Pyrenean Traverse

July 2025

A fantastic and challenging route through the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, loosely following the 'Raid Touriste' route but without the time limitations. The harder 'Raid Pyrenean' has a 100 hour time limit and the 'Touriste' route is gentler although a little longer. All of the famous climbs are there including the Tourmalet, Aubisque, Peyresourde, Marie Blanque, Aspin as well as some less well known but beautiful ones especially in the eastern section. The Pyrenees are generally less busy than the Alps and equally beautiful, with great road surfaces and some top class descents to enjoy. This is an itinerary that most cyclists will have on their bucket list and we are there to help you achieve it and enjoy it, with our excellent roadside support, comfortable hotels and great food (lots of it!).

The daily elevation profiles are shown below (as with any two people on the same ride, our figures and the elevation figures vary slightly).

Highlights include:

Atlantic to Med along one of Europe's great natural boundaries
Beautiful unspoilt countryside with excellent road surfaces
As much descending as ascending (17622m / 17581m)!
Ride 23 named cols in the tyre tracks of Tour de France legends including all the big ones
Fantastic long descents, many into the teens (miles)
Wonderful support and encouragement throughout including frequent water and cake stops
Comfortable hotels and plenteous food
8 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast
4 evening meals
Option to receive the official certificate and medal from the Cyclo Club Bearnaise by completing a short prologue and epilogue to our route.

Your Next Adventure Awaits

What you need to know...

Start Location
St Jean de Luz, France

Finish Location
Collioure, France

Country/Region
South West France

Grading
Hors Categorie

Shortest Day
55 miles / 87km

Longest Day
81 miles / 130km

Total Days
9 days (7 riding)

Total Miles
487 miles / 779km

Departure Dates & Prices

Month	Dates	Tour Price	Single Supplement*	Bike Hire From	Enquire	Book
July 2025	12th to 20th July 2025	12/7/25 to 20/7/25	£1,995	£495		Check Availability	Book Now

*A single supplement is only payable if you would like a guaranteed room to yourself. If you are happy to share with another traveller of the same gender, no supplement is payable.

Day 2

After the obligatory photos we head off inland towards the mountains. You will have seen them already and will have a great sense of anticipation of what is to come. Ride at your own pace and savour this special experience!. The first 'col' (mountain pass) comes swiftly but is only 169m - a great warm up at under two miles and a good one to get under the belt and settle the nerves before the bigger stuff comes! Then it's on to St Jean Pied de Port for lunch and a steeper start to the next Col then a levelling off before the next push to 1,372m, a down and an up and arrival at our great hotel which has been welcoming us for years with its fantastic kitchen and superb setting. (72 miles / 115km, 2406m ascent / 1769m descent. Breakfast, dinner included).

Day 3

It's a straightfoward start with no climbing until a short one mile one at 18 miles then the Marie Blanque at 28 miles - roughly 6 miles where the gradient steps up gradually peaking at 13% and an altitude of 1035m. The descent is enjoyable and a good chance to gauge your technique on the downs before lunch to refuel for the wonderful Col d'Aubisque, a lovely climb with its cafe at the top and 'Tour de France' coloured oversized bikes - definately a photo opportunity to send to the folks back home as the first 'big one'. The Soulor comes next but is not massive from this direction as it comes not long after you start descending and is only 2km long. You can now relax knowing that the first 'big' day is done, and descend to our overnight hotel. Not the night for 3 brandies though as tomorrow beckons! (75 miles / 120km, 2636m ascent / 2801m descent. Breakfast, dinner included).

Day 4

Perhaps the King stage of the ride and after an hour you'll be on the lower slopes of the mighty Tourmalet. There's no hiding on this one but chip away and you'll get there, spurred on by the painting on the road encouraging Tour de France heroes and the wonderful scenery and camaraderie of the other riders you'll pass (or who may pass you). Everyone is there to conquer the hill, whatever their speed, and it's a great atmosphere at the top when you've done it! There's a cafe at the top (2115m) and another memorable descent passing under the chair lifts of the ski station. Then a brief flattish section before the beautiful Aspin - still a decent climb but one that won't intimidate you after your morning ride. Arreau is a very pretty small town, ideal for lunch, before you tackle the second big one of the day in the shape of the Peyresourde; another beautiful climb and more open than some and without any very steep sections. Topping out at 1569m it's then a 15 mile descent to the hotel (68 miles /109km, 3231m ascent / 3141m descent. Breakfast included).

Day 5

From the centre of town we take a northerly route to avoid going into Spain and a busier road, before the lesser known Col du Mente (1349m), approximately 6 miles long. There's a cafe at the top before a 7 mile descent to recover in time for the Portet d'Aspet (1069m) and the memorial to Fabio Casartelli, the 1992 Olympic road race champion who died in a crash on the descent here in the Tour de France in 1995. Many riders like to pause and pay their respects to this young man who died doing what we love. The descent at 12 miles is far longer than the ascent and is very pretty and enjoyable, after which it is a flat run home to our hotel in a former mansion. (72 miles / 115km, 2930m ascent / 3066m descent. Breakfast, dinner included).

Day 7

The first ten miles are the busiest of the ride but after that you are once more onto quiet climbs, the first of which (1361m) is quiet and gentle in gradient, with long views down the valley. A mini second climb is tagged onto the first gaining another 70m, before a descent to the start of the last high col of the tour, the Pailheres (2001m), up above the ski station. It's a cracking descent - long, quiet and beautifully surfaced and devoid of anything except the odd cow whose bells you hear clanging evocatively. After lunch there are a couple of 2-3 milers, then the longer Col du Jau, again beautifully quiet (1506m) and an exceptionally pretty descent to our overnight stop. (81 miles / 130km, 3259m ascent / 3399m descent. Breakfast included).

Day 8

The last riding day and despite the work you have done in the last week you will find it easy as emotionally you know you have completed this epic ride! The minor Col du Palomeres (1036m) will not cause any problems, neither will the lumpier 'corniche' (coastal road) as you arrive at the Mediterranean. Naturally it's busier here but cyclists are well catered for with quieter cycle lanes and routes and we dip our toes in the sea at Collioure, well known and much frequented by artists for its prettiness and old fortress on the harbour. It's another two miles beyond here to our hotel with time for a dip in the palm-fringed pool before a celebratory dinner overlooking the harbour and open sea beyond. (64 miles / 103km, 1354m ascent / 1659m descent. Breakfast, dinner included). There is the option to ride on to Cerbere (c.10 miles) for those who want the official certificate.