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St. Jean de Luz, France | Girona, Spain
St. Jean-de-Luz to Puerto de Otxondo to St. Jean-Pied-de-Port
Approximately 47 miles with 5,500 feet of climbing
You can choose to either meet your guides between 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM on the day before your trip starts at the hotel or wait until the first meeting day for a custom bike fit before your first day's ride from the belle époque seaside resort town of St. Jean-de-Luz, France. Inhale a deep breath of salty Atlantic air and dip your toes (or maybe your front tire!) ceremoniously in the cool ocean waters to christen your trip before jumping into today’s Pays Basque ride. Your ride today is 60% in France, 40% in Spain & 100% in the Basque country! The climb begins from the coast and ascends through green pastures dotted with sheep, mountain goats, and signature white Basque farmhouses. You’ll feast on a mountaintop Trek Travel picnic lunch before continuing on to your hotel for the night. Tonight, your guides will host a rousing round of introductions over drinks with your fellow travelers followed by a hearty dinner in the ancient mountain town of St. Jean-Pied-de-Port.
St. Jean-Pied-de-Port to Cette-Eygun
Approximately 64 miles with 11,150 feet of climbing
Today you’ll ride from the foothills into the mighty Pyrenees. Begin with a climb up the Col de Burdincurutcheta, a popular bird migration viewpoint in September and October. As you summit this first climb, keep your eyes peeled for wood pigeons, honey buzzards and cranes. You’ll ride through the largest broadleaf forest in Europe, en route to Col d’Iraty and your first "hors catégorie" climb, Col de Soudet. You'll be surrounded by vast gorges and quaint pastoral villages where sheep cheese production is the main source of work and income. Enjoy lunch at the café of your choice today, giving you flexibility to ride at your own pace along the Route du Fromage and explore this remote Basque country. You’ll reconvene with the rest of the group for dinner at your hotel deep in the Vallée d’Aspe.
Cette-Eygun to Saint-Savin
Approximately 61 miles with 9,100 feet of climbing
From your hotel you'll ride down the Vallée d’Aspe this morning to cross over to the Vallée d’Ossau, as you continue your journey into the Hautes-Pyrénées. If you're lucky, as you climb through the old beechwood forests to Col de Marie-Blanque you may see one of the six recently reintroduced brown bears. Later you'll also pass the Neoclassical spa town of Eaux-Bonnes which offers an ideal place to stop for lunch before the next two historic and challenging climbs. This afternoon, you’ll tackle two legendary ascents—Col d’Aubisque and Col du Soulor. You’ll climb Aubisque from the ‘hard’ side which starts out relatively easy until after the Cascade de Valentin where you’ll be confronted by thigh-burning 13% grades. If the riding doesn't take your breath away, the the stunning views on a clear day certainly will! Later on, enjoy a long descent to the hotel near Argelès-Gazost, to swap stories with your new cycling friends over a well-earned gourmet French feast.
Saint-Savin to Bagnères-de-Luchon
Approximately 68 miles with 11,150 feet of climbing
Prepare for climbing today on the biggest day of elevation gain on the trip! You’ll climb Col du Tourmalet, Col d’Aspin & Col de Peyresourde, three of the five climbs that have been regularly featured in the Tour de France, where many have tried but only the strongest survived. You’ll begin your day with a warm-up in the Gorge de Luz, en route to Col du Tourmalet, the highest pass traversable by a vehicle and home of the largest ski area in the Pyrenees. After an exhilarating descent, climb again to the cow-grazing peak of Col d’Aspin and swoop down to Arreau, the former capital of ancient Aragon. Arreau enjoys an almost rainless micro-climate in the shadow of these large mountains. You have the freedom to challenge these peaks at your own pace, stopping for lunch in any of these mountain villages when you choose. The final climb is more gradual up to Col de Peyresourde, before zipping down into Bagnères-de-Luchon for a hearty meal and a cozy bed.
Rest Day
Bagnères-de-Luchon
It's rest day today - and an opportunity to relax, recuperate and charge your batteries for the rest of the trip. Relax in Bagnères-de-Luchon as you soak your aches and pains away at a mountain spa and maybe take a visit to the "thermes" and warm-up your muscles in the Vaporarium—a one-of-a-kind natural underground steam bath. Work out any kinks with an indulgent massage and then enjoy the swimming pool at your leisure. Your Trek Travel guides have a menu of other activities for an afternoon of fun—rafting, kayaking, caving, climbing and hiking are just a few of the options. If you're interested there's also the opportunity to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the region as you "parapente" back down the mountain! Whatever you decide, this is your day to do as little - or as much - as you want.
Bagnères-de-Luchon to Sort
Approximately 66 miles with 7,800 feet of climbing
Today you'll say "au revoir" to France and "hola" as you head into Spain! You’ll enter the Val d’Aran from atop the wooded Col du Portillon. This valley is on the French side of the Pyrenean watershed but - under Spanish rule - was cut-off from the outside world for centuries. Your biggest challenge of the day is Puerto de la Bonaigua: a category one climb and the highest mountain you’ll climb in Spain. A barren and broad landscape stretches before you as you wind your way down the valley to one of the premier whitewater rafting spots in Europe, La Noguera Pallaresa. You’ll end the day in the luckiest town in Spain, Sort ("luck" in Catalan). Sort attracts Spaniards from all over the country, who buy their lottery tickets here in hopes of becoming the next "El Gordo" winner. Tonight you’ll regroup in town with your traveling companions to enjoy some typical Catalan cuisine and "tapas."
Sort to Gósol
Approximately 65 miles with 9,600 feet of climbing
Enjoy your last big day of climbing on your trans-Pyrenees journey today. Starting with a category one pass, a regular climb of the Vuelta a España—Coll de Cantó. You'll then drop down to La Seu d’Urgell, where you may choose to have lunch along the river where the canoeing events of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics were held. Continue pedaling along quiet, beautiful roads in the Parc Natural del Cadí-Moixeró, a 250-square mile park which is too steep for skiing or agriculture and makes a perfect playground for thrill-seeking hikers and climbers. Alongside the roads here you'll also often see goat-like chamois precariously perched or maybe locals out foraging for mushrooms. End your day in Gósol, a remote town where Pablo Picasso once famously traveled in search of fresh inspiration. Tonight you'll savor a hearty dinner at a small local bistro in the town center before turning in for a refreshing alpine rest.
Gósol to Olot
Approximately 60 miles with 3,700 feet of climbing
Dive into the day and explore the many sights you pass on your ride through this intriguing and unique region of the Pyrenees. First up is the Pedraforca, a dramatic limestone outcropping reminiscent of the Matterhorn in Switzerland. The seemingly endless limestone façade is slowly replaced by organic volcanic hills as you make your way to Olot, a town at the heart of a region rich with natural beauty. Enjoy lunch along the way in Sant Joan de las Abadesses and stroll among the many historic remains including a Benedictine monastery and reconstructed 12th century bridge. Tonight relax and rest up before your final ride of the journey tomorrow, and your first glimpse of the Mediterranean Sea!
Olot to Platja d'Aro
Approximately 78 miles with 5,300 feet of climbing
Today the last exhilarating ride of your epic trans-Pyrenees adventure lies before you - so savor every moment! You’ll start by crossing La Vall d’en Bas, which hosted a 2005 Vuelta a España stage start, and cruise through the training ground that many professional cyclists use to jump-start their season. One last relatively small climb stands between you and your long awaited view of the brilliantly blue Mediterranean Sea. Your ride ends with a spectacular finale, winding along the rugged, beautiful Costa Brava to your hotel nestled right on the beach. Here, you'll ceremoniously conclude your ride by again dipping your tire in the sea. While overlooking the clear blue waters with your fellow riding companions, you’ll toast to your conquest of the Pyrenees with a traditional glass of “cava” from your hotel’s terrace while enjoying a farewell dinner overlooking the water as the sun sets behind the mighty jagged peaks you’ve just traveled.
Farewell
This last morning is yours to do as you please. Sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast overlooking the tranquil Mediterranean Sea, or take a walk along the sandy beach and enjoy the spray of the surf. You will say farewell to your guides at 10:00 AM at the hotel before shuttling to the Girona Train Station to continue on your next adventure.
Breakfast
We reward our guests with lower pricing and more dates to choose from the earlier you book. Rest assured, once you book, your price and date are guaranteed.
What is Single Occupancy?
Sometimes it’s more convenient and comfortable to have your own room while on vacation. We understand and that’s why we offer a Single Occupancy option. The additional price guarantees a private room all to yourself.
Every moment of a Trek Travel bike trip has more than you could have ever dreamed. More romance. More scenery. More choice. It's the little additions to every Trek Travel cycling vacation that make it truly special. And that’s how we help you create more memories. See more
Gratuities for your Trek Travel guides are not included in your trip price. We recommend tipping 7.5-10% of your trip price for the guide team. Local currency is preferred and unless you want to tip separately, guides will divide tips amongst themselves. Please tip your guides at your discretion, based on their level of professionalism, guest care and service.
Our itineraries are an approximation of our trips. Trek Travel strives to offer each and every guest a vacation of a lifetime on every trip. At times routes, hotels, activities, etc. listed here may change at the discretion of the trip designer or guides to improve the trip experience.
On all of our vacations, Trek Travel strives to find quiet, paved secondary roads or bike paths to experience a region; busy roads are avoided as much as possible. Pyrenees Sea to Sea is best suited for our Type 4 Riders. Our Trek Travel guides can also easily accommodate Type 3 Riders, who seek less mileage or fewer uphills, with a boost in the van. Type 4+ Riders will enjoy the extra mileage the avid route options offer. The terrain is mountainous and challenging, with sustained climbing in all kinds of weather. We’ll tackle rolling foothills as well as "hors catégorie" peaks, in the end, scaling the equivalent height of Mt. Everest—twice. Our highest point of the trip is Col du Tourmalet, just shy of 7000 feet. Roads will be winding, narrow, and steep at times, and rarely ever level. See Itinerary for specific daily ride distance and elevation options.
The weather varies considerably across the Pyrenees. The French side to the west is wetter, and the eastern Spanish slopes are much drier and warmer. The weather is generally stable in early September, but layering is recommended in any mountain climate, as things can change quickly. A wind/waterproof shell is a necessity. Tights, fleece pullovers, and synthetic layers are recommended.
This destination is best suited to guests who want to cycle every day. Because of the terrain and/or remoteness of the hotels and riding routes, there are few, if any, non-riding options available. If a non-rider wants to accompany a rider guest on this trip, they would need to spend many hours in the van and/or at the hotels on the trip. Due to this, we strongly discourage non-riders from this destination. As an alternative, call a Trek Travel Trip Consultant at 866.464.8735 for trip suggestions where more non-rider activities are available, such as:
If you’re going we’re going on almost all our trips. Trips with 1 guest booked are guaranteed to run. Some trips require a higher minimum number of guests to run and are not guaranteed until that number is reached.
In the event that a departure has low enrollment, we will notify guests at 60-90 days before departure to give the option to select a different date with more guests booked. Please do not reserve airfare before confirming your Trek Travel trip.
When a trip is booked, a guest confirmation letter is immediately sent out. One week prior to the trip start you will receive an email containing a trip start meeting location reminder and any last minute information that you will need to know before your trip. Once you arrive at your destination Trek Travel staff will brief you on the day-to-day plan for the trip and provide you with daily route guides and a detailed map allowing you to ride with complete confidence and independence.
Please review our packing list page for more details.
We understand things happen in life and sometimes you have to cancel or change your bike tour. We want to make it as easy as possible to do so and below you will find our timeline. If you ever have a question, just give us a call, 866 464 8735. Read our cancellation policy.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Check out our General FAQs section. You will find answers to all the most common questions that don't necessarily pertain to a specific trip.
We suggest that you arrive at least one day prior to the trip start, which will enable you to adjust to the time zone and minimize the risk of missing the trip start due to flight-related delays. We recommend that you fly into Biarritz, France (BIQ) and take a taxi 9 miles south to our meeting point in St.Jean-de-Luz. Alternatively, fly into to Paris, France (CDG) and travel by TGV train 6 hours southwest to the St. Jean-de-Luz station, less than one mile from our meeting point. For train schedules and further information please consult www.RailEurope.com.
As the trip ends in the Costa Brava region of Spain, we recommend booking your return flight from Barcelona Airport (BCN). There are hourly trains from Girona to the downtown Barcelona Sants Station, and the trip takes about an hour. From the station, you can connect to the airport by a 20-minute train ride. For further information, consult www.RENFE.com.
Hotel La Reserve | St. Jean-de-Luz, France
Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at the Hotel La Reserve (1 Avenue Gaetan Bernoville , 64500 St Jean de Luz, France) at 10:00 AM on the first day of the trip. Please arrive wearing your first day's cycling clothes. Keep any other cycling gear (helmet, shoes, pedals, etc.) or personal items necessary for the day (purse, passport, wallet, etc.) in a small bag, separate from your luggage. After a brief round of introductions and a bike fitting, you'll begin your first ride through the Pays Basque. Alternatively, your guides will be at this trip start hotel between 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM on the previous day, where you can choose to meet them to be fit to your bike a day early.
If you will be late for the meeting time or are going to miss it altogether, please inform your guides. You will receive an email a week before the trip start with their names and contact details. If you cannot reach them, please call our first hotel, Hôtel les Pyrénées (+33 (0) 559 37 01 01), and leave a message with your expected arrival time and contact details. Trains leave 4 times daily from Bayonne (25 miles north of St. Jean-de-Luz) to St. Jean-Pied-de-Port. The journey will take 1 hour and 15 minutes and cost around 10 euros. Consult www.RailEurope.com for more information.
Girona Train Station | Girona, Spain
You will say farewell to your guides at 10:00 AM at the Park Hotel San Jorge. You'll then shuttle 1 hour to the Girona Train Station, arriving at approximately 11:00 AM. Please allow adequate time for any connecting travel to accommodate possible traffic delays.
Biarritz has been a holiday resort for many of the rich and famous, including Napoleon III, Hemingway, and Frank Sinatra. Follow in their footsteps by spending the afternoon at the Grande Plage - the largest beach - strolling through town, shopping, or pampering yourself at a local spa. Whatever you choose, make sure to stop at a Chocolaterie Henriet to enjoy a Rocher de Biarritz, a delicious bitter chocolate with orange rinds and almonds. Or join the surfers who come from all over the world to surf the ocean between Biarritz and St. Jean-de-Luz. Finish the day with an evening at the Casino de Biarritz. We recommend the following accommodations for your pre-trip hotel:
This charming hotel is surrounded by a park of 7 acres with large bay windows and terraces overlooking the sea. It also boasts a swimming pool and a chic restaurant serving inventive cuisine and the flavors of the Basque Country.
Pointe Sainte Barbe,1 Avenue Gaetan Bernoville St Jean-de-Luz, France | +33 (0) 559 51 32 00 | www.Hotel-Lareserve.com | ~$175
This three-star hotel is situated near the fishing port, in the center of Cité des Corsaires, 5 minutes from the beach and restaurants.
3, Blvd de Commandant Passicot , St. Jean-de-Luz, France | +33 (0)5 59 26 31 99 | www.HotelColbertSaintJeanDeLuz.com | ~$200
Just a few blocks from the waterfront and the downtown, this is a beautiful Biarritz style building with deep blue shutters. The rooms are impeccable and decorated with a personal touch.
34 avenue Carnot, Biarritz, France | +33 (0) 559 22 39 80 | www.Hotel-EdouardVII.com | ~$175
The Catalonian capital of Barcelona boasts a beautiful coastline, diversity of culture, leisure, and shopping, creative, innovative gastronomy and an avant-garde spirit. Be sure to check out some of the fantastic architecture and art of Antonio Gaudi, such as Sagrada Familia or Parc Guell. The Gothic quarter is the heart of Barcelona’s old town, with narrow cobbled streets on which Picasso and Miró lived long ago. Las Ramblas is a long, tree-lined shopper’s paradise that leads to the sea. Be sure to check out the fascinating Boqueria market as well. We recommend the following accommodations for your post-trip hotel:
In keeping with Barcelona’s Avant-Garde ambience, this popular and unique design hotel perfectly blends modern with kitsch. The century old building has been transformed into a contemporary hotel. The style is anything but basic and most rooms contain a crystal shower and a light system which transforms the room according to your taste.
Princesa, 50, Barcelona, Spain | +34 93 295 46 52 | www.ChicandBasic.com | ~$150
A 19th century building converted into a cozy 25-room hotel. In the multicultural neighborhood of El Raval, just a few steps from the famous La Boqueria market, Casa Camper is the perfect location to indulge in Barcelona’s vibrant nightlife. You can do this actively by using one of the Casa Camper’s bicycles, or by enjoying the spectacular view across the city from the rooftop terrace.
Carrer Elisabets 11 | +34 933 42 62 80 | www.CasaCamper.com | ~$425
Ten minutes from the historic city center, Hotel Villa Emilia offers 53 non-smoking modern and spacious boutique rooms. Escape to the roof terrace and enjoy its sophistication and serenity.
Calabria 115-117 | +34 932 52 52 85 | www.HotelVillaEmilia.com | ~$225
