Raid Pyrenean Coast to Coast Ride
8 Days Starting in St Jean de Luz and ending in Canet Plage
Visiting: Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Col de Saint-Ignace, Col d'Aubisque, Col d'Aspin, Col de Peyresourde, Col du Chioula, Gorges de l'Aude, Canet-en-Roussillon
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MSP
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 18
Physical rating:
Tough
Age range:
16 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This unique cycling raid is a must-do route for any road cycling fan. It will take us on a journey over eleven of the most famous Cols in the Pyrenees. We traverse the mighty Pyrenees hugging the Spanish border as we follow a route that was made famous by riders trying to complete the distance in less than 100 hours, but on this trip you will have time to take in the stunning jagged landscape whilst still conquering great climbs like the Col du Tourmalet and the Col d'Aubisque. After taking on these rewarding climbs, the route brings us back down to the Mediterranean Sea for a celebratory swim.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start St Jean De Luz.
Location: Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: No Meals
Start St Jean de Luz. If there is time we can go for a short ride along the
sea front towards Pointe de Ste Barbe. In the evening the guide will talk
through the itinerary for the weeks cycling.
*Standard Hotel*
Day 2 : Ride Over The Col Du St Ignace And The Col D'osquich.
Location: Col de Saint-Ignace
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our journey starts by climbing the Col de St Ignace at 169m, gaining altitude
progressively to join the mountains before cycling through St Jean Pied de
Port, the renowned medieval city on the Compostelle way. From here the route
climbs the Col d'Osquich, officially at 392m of altitude but the road
culminates at 500m. After this, we enjoy a nice ride down to the village of
Montory where we spend the night.
*Standard Hotel*
Day 3 : Ride Through The Basque Hills Before Taking On The Hors Category Col D'aubisque And The Col De Soulor.
Location: Col d'Aubisque
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the morning, we cycle through the Basque hills as we make our way to the
west starting point of the mythic Col d'Aubisque, here we take on the
challenging Hors Category pass, a 17km climb at 8% average gradient with
sections at 10%. The summit is at 1709m of altitude, then after a short
descent we start the second climb up to the Col du Soulor 1474m, this is the
last summit before a superb descent to our hotel in Agos-Vidalos.
*Standard Hotel*
Day 4 : Today We Ride The Mighty Hors Category Col Du Tourmalet Followed By The First Category Col D'aspin.
Location: Col d'Aspin
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we take on the Col du Tourmalet, one of the most legendary climbs in
the Pyrenees, at 2115m of altitude and climbed 52 times by the TDF since 1947
making it the most climbed col of the Tour de France. the Col du Tourmalet is
a Hors Category pass, it is 18km long with an average gradient of 8% with
some sections at 10%. From the summit there is a nice twisty descent to Saint
Marie de Campan. Straight after the descent the second challenge of the day
starts with the climb of Col d'Aspin, a first category climb with 12km of
ascent from Saint Marie de Campan at 5,2% average gradient.
*Standard Hotel*
Day 5 : Cycle Over The Col De Peyresourde, Col Des Ares And The Col De Portet D'aspet.
Location: Col de Peyresourde
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Three passes are waiting for us today. First up is the Col de Peyresourde, a
first category climb with 20km of ascent at 4.5% average gradient with
sections at 8%. Then we ride down to the Bagnères-de-Luchon valley where the
Tour de France stops regularly. Here we ride over the Col des Ares to join
the Col de Portet d'Aspet, a third category pass (4.3 km at 9.7%) that has
been ridden 30 times since 1947 by the Tour de France.
* Standard Hotel*
Day 6 : Ride The Col Du Port With Amazing Views Over The Ariege Valley Before Climbing The Col De Chioula.
Location: Col du Chioula
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
From St Girons, we will cycle towards the Col de Port another classic of the
Tour de France, starting the climb from Massat the ascent is constant and
doesn’t go over 6%. We then descend to Bompas where we join the “route
des corniches”, a road that overlooks the Ariège valley with great views.
We will then climb the Col de Chioula up to 1431m of altitude. From the
summit we will descend towards Ax les Thermes where we spend the night.
*Standard Hotel*
Day 7 : We Follow The River That Flows Through The Gorges De L'aude All The Way To The Mediterranean Sea At Canet Plage.
Location: Gorges de l'Aude
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is the last day of cycling, which means at the end of the ride we can
jump into the Mediterranean Sea! Leaving the mountains we follow the rivers
that come from the high peaks to join the sea; carving among the rocks we
follow the fabulous gorges de l'Aude. Passing beautiful views over the
Corbières vineyards we make our way towards the end of the route in Canet
Plage by the sea. Here we will have time to celebrate the week’s
achievements with a swim in the med and some well-earned drinks.
*Standard Hotel*
Day 8 : Free Morning In Canet Plage Before The Trip Ends Here.
Location: Canet-en-Roussillon
Meals Included: Breakfast
Free morning to relax or explore Canet Plage at our own pace before the trip
ends here.
What's Included
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All breakfasts
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Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
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Tour leader throughout
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All accommodation (see below)
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All transport and listed activities
What's Not Included
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Visas or vaccinations
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Travel insurance
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Local bike hire (available on request)
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Single accommodation (available on request)
Accommodation
Food
All breakfasts are included. For breakfast you can expect a continental style buffet with cold meat, cheeses, bread, eggs, jams and pastries as well as tea and coffee. Throughout the trip you can expect really good food with strong influences from Spain and France. Lunches and dinners are not included in the trip price to allow you to take advantage of the local restaurants and cafes along the route and give you freedom over what you eat. Our guide will be able to recommend the best local restaurants and will have planned some stops at good coffee shops to break up the days rides.
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Minimum 16 year age people can go on this tour.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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