If you don't climb the mountain...
You can't enjoy the view!
Cycle the Pyrénées -
Awe-inspiring, epic proportions.
The Pyrénées...
The mountains for Climbing Connoisseurs!
Road Cycling at its most iconic.
Enjoy the natural beauty of the French Pyrénées.
Views forever
A ride to remember
Challenge yourself
Live the dream ...
Iconic Climbs Pyrénées Challenge
1 Roo:
I’m relatively fit and comfortable on the bike and happiest on mild gradients or the flat.
2 Roo’s:
I regularly ride for fitness, dry days I ride to work, and weekend fun with friends. I enjoy an active healthy lifestyle and occasional physical challenges.
3 Roo’s:
Fitness and health is my life. I ride regularly on a weekly basis with mates and am comfortable with rides of around 4 hours at a relatively strong pace.
4 Roo’s:
I ride on average 250 + k’s a week and enjoy a 100k rides on the weekends. I love to train, improve, and sometimes challenge amongst my friends.
5 Roo’s:
Riding is my life! I’m not interested in racing, I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. I love the challenge and the idea of where my legs and bike can take me. My friends and I are always looking for the next cycling adventure.
Tour Statistics
VéloRoo’s Pyrénées Iconic Climbs Challenge is about experiencing magnificent moments with incredible bike riding amidst the Haute Pyrenees. Discover two magnificent areas rich with cycling monuments, hidden local favourites and World Heritage listed areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Tour Highlights
- Bucket list Pyrenees climbs,
- Col d’Aspin, Col de Peyresourde, Col du Portet , plus more, then change locations ….
- Col du Tourmalet, Col d’Aubisque, Col de Soulor, Luz Ardiden,
- PLUS the climbs the locals favour,
- late May / early June Tour – Montée du Géant festival,
- late September Tour – local transhumance festival,
- Avoid the peak tourist season.
Our Spring Pyrénées Challenge marks the official opening of the Pyrénées in early June for the summer cycling season.
The “Montée du Géant” festival is a celebration of cycling, endeavour and history, as you take part in the procession that returns Le Géant to his summer home, the summit of the Col du Tourmalet.
Our Autumn Pyrénées Challenge in late September takes you on a cycling tour of the stunning Pyrénéan autumn colours. The tour culminates with the local festival of Transhumance. The age old tradition of bring livestock down from the high pastures into the valley to shelter for winter. The inspiring landscapes are highlighted with the incredible clarity that the autumn light offers during this romantic season. With an invigorating chill to the air, riding the Pyrénées in autumn is pure bliss.
Avoid the busy traffic by holidaying in the Pyrénées during early June and late September. Imagine quiet roads, punctuated by the occasional cow bell or local sheep herders and their flocks, allowing you to soak up the idyllic French serenity. You can be sure that after your VéloRoo Pyrénées Challenge, you will have stories and memories of a lifetime.
- Small group specialists
- approx group size of 9 riders so you get premium support
- Fully supported rides
- Vehicle support by owner / operator Julia
- Ride guiding by owner / operator Steve,
- Performance Road Bike Hire included
- Accommodation – 9 nights twin share (single supplement available)
- only change locations once!
- All breakfasts,
- All lunches,
- All dinners,
- pick up from Tarbes train station or airport
- drop off at Lourdes train station
- European made VeloRoo Cycling Jersey,
- Cycling kits washed daily (and not by you in your bathroom sink!)
- You just turn up and ride, EVERYTHING is taken care of,
- Non-Cyclists – options available!
- Live, Laugh, Ride…
Pyrénées Iconic Climbs Cycling Tour – Day by Day
Experience the best the Pyrénées has to offer on our Iconics Climbs Tour. Not just the monuments but also the special places the locals love. A guaranteed unique experience in the mystical Pyrénées with VéloRoo – Live, Laugh, Ride … Cycling Holidays.
For full climb profiles and a detailed itinerary complete your email below and we will send you the PDF.
Day 1: Welcome to the Pyrenees!
Welcome to your base for the next 4 nights in Saint Lary Soulan. Your bikes will be set up and ready for the exciting week ahead, and over welcome drinks and dinner, you will have the time to get to know your fellow cyclists in the group and talk about the adventure ahead.
Day 2: Col d'Azet & Col de Peyresourde
62km / 39 Miles – 1851m / 6070 feet Elevation Gain
Today’s ride is the introduction and showcases what the Pyrénées is all about. The wild nature, dramatic landscapes and spellbinding scenery are waiting for you from the start till the end of the ride.
Day 3: Pla d'Adet & Col de Portet
43km / 27 Miles – 1828m / 6000 feet Elevation Gain
This is for the fans! or anyone who has a passing interest in the Tour will be familiar with the stage finish of Pla d’Adet, less familiar is Col de Portet. It is a beast, it’ll become an icon, it’s contentious but we think that it’s better than the Alpe d’Huez. After today you can be the judge!
Day 4: La Route des Lacs
60km / 37 Miles – 2378m / 7800 feet Elevation Gain
We leave St Lary heading deep into the mountains via a valley that goes all the way to the Spanish border. The ancient road has been a traveller route for eons. We will wind our way up the valley where you can’t help but be awestruck by the surrounding mountains, whose peaks are all well above 2,500 meters above sea level. It is an incredible feeling.
Day 5: Col d'Aspin, La Hourquette d'Ancizan & Col du Tourmalet
65km / 40 Miles – 2908m / 9540 feet Elevation Gain
Today we say goodbye to St Lary Soulan and head to Luz St Saveur. Starting with Col d’Aspin, our little known route is one of the hidden back road gems that the Pyrenees are loved for. Finishing the day with the Tourmalet, will make you feel on top of the world as you reach probably the most respected summit in French cycling.
Day 6: Luz Ardiden
45km / 28 Miles – 1367m / 4485 feet Elevation Gain
Shorter distance and shorter climbing, but with 9 more hairpins than alpe d’huez. You will experience uniquely beautiful scenery at every turn, with a million dollar view waiting for you at the top.
Day 7: Col du Soulor & Col d'Aubisque
100km / 62 Miles – 2694m / 8838 feet Elevation Gain
Todays ride will pass through delightful grey stone villages surrounded by open fields and spectacular mountain backdrops as we will celebrate the day by ascending the two wonderful climbs the Col du Solour and Col d’Aubisque. Where a surprise is waiting for you along the way.
Day 8: Col du Tourmalet
40km / 25 Miles – 1820m / 5971 feet Elevation Gain
The Iconic of all Iconic TDF climbs. So many stories have been written about the “grand daddy” of climbs, and today it is your turn to scribe your own story into the history pages of the Tourmalet’s slopes.
Day 9: Col de Tentes
60km / 37 Miles – 1837 / 6027 feet Elevation Gain
Todays ride is in the direction of the Spanish border and a region listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The steady climbing route takes us along the gorge, river full of massive rocks, a reminder of the harsh reality of the beautiful scenery surrounding us. Simply the most incredible climb you have never heard of but will never forget.
Day 10: Au Revoir
Au revoir! And now you continue your travels, taking with you all the memories from your epic adventure in the Pyrenees.
Want to know more about this tour? Fill out your name and email address below and we’ll send you a full itinerary.
Upcoming Tour Dates
Pyrénées Iconic Climbs Challenge
- 27 May - 05 June 2023Ready to book
- 22 September - 01 October 2023Ready to book
Ready to ride? VeloRoo can make your dream escape a reality
per person twin share
Single supplement additional $565
