Iconic Climbs Pyrénées Cycling Tour

Welcome to St Lary Soulan, your base for the next 4 nights, spectacularly located deep in the Pyrénées. 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 adventures ahead.

62km / 39 Miles – 1851m / 6070 feet Elevation Gain

Today’s ride 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.

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!

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 truly an incredible feeling.

65km / 40 Miles – 2908m / 9540 feet Elevation Gain

Today we say goodbye to St Lary Soulan. What a magical 3 days cycling! What a day ahead!

First on the menu is Col d’Aspin on a little known route which is one of the hidden back road gems that the Pyrenees are loved for. Over the crest and you are transported into another completely different world through farm land, some say similar in feel to the Scottish Highlands.

Our next adventure – Tourmalet, the mythical beast of a mountain. En route the sights will leave you breathless and the gradient and altitude too, but that is another thing altogether! You will feel on top of the world as you reach probably the most respected summit in French cycling.

And the view from the top … WOW!

From here it is all down hill to our new base for 5 nights in Luz St Saveur. Enjoy … you have earned it. Not too fast though or you will miss the sights!

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.

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.

40km / 25 Miles – 1820m / 5971 feet Elevation Gain

Col du Tourmalet – the most frequently used climb in the history of Tour de France, it has been used over 80 times. On the first Tour de France crossing in 1910, “Assassins” is what Octave Lapize shouted at the TDF organisers, and it is he who is immortalised as the “Geant du Tourmalet” welcoming you at the summit.

3 days ago you took on the challenge of the climb from the east, today you will conquer the most recognisable climb, the western side from our village at Km 0. A bucket list item for every cyclist!

Take in the wide open vistas as you climb through the open pastures past the observant cows and occasionally even a llama. Pause to reflect on yet another huge achievement at the summit and a photo with the Geant. After the descent back towards Luz we will enjoy a well earned lunch. Explore the village or check out one of the local spas for a relaxing dip or massage.

And this evening there will be a unique procession through town – one not to be missed!

45km / 28 Miles – 1367m / 4485 feet Elevation Gain

This is a shorter distance and shorter climbing but has 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.

You will be back in time for lunch and an afternoon of true local culture. The Foire aux Cotelettes is a festival celebrating the tradition of the shepherds bringing their flocks down from the high mountains and back into the villages at the end of summer.

Au revoir! And now you continue your travels, taking with you all the memories from your epic adventure in the Pyrenees.