Overview
Our HighRoad Pyrenees bike tour takes you on the cycling road less traveled through the unrivaled, pastoral beauty of France’s second great mountain range. The Pyrenees are even more steeped in cycling history than the Alps, having hosted the Tour de France for well over 100 years. Tourmalet, Aspin, Aubisque, Peyresourde are mythic cols with legendary stories being added every year.
The Pyrenees are different in character from the French Alps, too; with much of the central range being a National Park, we ride through unspoiled nature, dotted with rustic villages and lively spa towns. But your HighRoad Pyrenees tour is no outback camping trip! We have scoured the range for excellent hotels and quality restaurants serving fresh, local cuisine. After a day on the bike in the high mountains, you deserve the comforts of home.
Your cycling tour starts in the central Hautes Pyrénées, crossing the range in a westerly direction to finish in the bustling resort town of St. Jean de Luz, on the Bay of Biscay. Like our other HighRoad tours, once you arrive in the mountains, you will be riding your bike and not sitting in a van: after your airport pick-up there are no more transfers till you fly back home.
HighRoad Pyrenees is one of our ‘Hors Catégorie’ cycling tours, which are reserved for strong riders who can handle multiple days of long distances and sustained, steep gradients.
Total Tour Distance: 500 km
Total Climbing: 12,200 m
INCLUDED
Tour Price
- Double occupancy: €3900
- Single Supplement: €650
- Deposit: €500 per person
Accommodation and Dining
- 7 nights accommodation
- All breakfasts, lunches and 6 dinners (including wine)
- Energy bars, gels, snacks and water on your rides
Support
- Pick-up and drop-off at Toulouse Airport
- All ground transport
- All baggage transfers
- Owner-operator guides to see to your needs
- Maps and elevation profiles of each day’s route
- Support van that will be on the road with you, offering assistance, encouragement, and nutrition
- 44|5 Cycling Tours jersey and water bottle
NOT INCLUDED
- Transportation to France
- Alcohol outside meals
- Hotels before and after your tour
- Personal expenses, such as mini-bars, telephone or souvenir purchases
- Bikes (we can arrange for rentals)
Day to Day
A typical day on your Pyrenees bike tour begins with a healthy buffet breakfast, followed by a ride in this legendary cycling region. Most rides will end back at your hotel (or the next one along the route) for a post-effort lunch. However, on longer days in the saddle it will be a picnic lunch on the road. You will always have a few hours in the afternoon to relax and explore your surroundings before we meet for a dinner of delicious local fare.
Transfer to Hotel and Afternoon Ride.
Ride: Col de Peyresourde Loop. Approximately 65 km and 1700 m of ascent.
Ride: To Argèles Gazost via Hourquette d’Ancizan and Col du Tourmalet. Approximately 87 km and 2200 m of ascent.
Ride: Hautacam. Approximately 47 km and 1350 m of ascent.
Ride: To Larrau via the Col de Soulor, Col d’Aubisque, Col du Marie Blanque. Approximately 120 km and 2800 m of ascent.
Ride: Col de Suscousse, Col de Soudet, Col de la Pierre St Martin. Approximately 70 km and 1800 m of ascent.
Ride: To St. Jean de Luz via the Col de Bagargi, Col d’Ispeguy. Approximately 115 km and 2350 m of ascent.
Departures
Accommodations
44|5 has chosen your accommodation for the best mix of comfort, cycling services and ride availability. You’re always within walking distance of village centers, restaurants, bike shops and other necessities.
Hotel Sensoria
Located in the unique and unspoilt village of St. Lary, deep in the Pyrenees, the Sensoria Hotel offers the cyclist a warm welcome and top notch facilities, including a thermal spa and fitness center. After your rides you can enjoy a drink in the hotel garden, with beautiful views of the mountains.
Le Miramont
Built in 1930, Le Miramont Hotel has been recently renovated to its former Art Deco glory. This 3-star hotel is centrally located in Argèles-Gazost with views of the mountains and a garden outside to relax and stretch your legs. The Pucheu family promises you excellent service and the restaurant serves wonderful dishes, dreamed up by the head chef (the owner’s son) according to the season and what’s fresh at the market.
Hotel Etchemaïté
Housed in a rambling village house in Larrau, this 3-start hotel has been in the Etchemaïté family for 3 generations. The rooms are comfortable and modern and the village is a very pretty example of Basque architecture and atmosphere (there’s a Basque pelota court right across the street). Chef Pierre Etchemaïté and his team in the kitchen produce gourmet meals from quality local ingredients, served in a dining room with a gorgeous view over the valley below.
La Reserve
This 4-star hotel sits right on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, a short walk away from the center of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a popular resort town on the famous Basque Coast. The hotel has large grounds, great views of the Bay of Biscay and a relaxing resort atmosphere.
Dates & Prices
Tour Dates – July 13-20, 2024
Tour Availability – Places Available
Price Per Person – €3900
Single Supplement – €650
Not the best date for you? Contact us to create a custom trip.
If you looking for a Pyrenees cycling tour but perhaps a little less challenging, try our HighRoad Pyrenees-Girona.
Travel Details
Arrival Airport – Toulouse (TLS)
Pick-up Point – Airport: Noon
Departure Airport – Toulouse (TLS)
Flight Time – Book a flight out for early afternoon or later
We advise arriving a night before the tour and staying either at a hotel airport or in Toulouse itself. The ‘Pink City’ (La Ville Rose) is a vibrant town with one of the oldest universities in France, an old city center that is a joy to explore, and some great restaurants. It would be well worth a day or two on either end of your tour.
Gallery
What our Guests have to say about the HighRoad Pyrenees bike tour
Great Conversations, too
Once again thanks so much guys. Everybody had a great time and as always you do a great job with routes, hotels, meals and ride support. And great conversations too. Let’s all hope for a big 44|5 year in… Read more “Great Conversations, too”
Richard - USA
Pyrenees…the best
Our group just finished 44-5’s Highroad Pyrenees tour. I was one of a number of participants who felt it was the best weeklong tour we’ve ever been on. The combination of spectacular, cycling friendly terrain, a great route, no shuttles necessary and John and Gerry’s care was unbeatable. My bike touring experiences include trips in… Read more “Pyrenees…the best”
Russel - USA
Absolutely Perfect
I have done three one-week bicycling tours with John and Gerry from 44/5 cycling tours. All three were absolutely fantastic. 2 years ago we went from Briancon in the Southern Alps south to Nice. Last year from Luchon in the Pyrenees to the Atlantic. This year the Cevenne. All three routes were challenging and breathtakingly… Read more “Absolutely Perfect”
Scott - USA