Pyrenees Coast 2 Coast

From Barcelona we drive to Alquezar where we will set up the bikes. You will warm up on an undulating route which takes in some breathtaking scenery passing two beautiful reservoirs. The 60km route takes us to the base of the Aragonese Pyrenees (Spain) where we still stay in a quaint medieval village. Our accommodation for the night is regularly voted as one of Spain’s most charming towns.

Distance: 60km / Meals: Dinner Included / Sleep: Ainsa (Spain)

Cycling from our amazing hotel your challenge for the day is the Alto de Fanlo climb. In order to access this climb you first must cycle to the entrance of the spectacular Añisclo Gorge. We will follow a narrow one way only road that weaves its way through this important bird habitat. If we are lucky we might just spot a Griffon Vulture! The climb out of the canyon offers postcard Spanish Pyrenees mountain views.

Distance: 90km / Meals: Breakfast Included / Sleep: Ainsa (Spain)

There are two all-France ride options available today. Both options are hotel loop rides and things get started with Col de Val Louron-Azet. At 7.5km long it is not one of the most fearsome climbs in the Pyrenees but it is a key climb when linking Tour de France stages between important mountain towns such as ‘Argeles’, ‘Luz’, ‘St Lary’ and ‘Luchon’. From the summit we will jump across to the mighty Col de Peyresourde which has 61 TDF crossings. Reward yourself with a crepe at the summit before bombing back down to the St Lary valley.

Feel free to call it a day or continue with the optional extra climb to Col de Portet. Can you remember the short and intense Stage 17 mountain route during the 2018 TDF? Then Col de Portet should be fresh in your mind. The road has only been asphalted for a couple of years and the 16km climb with an 8.7% average gradient is one of the most amazing and quietest ascents in the whole Pyrenees!

Distance: 90km / Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Incl / Sleep: Saint Lary (France)

For those looking for a rest then today is the perfect chance to recuperate before tomorrow´s attack on the Col du Tourmalet. Why not visit the town markets in St Lary Soulan and enjoy a long lunch!

The cycling route on offer those takes our cyclists up to Cap d’Long with this mountain reservoir hovering at an astonishing 2160m altitude (France´s second highest reservoir). The Tour de France would love to have a stage finish here but the logistics just do not allow access for such a big event. Anyone who has decided to rest up today should seriously consider joining us in the support vehicles for our picnic lunch in this beautiful landscape!

Distance: 80km / Meals: Breakfast Incl. / Sleep: Saint Lary (France)

A route for the cycling purists – a double climb ride straight from the TDF route book! Ancizan is one of our favourite valleys with green lush pastures and it is a pure delight descending down to the road joining Col d’Aspin. From here the descending continues down to the base of the Tourmalet.

Col du Tourmalet is a challenging climb (18km) but the most famous of all TDF ‘cols’ with over 100 race route passings! A highlight for everyone is greeting the giant structure (`Geant`) dedicated to Octave Lapize the first cyclist to cross the Tourmalet during the TDF over a century ago.

Distance: 100km / Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Incl. / Sleep: Argeles Gazost (France)

Over the last couple of days some big Tour de France climbs have been conquered. Now we would like to step away from the most popular routes and take you into the heart of the Gavarnie National Park. Due to its pristine environment the Tour de France is unable to receive permission to bring ‘La Grand Boucle’ into areas where the ‘Boucharo’ and ‘Cirque du Troumouse’ climbs call home. These two classic road cycling climbs snake there way up to impressive glaciers. If spectacular climbs, quiet roads and exploring magical places is on your radar then look no further than the Gavarnie National Park

Distance: 100km / Meals: Breakfast Included / Sleep: Argeles Gazost (France)

Cycling from Argeles Gazost one of the great Pyrenees climb doubles is calling us, Col du Soulor and Col d´Aubisque! The hors categorie Col d’Aubisque climb has been passed 45 times during the Tour de France making it the second most used climb in race history. After first passing Col du Soulor you will cycle the dramatic mountain road which links the Soulor and Aubisque summits. The road breathtakingly hugs the cliffs of the Cirque du Litor, passes two striking tunnels and is simply a cycling experience like no other. This afternoon there will be a 2hr van transfer into Navarra province and now we are back in the Spanish Pyrenees!

Distance: 90km / Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Included / Sleep: Isaba (Spain)

The Irati Forest is one of Spain´s best kept secrets! Wild mountains, gorges, fast flowing rivers and lush farmland provide the perfect backdrop for road cycling. After a day cycling through this region you will understand why Spanish cycling legend Miguel Indurain found it so easy to spend hours training on his bike.

For those wanting a relatively easy ride today there is a 55km hotel loop which in many ways resembles the Italian Dolomites for scenery. A challenge awaits those who are game with the optional 15km climb called ‘Piedra de St Martin’. This is the same mountain pass where Chris Froome won the Stage 10 summit finish during the 2015 Tour de France!

Distance: 85km / Meals: Breakfast Included / Sleep: Isaba (Spain)

It may be the final day on the bikes but the spectacular scenery does not let up just yet. The route takes you out of the Irati Forest and onto the quiet backroads towards Pamplona. Winding roads which pass reservoirs and woodlands is what awaits you today. Tonight we celebrate in style along San Sebastian’s famous Concha Beach and medieval old town! If you need any assistance with post-tour Basque Coutnry planning feel free to ask us.

Distance: 85km / Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Incl. / Sleep: San Sebastian (Spain)

Following breakfast the guides will depart the hotel. In the past we have organised van transfers to San Sebastian bus/train station and Bilbao Airport (1hr 15min). Please let us know though if you need to get to Madrid or Barcelona and we can assess the options.

Meals: Breakfast included