Trans Pyrenees

We kick off our week in the Pyrenees with 2 iconic climbs. The ride starts with the Col de Val Louron-Azet, a magnificent climb with spectacular views of the highest peaks in the Pyrenees on the border between France and Spain. From Val Louron you’ll descend to Avajan and the beginning of the iconic Col de Peyresourde, one of the climbs with the most appearances in the Tour de France. (It’s been included in the Tour route over 50 times!) Make sure you try the crepes from the local creperie at the summit before riding back to the hotel.

After your introduction to the Pyrenees yesterday, today you’ll ride the most famous of all Pyreneen climbs – the legendary Col du Tourmalet.

Setting out from the hotel your first challenge is in the form of the Category 1, Col d’Aspin. The descent of the Aspin takes you to Ste Marie de Campan and the start of the Tourmalet. Don’t be fooled by the gentle slopes of the first few km, it won’t be long until you’ll be seeing a lot of grades in double digits. Enjoy a snack at the famous cafe on the summit before heading down to Luz St Sauveur and along the along the valley to the next hotel.

Another spectacular Pyreneen ride today featuring one of the most spectacular roads in the Pyrenees, the Cirque du Litor. From the hotel enjoy the first 15km of flat roads to Argeles-Gazost. In Argeles, the road points upwards as you head for the Col de Soulor and the Col d’Aubisque. The stretch of road between the Soulor and the Aubisque runs along the ridge of the Cirque du Litor and offers some of the most stunning views in the Pyrenees!

The highlight of today’s ride is no doubt the Col de la Pierre St Martin. With an elevation gain of 1500m over a distance of 24km, the Pierre St Martin is close to the Tourmalet in overall difficulty level and last featured as a summit finish in the 2015 Tour de France when Chris Froome was first over the finish line. The Pierre St Martin also marks the border between France and Spain, so you’ll be descending into the Spanish province of Navarra, hot-bed of Spanish cycling and birthplace of Miguel Indurain, 5-times winner of the Tour de France.

On today’s ride you’ll cross the Spanish/French border a couple of times as the route winds its way through the best of the French and Spanish Pyrenees. You’ll start the day with a short (25km) transfer from the hotel to the start of the ride in Aribe and the start of the climb to the Puerto de Azpegi, which takes you across the border into France for the first time. From the border enjoy the long descent to the town of St Jean Pied de Port, one of the main starting points for the Way of St James (Camino de Santiago). The short and stunning Col d’Ispeguy takes you back into Spain before the final descent to our hotel in Elgorriaga and the end of a magnificent day on the bike.

A fantastic ride to end the trip through the Spanish Basque Country, the mecca of Spanish cycling. Four categorised climbs on the agenda culminating in the iconic Jaizkibel climb with it’s views of the cliffs and Atlantic Ocean that form this stunning section of the Basque coastline.

Unfortunately, your trip across the Pyrenees has come to an end.

Our shuttle will drop you off at Bilbao Airport.