended arrival airports are Perpignan Airport and Toulouse-Blagnac Airport and Biarritz Airport is the recommended departure airport.
By train or bus
If you are able to travel to France without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail with railway stations in Collioure and Saint-Jean-de-Luz. For more details, see the national rail operator SNCF Connect or use the Omio planner above. If travelling from the UK, see Eurostar and SNCF Connect to plan your journey.
Arrival in Collioure:
- From Perpignan Airport, take the bus service to Perpignan, from there, take one of the regular train services to Collioure. For bus timetables, see Sankéo and for trains see SNCF Connect or use the Omio planner above
- From Toulouse Airport, take the bus shuttle service to Toulouse Matabiau, from there are train services to Collioure (no direct ones, change of trains in Narbonne or Perpignan). For bus timetables, see Tisséo and for trains see SNCF Connect or use the Omio planner above
Departure from Saint-Jean-de-Luz:
- From Saint-Jean-de-Luz, there are bus services to Biarritz Airport (line 3, 40mins). For more information, see Txik Txak or use the Omio planner above
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 breakfasts, 7 picnic lunches and 7 dinners
- Daily luggage transfers
- Detailed digital tour materials, including: smartphone navigation app, GPS tracks and a detailed roadbook with maps
- Tour leader in a support vehicle
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Flights and land transfers
- Transfer to the meeting point
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Drinks or snacks
- Visits to museums, monuments and sights not covered in the programme
- Additional travel related changes in the programme due to bad weather
- All personal expenses
- Anything not listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Bike rental
- Pre-tour night in Collioure
- Post-tour night in Saint-Jean-de-Luz
- Transfer from Saint-Jean-de-Luz to Collioure on day eight
- Sports massage on day five (Luz-Saint-Sauveur)
Bike rental
The following bikes are available to rent on this tour*:
- Standard option: carbon frame and fork, disc brakes, Shimano 105, 12-speed cassette (11-34), approx. 8.9kg, aluminium wheels, Wilier Garda or equivalent
- Premium option: carbon frame and fork, disc brakes, Ultegra di2 group set or equivalent, 12-speed cassette (11-34), 50/34 crankset, approx. 7.6kg, carbon wheels, Wilier Filante SL or equivalent
- E-bike: aluminium frame and carbon fork, 500 Wh battery, aluminium wheels, Shimano XT Di2 groupset, 11 speeds, single chainring 47t, 11-50 cassette, approx. 20 kg, Giant Revolt E+ Pro model or equivalent
Details (apply to all models):
- Repair kit includes: two CO2 cartridges, patches, multi-tool, one inner tube, tyre levers
- Two bottle holders (except size 47 bicycles, on which only one can be placed)
- Pedals: our rental bikes come without pedals. You can either bring your own pedals or specify your needs and we can install a choice of three types of pedals at no extra charge: Look KEO easy, Shimano SPD-SL or Shimano SPD
Please indicate your choice of model and pedals as well as your height (if possible, also frame size) when filling out the booking form. You will receive your chosen model from the support vehicle driver on the first day of your tour, they will carry out an inventory of the bike with you, as well as a second inventory at the end of the tour. Please note that helmets are not included in the bike rental.
Sample pictures attached below, note that the exact models may differ depending on availability, but the standard will be the same.
*Bike parts such as tyres, tubes, brake pads and cables are included in the rental price. Only parts and components that are broken due to a crash and/or misuse will be charged. In the event of bike loss or theft, a fixed fee will be charged (€2,200 for the standard model, €3,590 for the premium and electric models). We recommend insuring against this before you travel, just in case. You can get a quote online or contact your own insurer.
