Guided cycling weeks
Guided cycling – road biking holidays in the Pyrenees
Come and cycle the classic cols of the Tour de France in the Pyrenees. We can provide on-bike guiding and or road support to take in famous col roads and link them up with expert local knowledge. Our daily guiding fee applies with transport possible for up to 8 riders.
A classic col bagging week is challenging, with rides taking in Tour de France HC summit finishes such as the Col du Tourmalet, Aspin and Peyresourde, as well as Luz-Ardiden and Hautacam ski station. There’s also the lesser known yet stunning rides in the National Park up in Gavarnie (UNESCO world heritage site) and the Col de Tentes 2200m (highest paved road in the Pyrenees) and the sublime Cirque de Troumouse.
Our group at the top pf the Hautacam climb
Saturday – Arrival at the accommodation of your choice (we are happy to suggest some great options)
After check-in, you have a free afternoon to prepare your kit, explore the local area and go over the weeks plan with your guide.
Sunday – Tour of the valley > Hautacam > Villelongue
Today you will cycle a 60km circuit, enjoying the mountain foothills of the Hautacam valley. The Tour passes through here every few years.
We’ll leave straight after breakfast, so you can head down the mountain, following the passage of the river as you head out of the valley.
After enjoying some relative flat, we then begin our 1635m climb at Hautacam, then heading back via the villages of the beautiful Lavedan valley of rivers.
This day has a variety of terrain for you to enjoy and allows you to trace some of the famous Tour routes coming in to the Vallee de Barèges.
Monday – The classic Tourmalet circuit
Today’s classic route follows part of the 2008 Etape and Tour de France route. It’s a great ride through stunning scenery.
This morning we leave Barèges to tackle the classic circuit of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, taking in the best-known climb of them all – the Col du Tourmalet.
You’ll do the 2115m climb up to the top of the Col du Tourmalet and then enjoy the descent. With 98km cycling to do today, this route is one to remember.
Tuesday – Ste. Marie de Campan > Aspin > Peyregudes
Today we cover at least 43km with the option of doing more, and ascend Peyregudes at 1600m, one of the Tour de France 2012 stage finishes.
Depending on how much you wish to do, we will either leave Barèges and cycle up the Col du Tourmalet, or your minibus will transfer you to the east side of the Col. From there, we cycle to Aspin and then the Col de Peyresourde sight of the many TDF finishes.
There is then the option of cycling back or taking the mini-bus transfer.
Wednesday – Free day
Today you can rest, hike, paraglide, raft, cave, canyon…Or we can advise you on other local routes to tackle including: , Borderes, Soulor/Aubisque, Cambasque, Luz Ardiden, Tourmalet, Aspin, Col des Tentes, Hourquette d’Arcizans, Cirque de Troumouse, Hautacam…
Thursday – Barèges > Pau
At 1709m, the Col d’Aubisque is today high point during our 108km ride. This is a long but worthwhile day tracing the traditional route of the Tour de France, ending at Pau.
We leave the village with 25km of downhill to Argeles, then begin the day’s climb to the cols of Soulor and Aubisque, before dropping into the Ossau valley.
We’ll jubilantly enter Pau, where the option of a minibus transfer awaits us.
Friday – Barèges > Luz-Ardiden
A multiple Tour de France stage finish. It’s a short, but tough ride taking in a mountain top finish – a stiff climb with great views. Lots of options to extend in the Pays Toy if you have the legs and the motivation, or time to soak up the surroundings in a nice bar in Luz st Sauveur.
This morning we head up to Luz St-Sauveur and then begin the climb up the Luz-Ardiden.
At 1680m, this 2011 stage finish, is a short, sharp ride but an excellent introduction to road cycling here in the French High Pyrenees.
After you have tackled this col, there is an optional afternoon ascent to the UNESCO site of Gavarnie 1350m, or 2200m at the Col des Tentes.
Saturday – Departure
Time to leave – with aching muscles and a few more km on your bike’s clock.
Cycling dates & prices
The highest Cols (Passes), such as the Tourmalet are usually open from mid to late June, as the snows clear, with the lowers passes open from May time. Conditions remain good until Mid Ocotber, cycling in the mountains in mid-summer is also not a problem with the altitude giving natural cooling the higher and harder you push. We are a great base for many of the classic passes such as Tourmalet, Apsin, Luz, Ardiden, Col d’Aspin, Cols du Soulor and Aubisque etc.
We also offer bespoke cycling holidays, where we can tailor-make an itinerary for a group of 4 or more. These dates aren’t advertised as it depends when you’d like to come, so please contact us for more details.
Local bike hire costs from around 120€ per week.
Other options for road biking in the french PryeneesChoose your cycling holiday dates, then contact us to book or for more information.