Guided Road Cycling Holiday - Trans Pyrenees Challenge

Cycling Holidays

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Holidays that move you

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Holiday Highlights

Riding the entire length of Europe’s most dramatic mountain range
Looking down on the switchbacks ahead from the summits of the Aspin and the Port de Pailhères
The breath-taking descent from the top of the Tourmalet
Fresh crepes and a coffee at the summit of Col de Peyresourde
Bathing tired legs in the outdoor thermal waters in Ax-les-Thermes
Fine Spanish food and wine in Bossost
Picnic and celebratory drinks on the beach at Collioure

View Holiday Schedule

Day	Description	Distance	Ascent	Meals
1	Arrival: Biarritz Airport	Non Riding Day
2	St Jean de Luz to Montory	75 Miles / 120 Kms Approx.	1,850 Metres Approx.	B L
3	Montory to Argeles Gazost	62 Miles / 100 Kms Approx.	2,900 Metres Approx.	B L
4	Argeles Gazost to St Lary Soulan	56 Miles / 91 Kms Approx.	2,700 Metres Approx.	B L
5	St Laury Soulan to Bossost	39 Miles / 62 Kms Approx.	1,950 Metres Approx.	B L
6	Bossost to St Girons	70 Miles / 112 Kms Approx.	2,600 Metres Approx.	B L
7	St Girons to Ax-les-Thermes	68 Miles / 110 Kms Approx.	2,400 Metres Approx.	B L
8	Ax-les-Thermes to Prades	61 Miles / 98 Kms Approx.	2,500 Metres Approx.	B L
9	Prades to Banyuls-sur-Mer	47 Miles / 75 Kms Approx.	400 Metres Approx.	B L
10	Departure: Girona Airport	Non Riding Day		B

Meals: B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner | Please keep in mind the distances and ascent information provided are intended to be indicative and may vary from the actuals due to accommodation changes or when compared on different GPS devices and software

For more information download our trip notes

Holiday Information

Our Trans Pyrenees coast-to-coast cycle Challenge has been one of our most popular road cycling tours ever since we started offering it, well over a decade ago. We updated this trip in 2015, and in its latest incarnation the tour is bigger and even better than it was before. In response to popular demand, our carefully researched route now takes in the entire mountain range.

Starting on the shores of the Atlantic and finishing on the warm sands of the Mediterranean, it presents a unique opportunity to combine a coast-to-coast ride with a genuine mountain experience.

This is a challenging trip through one of Europe’s most impressive mountain ranges, and our revised route now spans the entire distance between the Bay of Biscay on the Atlantic Coast and the Mediterranean Sea taking in some of the most impressive mountain scenery you could wish for as we make our way along the beautiful natural border between France and Spain.

Home to both the Basques and the Catalans, throughout history the region has seen its share of conflict. Thankfully today the struggle for supremacy in the mountains is mainly fought out on two wheels. Whether it be professional riders battling for points and Tour de France stage wins, or amateur riders battling against the mountains themselves, the challenges presented by the Pyrenees are just as dramatic and just as exciting.

If you’ve always wondered what it feels like to climb the likes of the Col du Tourmalet, Col d’Aubisque, Aspin and Peyresourde then this is your chance. These mountains are legendary in the cycling world. The route starts in St Jean de Luz on the Basque coast and covers nearly 800km and 17,000m of climbing before arriving in Banyuls-sur-Mer on the Mediterranean coast, where we'll celebrate with a paddle in the sea and a bottle of something sparkling.

For more information download our trip notes

Holiday Feedback

Perfect...

Great holiday, really enjoyed every day. The route was really well thought out and the Tour leader was friendly, encouraging, and really knowledgeable. Both the guides and the other riders were really good company. and the hotels and evening meals were also very good.

It was just about the right level of intensity for me. Challenging rides every day but done at an enjoyable pace with enough time to recover for the next day. Finally the weather far exceeded my expectations (from the long range forecast) – perfect.

Mark, Bristol, UK
Our best holiday for a while...

I think this was our best holiday for a while. The guides were the best we have had. Perhaps our toughest holiday but we felt supported and encouraged as we were a close group cycling wise. The duration of the days was good as well. Finally once more a final thanks to John, Issy, and Alexis – I know they were working and we were guests but they all really made us welcome, supported and more like friends, they couldn’t do enough for us – brilliant.

Chris, UK
Thank you for a brilliant holiday...

Our tour leader was relaxed, confidence inspiring, clearly very experienced and competent whilst being very accommodating with focus on looking after guests. This years team is the new benchmark – the best guide team yet!

In terms of our guides, Isobel was very friendly, bursting with enthusiasm, helpful, well organised and very supportive / focused on customer service and Alexis who despite it being his first trip with Saddle Skedaddle, clearly quickly fitted in well with the rest of team and into the role. Again friendly, supportive and very helpful, as well as a brilliant menu interpreter.

There are cheaper companies / operators who we have used but as with most things in life you pay for what you get. Yes it’s more expensive, but then you get great service and have a brilliant holiday.

Thank you once again!

Graham, Berkshire, UK
A great trip!

We had a great trip in all respects! Most importantly we had excellent guides – from John to Isobelle and Alexis our French guide. All of them were excellent – probably the best we have had in all of our trips – friendly, supportive and just lovely people. Hotels varied and all of them were good, clean and comfortable with good facilities.

Lunches were absolutely great and up to the usual Skedaddle Standards!

The last few days of the route were quieter and wilder and the best days cycling of the trip. It was a challenging trip, but certainly an enjoyable one too!

Chris, Hampshire
As seen in the press...

From St-Jean-de-Luz on the Atlantic coast to Banyuls-sur-Mer on the Mediterranean, this 434-mile (700km) trail is a bucket-list ride for keen cyclists. Following the Tour de France route, the itinerary takes in the challenging cols of Aubisque, Aspin and Peyresourde, and the highest, Col du Tourmalet at 6,939ft. The reward for cycling from 39 to 75 miles (62-120km) per day is the spectacular scenery running the length of the border between France and Spain.

The Telegraph (April, 2019), 10 of the best mountain holidays for 2019
Excellent...

After morocco my second favourite holiday … the course is spectacular and challenging (but doable!) and the group camaraderie was supportive & encouraging. Our guides were truly excellent in managing the team and group.

Stacey, London
A trip that will be hard to beat!

Stunning scenery, a great group, perfect weather, this trip will be hard to beat! We enjoyed sunshine and temperatures of up to 38c. Finishing in the sea at Collioure was a fun way to end the holiday and the food/accommodation were first rate. Kevin and Chris were great and looked after us all so well all week.

Karen, Surrey
Excellent guides...

Kevin and Chris worked very well together. Good team. Always helpful. Good communication. Two excellent guides!

Ian, Canada
Great, friendly guides...

Can’t fault Kevin or Chris – great guides and great blokes. Did an excellent job, very positive, very friendly and nothing too much trouble for them!

Adrian, Kent