High Pyrenees Climbing Adventure – 5 or 7 Nights

The Pyrenees are a stunning place for a cycling vacation.  We offer two options for tackling many of the climbs you have seen your cycling heroes race up in past Julys.  The first option bases you Luz-St. Sauveur for 5 nights.  The second starts and ends in Luz-St. Sauveur, but also allows you to venture to Luchon and Arreau for additional climbing opportunities. We arrange your luggage transport, breakfasts and all dinners.

5 Night Option (1 hotel):
Day 1:  Toulouse to Luz-St. Sauveur – Luz Ardiden warm-up
Arrive in Toulouse and we van you to our favorite Pyrenees town, Luz-St. Sauveur.  The town is at the base of many famous climbs.  If you get there early enough you can assemble your bike and tackle the 14km ascent to the Luz-Ardiden ski station.

Day 2:  Gavarney or Lourdes
Up hill or down hill – your choice.  Taking the road up to Gavarney you will have the chance to ride all the way to Spain!  (If you don’t mind a bit of gravel riding.)

Day 3:  Hautacam
Lance Armstrong, Marco Pantani, and others have done battle on this climb.  One of our favorites and most difficult.

Day 4:  Col du Tourmelet
2010 marked the 100th anniversary of the use of this mountain as a cycling destination.  18 amazing kilometers up from Luz-St. Sauveur.

Day 5:  Col d’Aubisque & Soulor
This double peaked climb is used many times to transition the TdF from one side of the Pyrenees to the other.  Take it all in today!  It is your last in the Pyrenees.

Day 6:  Luz-St. Sauveur to Toulouse
We van you back to Toulouse to either the airport or the train station.

7 Night Option (3 hotels):
Day 1:  Toulouse to Luz-St. Sauveur – Luz Ardiden warm-up
Arrive in Toulouse and we van you to our favorite Pyrenees town, Luz-St. Sauveur.  The town is at the base of many famous climbs.  If you get there early enough you can assemble your bike and tackle the 14km ascent to the Luz-Ardiden ski station.

Day 2:  Hautacam
Lance Armstrong, Marco Pantani, and others have done battle on this climb.  One of our favorites and most difficult.

Day 3:  Col d’Aubisque & Soulor
This double peaked climb is used many times to transition the TdF from one side of the Pyrenees to the other.  Take it all in today!  It is your last in the Pyrenees.

Day 4:  Col du Tourmelet & Aspin to Arreau
Today is a big day!  Both the Tourmelet and Aspin are on schedule as you transfer to your next hotel.

Day 5:  Pla d’Adet & Loudenvielle Loop
Enjoy a beautiful ride that includes the climb that George Hincapie captured a big mountaintop finish in 2005.

Day 6:  Arreau to Luchon via Col de Peyresourde
Another transfer day and another beautiful, often used climb.

Day 7:  Col de Portillon & Bales Loop
Ready to speak Spanish?  Today’s loop heads south into Espana and back.  Make the most of today – today is the last day on the bike!

Day 8:  Luchon to Toulouse
We van you back to Toulouse to either the airport or the train station.

To find out more about how our Self Guided Climbing Adventures operate, what is included, and what is not, click HERE.

* – There is no emergency support for breakdown other than calling a taxi (number provided).   French Emergency Service for Police or Medical are excellent. If you do not have a cell phone (it is recommended to have one) you can flag down almost any auto or truck and they will have a phone and the French have proven to be extremely helpful to cyclists.