EPIC Trans Pyrenees

Your first big day of climbing – and we kick things off with one of the most challenging climbs in the Pyrenees. The Col de Portet was first introduced to the Tour de France in 2018, then again in 2021 when Tadej Pogačar won the stage. Starting right outside the Hotel Mercure there could be no better way to launch an Epic Trans Pyrenees trip. After conquering the Portet, the ride continues with the stunning Col d’Azet Val Louron and the Col de Peyresoude before the descent back to the Hotel Mercure and the end of a quintessential day in the French Pyrenees!

After the toughest climb in the Pyrenees yesterday, today you’ll ride the most famous Pyreneen of all – the legendary Col du Tourmalet.

Setting out from the hotel, your first challenge is in the form of the Category 1, Col d’Aspin. The descent of the Aspin takes you to Ste Marie de Campan and the start of the Tourmalet. Don’t be fooled by the gentle slopes of the first few kilometers, it won’t be long until you’ll be seeing a lot of grades in double digits! Enjoy a snack at the famous cafe on the summit before heading down to Luz St Sauveur where the spectacular switchbacks of the climb to Luz-Ardiden await, before the ride along the valley to the next hotel.

Another spectacular Pyreneen ride today, featuring two magnificent climbs. First up is the Col de Spandelles where Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar broke away together in the 2022 Tour de France, and where Tadej famously crashed on the descent. After the descent of the Spandelles, the road points upwards again as you head for the Col de Soulor and the Col d’Aubisque. The stretch of road between the Soulor and the Aubisque runs along the ridge of the Cirque du Litor and offers some of the most stunning views in the Pyrenees!

Highlight of today’s ride is no doubt the Col de la Pierre St Martin. With an elevation gain of 1500m over a distance of 24km, the Pierre St Martin is close to the Tourmalet in overall difficulty level. It last featured as a summit finish in the 2015 Tour de France when Chris Froome was first over the finish line. The Pierre St Martin also marks the border between France and Spain, so you’ll be descending into the Spanish province of Navarra – hot-bed of Spanish cycling and birthplace of Miguel Indurain, 5-times winner of the Tour de France.

On today’s ride you’ll cross the Spanish/French border a couple of times as the route winds its way through the best of the French and Spanish Pyrenees. From the hotel you’ll start climbing the Puerto de Larrau which takes you across the border into France for the first time. Next up is the Col de Bagargui with its steep sections in the final few km. A fantastic descent takes you to the town of St Jean Pied de Port, one of the main starting points for the Way of St James (Camino de Santiago). The short and stunning Col d’Ispeguy takes you back into the Spanish Basque country and the end of a magnificent day on the bike.

A fantastic ride to end the trip through the Spanish Basque Country, the mecca of Spanish cycling. There are 4 categorised climbs on the agenda, culminating in the iconic Jaizkibel climb with it’s views of the cliffs and Atlantic Ocean that form this stunning section of the Basque coastline.

Unfortunately, your trip across the Pyrenees has come to an end.

Our shuttle will drop you off at Bilbao Airport.