Pyrenees Coast to Coast Bike Tour

Today you’ll ride from the foothills into the mighty Pyrenees. Begin on a quiet road with rolling hills toward the first climb of the day, with stunning views to the Pic d'Elaudi, a popular bird migration viewpoint leading into the fall months. After a nice downhill, you'll ride along the Saison River, climbing and passing through quaint pastoral villages where sheep cheese production is the main source of work and income. Enjoy lunch in the remote valley along the Route du Fromage to fuel up for the second half of the day. You’ll ride through the largest broadleaf forest in Europe en route to Col de Izarbe, your final summit of the day with views of Pic d’Arias on the French and Spanish border. You’ll reconvene with the rest of the group for dinner at your hotel in Oloron-Saint-Marie, a 1st-century village that is home to the Lindt Chocolate Factory and the confluence of two Pyrenean mountain rivers, Gave d’Aspe and Gave d’Ossau.

From your hotel you'll ride up towards the Vallée d’Aspe and pass by some local vineyards to continue your journey into the Hautes-Pyrénées. If you're lucky, as you climb through the old beechwood forests to Col de Marie-Blanque, a climb never to be underestimated, you may see one of the six recently reintroduced brown bears. Later you'll also pass the Neoclassical spa town of Eaux-Bonnes before the next historic and challenging climb - Col d’Aubisque. 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, then the stunning views found on a clear day certainly will! At the summit you will enjoy a warm and hearty mountain refuge lunch before continuing to the second half of the day's ride. You'll welcome the long descent through Col du Soulor to give your legs a break. Enjoy the views as you reach our next hotel in the village of Saint-Savin for a well-deserved rest and a hearty meal.

Prepare for climbing today on a Tour de France Queen Stage! Today you'll take on Tourmalet, Col d’Aspin, and Col de Peyresourde, three epic climbs that have been regularly featured in the Tour de France. You’ll begin your day riding along the Gavarnie river with astonishing views of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, one of the most majestic summits in the Hautes-Pyrénées. You'll head towards Luz-Saint-Sauveur which sits at the base of the renowned Col du Tourmalet, the highest pass traversable by a vehicle and home of the largest ski area in the Pyrenees. After reaching the summit you will have an exhilarating descent, then you'll climb halfway up Col d’Aspin where you will be stopping for lunch. After lunch you will finish the climb up to the cow-grazing peak of Col d’Aspin with absolutely breathtaking views. Once again enjoy a swooping descent down to Arreau, the former capital of ancient Aragon. The final climb up to Col de Peyresourde will test your best after the first two climbs already in the legs. The feeling at the summit is second to none knowing what was accomplished today. A warm meal and cozy bed awaits you after zipping down into the famous spa town of Bagnères-de-Luchon.

It's a 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 with 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 and spend the afternoon at your leisure. The area offers other activities for an afternoon of fun—take a gondola ride up to the ski station of Superbagneres, paragliding, caving, climbing and hiking are just a few of the options. Whatever you decide, this is your day to do as little - or as much - as you want. (Please note that some of these extra activities require advance reservations and are not included in the trip price. You can contact one of our Trip Consultants or the Luchon tourism office directly at www.pyrenees31.com for more information.)

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 Pyrénéan 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 1 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 (meaning "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.

Featured meal:

Tapas dinner at Cafe Pessets in Sort

This café nests in the beautiful and artistic building of the original Hotel Pessets, with its wonderful façade and entrance flanked by the Angels of Freedom. Opened in 1862, this hotel rich in history, once served as a refuge for Jewish families crossing the Pyrenees mountains fleeing the Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II. Today the chef, Aleix (a descendent from the original owners) and his wife, Marta, are still providing the traveler and local alike with a place to gather for nourishment and rejuvenation. This tapas meal is an ever-flowing festival of flavors. Each dish that is uniquely created is beautifully fresh, ethically and locally sourced, and prepared with high quality and passion. The simple and traditional Catalan dish, Patatas Bravas, has never packed such flavors and a poached egg nestled in a cloud of potato puree sprinkled by a touch of fresh truffle are only a hint of the unforgettable and plentiful dishes. The energetic open kitchen overflows into the dining area, provoking lively conversation at the family style dinner table. You may or may not be holding a Sort winning lottery ticket, but you will come away a winner after experiencing such a special meal shared with friends and companions.

Today starts from the front door of the hotel with a Category 1 pass, a regular climb of the Vuelta a España—Coll de Cantó. You'll then drop down to La Seu d’Urgell, home of the canoeing events of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Continue pedaling up through the valley with the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park on your right and the Andorra mountain giants on your left. Alongside the roads you'll also often see goat-like chamois precariously perched or maybe locals out foraging for mushrooms. End your day in Puigcerda. Puig meaning "hill" in Catalan and Cerda derives from Cerdanya region where the town resides. The village perched with perfect views of the Pyrenees mountains and the peak of the Pedraforca in the distance. Enjoy a nice relaxing spa or a stroll along the lake before exploring the village and a dinner of your choosing.

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 climb to the top of La Molina ski station and Coll de la Creueta, a 14-mile HC climb. This seemingly endless climb eventually drops you into a quiet valley with views of the stand-alone mountain of Pedraforca, as you ride past the remote village of Castellar de n’Hug. This area is known for the Fonts del Llobregat, the source of the Llobrregat river and one of the most important waterways in all of Catalonia. As you make your way south along the remote and beautiful Catalan roads, you will slowly notice the change in flora with the first sighting of the famous cork trees. Enjoy a typical Spanish late lunch along the way before reaching the larger Medieval town of Vic, famous for its Romanesque churches. This is the start of your final climb into the peaceful setting next to the Sau Reservoir and the panoramic views of the Guillerias Mountains where you will rest up in the traditional style of a Catalan country house before your final ride of the journey to the Mediterranean Sea!

Today the last exhilarating ride of your epic trans-Pyrenees adventure lies before you - so savor every moment! You’ll start by descending from the Sau reservoir through the training ground that many professional cyclists use to jump-start their season. Todays ride is filled with short but challenging climbs that must be conquered before one last 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 (the "brave coast") to your hotel nestled right on the beach. Here, you'll ceremoniously conclude your ride by again dipping your toes or a full body plunge in the sea. While overlooking the clear blue waters with your fellow riding companions, you’ll toast to your conquest of the magnificent Pyrenees with a traditional glass of cava then enjoy a farewell dinner as the sun sets behind the mighty jagged peaks you’ve just traveled.

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.