Walking
Trekking
Multi activity
Paragliding
Canyoning
Cycling
Family holidays
Skiing
Off-piste skiing
Ski touring
Snow shoeing
Ice
Spas
Snow report and events now on News

Click here for Cycling, Pyrenees or Mountain Biking, Pyrenees

Pyrenees cycling & "Tour de France"

**Availability for Tour de France week July 12th-19th 2008**

Our base in the mountain village of Barèges is a cyclist's dream! Situated on the classic "Tour de France" route, Barèges sits below the legendary "Col du Tourmalet" - one of the most memorable Pyrenean climbs of the Tour. From the pretty village of Ste. Mairie de Campan (en-route from the Vallee d'Aure and the Col d'Aspin), ascend past traditional mountain farms and steep wooded hillsides to the ski station of La Mongie, at the foot of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, then to the col at 2115m. Take in the spectacular views, North to the towering Pic du Midi and the observatory, East into the valley of La Mongie, South to the Pic d'Espade and the wild toothed-ridges of the Quatre Termes massif, and West to the Bastan valley and the village of Barèges. The descent to the village is an incredible 865m, but it doesn't stop there. Another exhilarating drop of around 400m takes you to the historic tourist town of Luz-St Sauveur, well known for its thermal baths, fortified Templars church and massive ice-creams.

The TOUR DE FRANCE will be passing through Bareges on the 14th July

From Luz there are three further fantastic Pyrenees cycling routes. Climb South to the incredible "Cirque de Gavarnie" at the Spanish frontier, West on the Luz-Ardiden ski road past lovely stone villages and ancient watermills, or descend North through the narrow Pierrefitte gorge beside the roaring "Gave de Pau" river. On your way to the magnificent spa town of Argeles-Gazost there is an optional ascent to the Hautacam ski station. This is a challenging climb through pretty perched villages and with panoramic views into the Argeles basin. From Argeles the Tour route continues into the beautiful "Val d'Azun", with its rolling pasture and flower-filled villages. The climb takes you 7km at an average gradient of 8%, to the "Col de Soulor" at 1474m. From the col you can re-descend to the town of Argeles, via the "Col de Spandelles" and the wild Bergons valley, or continue by the "Col d’Aubisque" via the ski station of Gourette into the neighbouring department of Béarn.

Pyrenees Cycling Holidays

Our Pyrenees cycling holidays are custom packages tailored to your particular aims and interests. From our village base in Barèges, we provide accommodation and catering, road support and transfers around the area. While you tick-off the cols, you will also have the chance to discover the local food and wines of the area and find out about the history and culture of the mountain people. The Spring and Autumn seasons are best for cycling in the Pyrenees, with cooler temperatures and fewer tourists on the roads. In Spring (June/July) the routes are quiet, and lined with wild flowers and the meadows dotted with animals on their way up to the Summer pasture. In Autumn (October), the mountains are again a peaceful haven of snow-capped peaks and bright coloured leaves. As year-round English residents of the Pyrenees we are keen to share our local knowledge and love of the mountains.

We are timetabling a special week for cyclists during Tour week: 12th-19th July .... Book early to secure your place for this year's Tour week!

Tour de France - a special week 12-19th July

**The Tour de France will be passing through Bareges on the 14th July**

Next year's 2008 Tour de France route includes five high mountain stages, two of which are right here on our doorstep in the Pyrenees. Perfect for cyclists and spectators alike, we will be ideally placed to view the finish of the first Pyrenean stage, Toulouse - Bagneres de Bigorre, on Sunday the 13th July. Bagneres is just a short drive (or good ride!) away in our neighbouring valley.

On Monday 14th July, the Pau-Hautacam stage, the cyclists will pass through Bareges on their way down from the Col du Tourmalet. Cycle up to the Col yourself, linger in the village or cycle up to Hautacam, just North of Bareges, to watch the stage finish, but make sure you're back in Bareges for an evening of Bastille Day celebrations - it should be quite a party!

After a rest day in Pau, the following stage, on the 16th July, departs from Lannemezan and finishes at Foix - also within driving distance .

Our two closest Pyrenean stages:

	Date	Sunday 13th July
	Start	Toulouse
	Finish	Bagneres de Bigorre
	High point	Col de Peyresourde 1569m
	Distance	222km
	Date	Monday 14th July
	Start	Pau
	Finish	Hautacam
	High point	Col du Tourmalet 2115m
	Distance	154km

Official Tour de France site: http://www.letour.fr/

Mountainbug supported Tour de France special 2008

Saturday 12th - Saturday 19th July

A week of cycling the classic cols, based around this year's Tour de France mountain stages, and including the opportunity to view two finishes and one start.

This trip is aimed at keen cyclists looking for the opportunity to view some of the most memorable moments of the Tour de France 2008 mountain stages, and to experience the exhilaration of riding the classic cols for themselves. The week of rides will take in the Col du Tourmalet, Hautacam ski station, Col d'Aspin, Gavarnie and the Col de Tentes, the Col du Soulor and the Col d'Aubisque.

Our itinerary for 2008 is based around the Tour de France stages 9, 10 and 11 in the Pyrenees. We are based for the week in the mountain village of Bareges - well-known to cyclists as the last staging post before the legendary Col du Tourmalet - the highest road pass in the Pyrenees at 2115m. For the majority of our rides, we cycle direct from the village, although on some days minibus transfers are provided at the beginning or end of the day.

This will be a challenging week, and you need to have a reasonable level of fitness or pre-training. The rides are not a race however, and you will have plenty of time to complete each stage at your own pace. There are optional extra ascents throughout the week for very keen riders, and road-support is available throughout for mechanical assistance, morale-boosting and lifts should they be required.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided at our lovely 3-star mountain guesthouse; in the heart of the traditional village of Bareges and close to all the local shops, bakery, bars and restaurants. We offer a high standard of service - spacious rooms, en-suite bathrooms and delicious meals with generous portions. The house has an equipment room, sauna, dining room, spacious lounge with bar, CD and big-screen home cinema, and a sunny patio garden with mountain views.

The price includes your accommodation in en-suite bedrooms, generous continental breakfasts, afternoon tea & cake and delicious three course evening meals. You also have use of the house sauna, equipment room, dining room, spacious lounge with bar, CD player, books, games and big-screen home cinema. We have a sunny patio garden with mountain views - perfect for a cold beer and a barbecue after a hard day out!

Also included are five days guided cycling with route maps, road support and local transfers.

Mountain Biking Pyrenees - tracks and trails

Based in the village of Barèges, in the high Pyrenees at 1250m, we are in the heart of mountain biking country. Our Pyrenees biking holidays are custom packages tailored to your particular aims and interests. From our village house we provide accommodation and catering, road support and transfers around the area. While you explore the mountain tracks and trails, you will also have the chance to discover the local food and wines of the area and find out about the history and culture of the mountain people. The difficulty of the local routes varies from easy riding on dirt 4x4 tracks, to steep, technical descents on single-track switchbacks. You may like to stay in the local area for a week, or take advantage of our transfer service and explore different areas of the Pyrenees on different days. Either way, your rides will take in shady forest trails, open pastureland and historical stone villages (great places to stop for an icecream!). Our favourite times of year for mountain biking in the Pyrenees are Spring (June/July), when the quiet trails are lined with wild flowers and the meadows are dotted with animals, and Autumn (October), when the mountains are a peaceful haven of snow-capped peaks and bright coloured leaves. As year-round English residents of the Pyrenees we are keen to share our local knowledge and love of the mountains. We do not lead our mountain biking trips, but will suggest a detailed itinerary and describe the routes for you.

Cycling Pyrenees / Biking Pyrenees - Prices and Dates:

Vehicle support is available for back-up and transfers around the area for our "Cycling Pyrenees" and "Mountain Biking Pyrenees" holidays. Please contact us for a quote on any Pyrenean routes. We recommend early booking for tour week.