You will be cycling for between six and eight hours each day but this is not a race! This is a group trip and we like to cycle as such, the pace will be determined by your Cycle Leader.
You must be an experienced cyclist who cycles regularly and maintains a good level of bike fitness. There are significant climbs throughout the Pyrenees Coast to Coast that will require stamina, bike fitness and technical ability on descents.
We can provide you with a training plan, please contact us on info@moreadventure.co.uk.
A link to our trip grades that explains in depth our star rating is here: www.moreadventure.co.uk/cycling-grades
Itinerary
Day 1: Bilbao to Hendaye (0 miles)
The Pyrenees Coast to Coast begins at Bilbao airport where you’ll be met by the More Adventure team and transferred to our first hotel in Hendaye. Here we’ll build bicycles and have a trip briefing before our first evening meal together. If you’ve decided to take advantage of our bicycle transfer service, this is also when you’ll also be reunited with your bicycle.
Day 2: Hendaye to Oloron-Sainte-Marie
154km & 2100m⬆ / 96 miles & 6900ft⬆
We begin our journey in the popular tourist town of Hendaye where we’ll dip our wheels into the Atlantic Ocean before setting off northeast along the coast. After a useful warmup in the foothills to the east of the city, we continue inland into the mighty Pyrenean range. We gain height progressively with a few smaller climbs before Col d’Osquich which at just under 500 metres is the perfect introduction to the climbs to come. From here we continue through the mountains, eventually following the river Vert to our hotel at Oloron-Sainte-Marie.
Day 3: Oloron-Sainte-Marie – Luz-Saint-Sauveur
112km & 3100m⬆ / 70miles & 10000ft⬆
Today begins gently as we follow Le Gave d’Aspe river south to Escot which lies at the foot of our first climb of the day, Col de Marie Blanque (1035m). From the summit we descend via a number of switchbacks to the village of Bielle. After a short break, we tackle one of the most famous passes in the world, the Col d’Aubisque (1709m). The second most used climb in the Tour de France, this iconic 17km climb is an absolute must for every cyclist and is quite simply stunning. After some celebratory photos and a brief stop at the top, we descend via the Col Soulor (1475m) to our overnight stop at Luz-Saint-Sauveur.
Day 4: Luz-Saint-Sauveur to Bagneres-du-Luchon
97km & 3100m⬆ / 62miles & 10200ft⬆
Roads do not get any more famous than today, with three incredible passes through this beautiful mountain landscape. The mighty Col du Tourmalet is the most frequently used pass in the Tour de France and has hammered fear into many a rider’s heart since first being used in 1910. The ascent begins in Luz-Saint-Sauveur and it’s a stunning 19km stretch of tarmac, with impressive peaks towering over each pedal stroke. After many photos at the sign and a breather, we begin an exhilarating descent to a turn off at Sainte-Marie-de-Campan. Here begins our second main climb of the day, Col D’Aspin (1489m). Another regular in the Tour de France, Col D’Aspin is 12.8km and will seem a great deal easier than the previous climb! From the summit we have a long descent to Arreau for our third and final climb of the day – Col de Peyresourde (1569m) before an exciting descent to the famous town of Bagneres-du-Luchon. What a day!
Day 5: Bagneres-du-Luchon to Tarascon-sur-Ariège
141 km & 2400m⬆ / 88miles & 7900ft⬆
The longest day begins with a descent to the river at Chaum. Here we begin our first climb, Col d’Ares (1513m) before descending via a smaller climb Col de Buret (602m) to Razecuell. First used in 1910, our next climb the Col de Portet de Aspet (1069m) has been featured in the Tour de France over thirty times. We descend to the castle-adorned village of Castillon-en-Couserans where a well-earned coffee is most definitely in order. The next section of today’s ride is far more gentle as we follow the river Lez east. Our final climb of the day is the Col de Port (1249m) which starts relatively gently as we leave the Couserans Valley. The road clings to the valley side and steepens slightly in the last ten kilometres before a long and thrilling descent to our overnight stop at Tarascon.
Day 6: Tarascon-sur-Ariège to Prades
135km & 2800m⬆ / 85miles & 9500ft⬆
We begin the day with a climb up to Pas de Solombre through a small valley just to the north of L’Ariege river. We’ll soon reach the Col de Marmare (1361m) followed by a long descent to Axat and our low point of the day at 400 metres. From here we begin another classic climb of the Pyrenees, the Col de Jau (1506m), a relatively straightforward 17.9km climb with an average gradient of 6.7%. We’re rewarded by an incredible descent to Prades, our overnight stop before the final day tomorrow.
Day 7: Prades to Collioure
75km & 450m⬆ / 47miles & 1500ft⬆
Today will seem like a breeze compared to the previous five days as we leave the mountains and cross the plains just south of Perpignan. We leave Prades and ride alongside the Lac de Vinca before heading southeast, trending down towards the Mediterranean sea. You’ll be able to smell the sea air as we cross over the river Massane and approach Argeles-sur-Mer. Our destination is the pretty seaside town of Coillioure – congratulations you made it, you’ve completed the Pyrenees Coast to Coast and cycled from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea! It’s time for a meal and a few drinks to celebrate!
Day 8: Collioure to Barcelona airport
Today is the final day of the trip and after breakfast you’ll be transferred to Barcelona airport for your flights home. More Adventure will provide transfers to Barcelona airport today for flights specified in the Joining Instructions. It is of course possible to stay on in Barcelona but it is your responsibility to book accommodation for after the trip has ended.
This trip is based upon twin sharing. The single room supplement for this trip is £355 and this can be added upon booking.
FAQs
Is this the Raid Pyrenean?
The official Raid Pyrenean is a timed bike challenge that is overseen by the Cyclo-Club Béarnais. Riders must complete a 720km route in under 100 hours after which they are given a certificate and medal upon successful completion. We wanted to create a slightly more relaxed route, it’s still a massive challenge and traverses the width of the Pyrenees, but didn’t want to confuse anyone by calling it the Raid Pyrenean.
Can I stay on after the event in Barcelona?
Of course, a couple of days in Barcelona could be the perfect way to relax after the trip! We will drop you off in Barcelona airport with the rest of the group from which it's relatively straightforward to make your way to the city, you will however need to book transport and accommodation once the trip ends at the airport.
How much is the single room supplement?
The single room supplement is £355 and this can be added upon booking the trip.
I will be flying from a different airport so will the transfers still be available?
Please contact us with the flight times you think you'll be arriving on. We'll then advise on the best course of action.
We would like to fly from Manchester, is this possible?
Yes. There's currently an Easyjet flight from Manchester to Bilbao that leaves at 14:50 and arrives in Bilbao at 17:00. The return flight from Barcelona to Manchester with Ryanir departs at 15:55 and arrives at 17:35.
How does the bicycle transfer service work?
The bicycle transfer is a door-to-door bicycle and luggage transfer service. Basically a few days before the trip begins your bicycle and main piece of luggage will be picked up from an agreed address at a specific time slot and driven to the start point of the trip. At the end of the trip they will be returned to an agreed address a couple of days after the trip ends. The price will depend upon how many others in the group require the service and where your pickup point is, it is however usually cheaper than hiring a bike box, checking your bike box onto the plane and the logistics of getting your bike to the airport. You do not need a bike box and your bicycle will not need to be dismantled. It saves you a lot of hassle and time, and allows you to fly with hand luggage only!
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