fbpx

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWS!

Raid Pyrenean

Road Cycling Holidays in the Pyrenees

  • Epic traverse of the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean in 100 hours
  • 720km Raid Pyrenean route with 11,000m of ascent
  • Conquer many famous Tour de France climbs: Tourmalet, Aubisque, Jau, and more!
  • Official route including registration plus certificate & medal for successful finishers
  • Comfortable 2 and 3* hotels with local cuisine geared to cyclists
  • Half-board: breakfast and dinners included, as well as wine with dinner
  • Two customised support vans with attentive, proactive, and fun guides
  • Experienced and passionate service from Marmot Tours who support about 200 cyclists a year to achieve the Raid Pyrenean

Days on the bike

4.5 days

Very tough test of one self, but a great achievement. The group was great and Tez and Mel kept us going and believed we would do it even if we felt it was becoming impossible. Great set up with the vans, drink, food, bike mechanical's.

P Levy

Introduction

The Raid Pyrenean is a bucket list challenge for any road cycling enthusiast. In the 1950’s the Cyclo Club Béarnais created a cycling route across the Pyrenees from coast to coast, keeping as close to the Spanish border as possible (on surfaced roads). The ‘catch’ was the 100 hours given to participants to complete the traverse! This is a chance to cycle most of the famous cols in the Pyrenees, including beasts such as the Col du Tourmalet and Col d’Aubisque. You’ll also ride through the many other quiet and beautiful roads and cols of France’s southernmost mountain range. The scenery is stunning, the road surfaces good and the car drivers are generally extremely courteous and respectful towards cyclists.

Since 2004 we’ve been supporting cyclists to conquer the Raid Pyrenean and to achieve their goals. We are passionate about what we do, and over the years we’ve helped hundreds of cyclists to complete this epic coast-to-coast cycling challenge. The expertise and experience of our team is evident on every one of our tours: we provide two highly customised support vans per group, our guides are attentive and energetic, and we know that this is not just a cycling challenge – it is also a holiday, so we keep it fun! While this is a group holiday, the tour is very much about YOUR goals and aspirations and we pride ourselves on our individual customer focus; from your first enquiry to the last moment of your holiday.

For more inspiration, watch our Raid Pyrenean video on our You Tube channel here. To find out more about the history and format of a raid, you can read our blog (21/03/19) here. If you’re interested in cycling in the French Pyrenees, but without the time pressure of the Raid Pyrenean, why not take a look at our flexible pace tour Classic Cols of the Pyrenees, which gives you several routes to choose from daily.

It is important to us that you book a holiday that’s right for you, so do read the Trip Notes for all you need to know about how this holiday works; food, accommodation, travel and so on.

For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

Departure Dates & Prices

Month
Departure
Amount
Single Room Supplement
Jun
8th Jun - 14th Jun
£1450.00
Single Room Sup. £325.00
15th Jun - 21st Jun
£1450.00
Single Room Sup. £325.00
22nd Jun - 28th Jun
£1490.00
Single Room Sup. £325.00
Aug
31st Aug - 6th Sep
£1490.00
Single Room Sup. £325.00
Sep
7th Sep - 13th Sep
£1490.00
Single Room Sup. £325.00

We are pleased to offer some tempting discounts off the basic trip cost (not including extras such as single rooms or bike hire):

  • Book & pay your deposit more than 6 months in advance of the start of your holiday for our 5% early bookers discount
  • Get a group of 10+ people together for a 7.5% group discount and, as the group organiser, receive a £150 voucher for your next holiday
  • Be rewarded for your loyalty by receiving a 10% discount from your 3rd Marmot trip onwards

Please note that there is a maximum 10% discount on any holiday.

Map

Itinerary

Day 0: Arrival day

We offer included airport transfers at scheduled times from Biarritz BIQ airport (30min) or from Toulouse TLS airport (3hr 45min) at an extra cost of £60, taking you to the start hotel in Hendaye.

Full travel advice group airport transfer arrangements (essential reading before booking your flights) can be found in our Trip Notes.

Day 1: Hendaye to Oloron-St-Marie

Dip your toes in the Atlantic before you go – your 100 hours start at 9 am! Cycle through the picturesque Basque country with a couple of small cols as a warm up before lunch, probably in the historic town of St-Jean-Pied-de-Port. The Col d’Osquich (495m) is the main climb of the day before you descend, then undulate on quiet roads through small villages to the hotel (with pool) in Oloron-St-Marie. With two carnet stamps today, you are already well on your way.

163km with 2300m of ascent [ride profile]

Day 2: Oloron-St-Marie to La Mongie

Today’s ride is incredible and one you’ll never forget! You’ll climb the beautiful Col d’Aubisque (1709m) and stop for an early lunch in the summit refuge restaurant before enjoying the spectacular balcony road that leads to the Col du Soulor.

An epic descent brings you to the lively market town of Argelès-Gazost, from where you press on up the valley to Luze-Saint-Saveur, at the base of the mighty and much-feared Col du Tourmalet (2115m). 1400m of climbing over 18 emotional kms sees you at the top of the highest col (with a road surface) in the Pyrenees. Our hotel is just a few kms over the top, in the ski town of La Mongie.

133km with 3620m ascent [ride profile]

Day 3: La Mongie to St-Lizier

Starting the day with the long descent to Campan we are then into the gorgeous and peaceful climb over the Col d’Aspin (1489m). You then take on another infamous col, the Peyresourde (1569m) – don’t forget to try the crepes at the great col-top café before possibly the best descent in the Pyrenees, all the way down to Luchon.

The afternoon will see you undulating over some quiet and very pretty cols before the slightly terrifying 14% inclines of the Col de Portet d’Aspet (1069m)! Gentle gradients with a downhill bias then take you the remaining 35km to the hotel in St-Lizier.

155km with 3000m ascent [ride profile]

Day 4: St-Lizier to Prades

By tonight you will have passed over the Atlantic – Mediterranean watershed and will be able to almost smell the sea air! But first you have to tackle the lovely Col de Port (1249m), the scenic Route des Corniches and the rural Col de Marmare! Today includes some stunning riding and the final descent to Prades from the Col de Jau (1506m) is magical.

195km with 3400m ascent [ride profile]

Day 5: Prades to Cerbere

The end is in sight – well, almost! With the clock ticking down to your finish deadline at 1 pm, there are still nearly 100kms and some steep coastal undulations to take on today. Your route takes you to join the coast road in Argelès-sur-Mer. You’ll then pass through the historic port town of Collioure before reaching your final destination in Cerbere.

The only thing left to do this afternoon is to celebrate your incredible achievement with a dip in the Mediterranean Sea, before enjoying a fabulous dinner and our charming seafront hotel.

95km with 620m ascent [ride profile]

Day 6: Departure day

Our included transfer drops you at Perpignan PGF airport for flights to Stansted, or at Toulouse TLS airport, for an extra cost of £45.

Full travel advice and group airport transfer arrangements (essential reading before booking your flights) can be found in our Trip Notes.