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2025 Destination #2 - French Pyrenees
Reintroducing in August 2025 in the The French Pyreneess
2025 Pyrenees Tour Dates: Wednesday 27th August 2025 to Wednesday 3rd September 2025
The ICONIC rides - Pyrenees
The most famous Pyrenean Mountain - Col du Tormalet
Many a stage of the Tour de France has been battled out on these famous slopes, a true destination in the cycling world, along with Alp d’Huez, its one of the two most sort after rides for any cyclist!Its been called, by none other than the great Paul Sherwan, “a beast of a climb”. It is truly a must do, but it is more than a beast, it is beautiful, its so historic and the decent is something that you will likely not forget!The village of Luz-Saint-Sauveur is the best lunch stop before we cruise along the bike paths all the way back to our beloved guest house.This is one for the photo album!!
The serene AND SPECTACULAR Col de Aspin
This climb is starts with a beautiful ride through the country side and a stop at Arreau for a coffee and a chat before starting on the consistent grades, and picturesque views of what is one of my favourite rides in the area. A peaceful meandering road that becomes a Tour de France battle field during the occasional July in France. The roads are amazing, views are incredible, and we are often greeted by resident cattle at the summit, that you basically need to ride around, as they seem to enjoy the autumn sun exactly where they are!The descent varies from forested roads, sweeping bends, and valley views that are matched by the crepes from the café at the bottom, before the shorter ride back to base for our evening meal. This one is a real treat!
The Pyrenean epic - Hautacam
Used as a Tour de France climb on six occasions, this climb is in the same league as any other climb that is referred to as ‘legendary’. In 16km we will ascend just over 1200m from Argeles Gazost, this is a challenge, a true Pyrenean giant scarred by snowfall, providing vast views and typically consistent grades with a few steep sections scattered along the climb. A shorter day on the road, but with no less satisfaction, you will talk about Hautacam for a long time into the future. Breathtaking scenery from the summit will complement the accomplishment perfectly, and the descent is on the familiar road that we just come up. An amazing day!
The Pyrenean bucket list ride - Luz Ardiden
29 Hairpin Turns!This is a famous climb that has been used as an occasional Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana! This is a beautiful ride, the weaving lace like road will have you looking forward to the descent, because you can see so far down the road and the views are amazing.Used 9 times in the Tour de France, the most recent stage winner her was Tadej! The ride to the climb is gorgeous and we will divert to take a look at one of the amazing man made sites. We will ride across Pont Napoleon for some amazing photo opportunities and a quick insight into the mind of the French Military General! I think that this is a ‘bucket list ride’, a must do for any cyclist visiting the area, yet it is so easily overlooked. A special place!
It's not all climbing.....
On the rest day we will venture to some very inspiring and deeply moving places. We will have a slower start on the rest day and travel to the incredible Cirque de Gavarnie, a place of incredible beauty, and extremely close to the Spanish border. We will walk through some incredible landscape and recharge, plunging waterfalls, cliffs, rugged mountain tops, green fields and forest. You get the gist, this place can’t be missed. It is truly an exceptional natural site!
We will take our time, maybe head to Pont Espagne, and then make our way into Lourdes for an unforgettable tour of the famous Sanctuary of Our Lady, a destination that is world famous. (Note: This is a religious site, so entry is entirely optional)
This place will move even the toughest of people, it is almost unexplainable. You don’t need to be a believer to be amazed here, it’s a beautiful destination in it own right and we will then have dinner in the City of Lourdes to allow you the opportunity to experience something other than the one dining location.