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 the moment 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,
- early June Tour – Montée du Géant festival,
- late September / October Tour – Autumn Colours,
- 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 / early October takes you on a cycling tour of the stunning Pyrénéan autumn colours. The inspiring landscapes are highlighted with the incredible clarity that the autumn light offers; burnt oranges, vivid reds and lively yellows of this romantic season. With an invigorating chill to the air, riding the Pyrénées in autumn is pure bliss.
By holidaying in the Pyrénées during early June and late September, you avoid the busy traffic that comes with the July / August peak summer season.
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,
- PLUS our very special ride guide – 2 times Olympian cyclist and all round great guy – Neil Martin
- 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…
Can’t get enough cycling? – Check out our 5 night Girona Tour 6th – 11th October 2022
We recognise the increased uncertainty that the current COVID situation may be causing in planning your future trips. To help you book with confidence, we are offering a modified cancellation policy : until the situation has stabilised , we will be offering 100% refund on bookings if you need to cancel due to COVID related restrictions up to 4 days prior to your tour start date. Cancellations made after that date – due to COVID Restrictions – you will receive a refund for the tour less the deposit.
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. This afternoon we will get everyone’s bikes set up and ready for your week ahead. Over welcome drinks and dinner you will get to know your fellow cyclists and talk about the rides ahead.
Day 2: Col d'Azet & Col de Peyresourde
62km / 39 Miles – 1851m / 6070 feet Elevation Gain
So many incredible rides it was hard to decide which one to start with! Today’s ride showcases what the Pyrénées is all about. Wild nature, dramatic landscapes and spellbinding scenery.
Day 3: Pla d'Adet & Col de Portet
43km / 27 Miles – 1828m / 6000 feet Elevation Gain
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’s only been in 1 Tour. But it is a beast! We were privileged to be at the Col de Portet inauguration in 2018 when the road to the ski station was sealed. Its claim to fame is its the highest paved road in the French Pyrénées at 2227m.
Day 4: La Route des Lacs
60km / 37 Miles – 2378m / 7800 feet Elevation Gain
Today is one of those special “look at those mountains! ” rides we love to share. We leave St Lary heading deep into the mountains via a valley that goes all the way to the Spanish border. As we wind our way up the valley 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. What a magical 3 days cycling! What a day ahead!
First on the menu is Col d’Aspin. It wouldn’t be VéloRoo style to ascend it on the well trodden path. Our little known route is one of the hidden back road gems that the Pyrenees are loved for. With wild landscapes, breathtaking views over “miniature model” villages that accentuate the magnificence of the massive backdrop and a gradient that starts with a bang before settling into “just difficult”.
Day 6: Luz Ardiden
45km / 28 Miles – 1367m / 4485 feet Elevation Gain
It might only be a 15 kilometre ascent, but there is some serious climbing to be had to reach the summit of the Ski Station and numerous TDF finishes that is Luz Ardiden.
Our legs have the chance to warm up on a charming 12km loop through a couple of stone hamlets clinging to the sides of the mountain before a gentle ramp to the base of Luz Ardiden. Shaded for the first part, you sneak some views through the trees. Hairpins give way to ramps up the mountainside. Arrive at the bottom of the open area you can’t quite see the summit, but you secretly hope its not at the top of the ranges!
Day 7: Col du Soulor & Col d'Aubisque
100km / 62 Miles – 2694m / 8838 feet Elevation Gain
Today we celebrate two wonderful climbs the Col du Solour and Col d’Aubisque. Our route passes through delightful grey stone villages surrounded by open fields and spectacular mountain backdrops.
The first ramps at the foot of the Col du Solour are challenging with the whole climb offering its own charm and character. A photo stop at the summit marker is a must, before we continue onto Col d’Aubisque.
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, it’s river full of massive rocks, a result of previous slides from the dramatic peaks we are surrounded by and a reminder of the harsh reality of the beautiful scenery surrounding us.
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
Ready to ride? VeloRoo can make your dream escape a reality
per person twin share
Single supplement additional $565