A stunning 890km road biking trip along the Pyrenees with 17,200m of ascent in eight days
Climb legendary cols and passes including Tourmalet, Aubisque, Pierre Saint Martin and the Col de Pailhères, plus discover some of our favourite hidden gems
Experience a wide variety of stunning landscapes and magnificent mountain vistas
Stay in comfortable hotels chosen for their location and their welcome approach to cyclists
Choose from multiple airport transfer options, making travel as simple as possible for you
Enjoy exceptional support from two of our skilled, proactive guides (with customised support vans) who are focused on making your holiday the best it can be.
Support from the guides was excellent, they both worked incredibly hard in challenging conditions to be supportive, friendly, great team work. You'd see a van when you least expected it and probably needed it the most.
New for 2027! We believe we've crafted the ultimate multi-day cycling journey along the length of this beautiful mountain range.
The spectacular, eight-day ride takes you from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, following a single, set route each day. The average daily distance is 111km with 2,150m of ascent, so it is definitely a challenging ride. While there are no daily route options (unlike our Pyrenean Classic Cols holiday), the days are certainly less demanding than those on our Raid Pyrenean 100hr coast-to-coast challenge.
You'll encounter numerous Tour de France legendary climbs, as well as some of our favourite lesser-known passes, making this Pyrenean traverse a truly special road cycling experience. The Pyrenees are a remarkably diverse mountain range and the route combines vibrant wildflower meadows, beautiful forests, rugged mountains, deep gorges, and pristine vineyards. Each valley has its own style of architecture and culture, reflecting the region's rich history. You'll start by heading into the Spanish Basque Country, and end by passing the isolated castles of Occitan and through the Corbières vineyards.
This is your ride, so we're here to support you as an individual. While every cyclist on the tour will ride the same route, we don't insist that everyone ride as a group; you're free to ride at the speed you like, stop when you want, and make the days your own - as with all our holidays. With our experienced guides in customised vehicles, we'll provide you with all the moral, nutritional, and mechanical support you require. All you have to do is eat, sleep, and cycle – we do the rest!
It's important to us that you book the right holiday for you, so please click on the What’s Included, Essential Information, and Travel & Transfers buttons on this page for all you need to know about how this holiday works, including food, accommodation, travel and transfers etc. If you have any questions, you can get in touch using the Enquire Now button.
For the latest travel advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
We hope you’ll have sunshine and perfect cycling temperatures during your holiday, but obviously it’s the one aspect of your trip over which we have no control! Weather in the mountains can be highly changeable, and sometimes extreme. You’re likely to encounter a range of conditions and temperatures during your trip. You should bring warm and waterproof layers to protect you from the cold and rain. This is particularly important for the long descents that you’ll encounter on this trip.
The Pyrenean Atlantic to Mediterranean is a fairly challenging ride, and we move on each day (so there are no rest days). You'll probably get the most out of this trip if you are accustomed to long climbs and multiple long days in the saddle. You should look carefully at the daily stats of distance and climbing on the trip webpage to make sure this itinerary is right for you before you book. Please get in touch if you’d like further guidance.
We stay in comfortable 3* and 4* hotels with ensuite facilities. We have selected the hotels for their location and for their customer service towards cyclists. You will be sharing a twin room with another client (of the same gender) unless you book a single room for a supplement (contact [email protected] for availability). Each hotel has a garage/locked room to ensure that your bike has a comfortable night too.
All the hotels have WiFi but it is not always reliable! Some only have WiFi in reception as opposed to in individual rooms. Also, WiFi can be slower in the evenings when many riders choose to upload their routes to Strava, stretching the bandwidth.
We move on each night of this trip, so opportunities to use hotel laundry facilities (where they exist) are limited. However, we can help dry your hand-washed kit, so consider bringing some hand-wash detergent with you.
The hotels and restaurants we use can cater for most dietary needs and allergies if we know what these are well in advance. Each day, your guides will also double-check with the kitchen, to ensure they have something suitable planned for you.
You can let us know about any special dietary requirements on the booking form or via email. Please note that we request you stick to your dietary preference for the entire trip, as it’s very complicated for the hotels (and guides) if an individual has dietary requirements for some meals and not for others.
Your day will typically start with breakfast from 07:00. Your set-off time will vary according to your riding pace and will usually be between 07:45 and 08:45 - your guides will advise you on a departure time that works for you and for the support of the group as a whole. Lunch is typically served in restaurants and cafes from 12:00 to 14:00. Arrival time at the hotel at the end of the riding day is usually between 16:00 and 19:00, depending on riding pace as well as on the weather, and any unforeseen problems. Dinner is usually served at 19:30. Your guides may adjust these timings depending on the needs of the group or the weather conditions.
Our holidays are cycling holidays (with an emphasis on cycling!), but you are welcome to have a lift in our vans during the day if you need one, for example if you’re injured, exhausted, or unsure about riding in challenging weather conditions. If you become ill or injured and are not planning to ride for the whole day (or if you would just like a day off the bike!), then we will normally recommend that you take a taxi directly to the next hotel. This will give you the maximum possible time to rest and recover at the hotel, or to enjoy other activities off the bike.
If you have rim brakes on your carbon wheels then we definitely do NOT recommend you bring them on this holiday - this is because we have witnessed several cases of sudden and catastrophic delamination of these wheels on descents. Take a look at our blog about this issue.
If you’re bringing your own bike, then please also bring:
Tools for bike assembly are not required as Marmot Tours has them available for you to use on arrival (including a torque wrench). See FAQS for more detail.
If you are a non-EU national, to enter the EU you will need a passport issued within the last 10 years, that is also valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU.
Residents of many countries can enter the EU for short stays without a visa. From 2027, all non-EU visitors to the EU will require an ETIAS electronic travel authorisation.
Travel insurance is essential for all Marmot Tours holidays and anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the tour.
We are pleased to offer some tempting discounts off the basic trip cost (not including extras such as single rooms or bike hire):
Please note that there is a maximum 10% discount on any holiday.
Today is all about getting to your starting point: St Jean de Luz, a historic Atlantic fishing port now famed for its sandy beach and favourable surfing conditions. Our hotel is a short taxi ride from the railway station (with connections to Paris and Spain) and 15 minutes from Biarritz Airport, so arriving a few days early to explore the town is a good option.
To make international travel as easy as possible, we offer transfers from Biarritz Airport at specific times. We also offer transfers from Toulouse Airport (for an extra charge), a journey of approximately 3hrs 20 minutes.
Once your hire bikes are set up or your own bike is assembled, enjoy a welcome briefing from your guides and dinner in the hotel. You'll have chance to meet your fellow riders and hear how the holiday will work. Those arriving earlier in the day have the option to take a warm-up ride along the coast road to the Spanish border town of Hendaye for beautiful ocean views.
Following a Grand Depart photo on the beach, you head inland to the Col de Saint-Ignace (173m). The countryside is beautiful, with lush, green hillsides dotted with meadows of grazing sheep, and distinctive, wood-framed buildings with white walls and burgundy shutters.
After 27km, you pass over the border into the Spanish Basque Country and take on the Puerto de Otxondo (572m). A fast descent takes you to Elizondo, where you pick up a narrow road to the Puerto de Artesiaga (999m). This is a wonderful 15km climb with a punchy finish and gorgeous views of Monte Sayoa and the valley below.
The forested descent takes you past the Eugi reservoir to Zubiri, where you climb up the Alto de Erro (801m), through the high pastures and over the Alto de Mezquiriz (925m). Your destination is the hamlet of Burguete-Auritz, which has a welcoming hotel due to its location on the Camino de Santiago.
Stage 1 : 110 KM with 2320m ascent [ride profile]
Today's highlight is the Collado de la Piedra San Martin (1802m), better known by its French Name, Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin (1802m). It's a climb that's now cemented in cycling folklore by Chris Froome's dominant Tour de France stage victory here in 2015.
To get to the base of the climb in Isaba, you'll undulate through lush pastures over the Alto de Garralda (941m), Abaurrea Alta (1052m) and the Alto de Jaurrieta (984m) to Ezcároz. From here you head into a vast forest and over the Puerto de Laza (1129m).
Despite being 25km long, the Collado de la Piedra San Martin from the Spanish side is a gentle, steady climb with great tarmac. Near the summit you pass through a spectacular 360-degree loop which resembles Mallorca’s famous Sa Calobra tie knot. The summit is a special place with extensive views toward both France and Spain. When you leave, you'll soon be grateful you didn't ride it from the French side! Your destination is the pretty town of Oloron-Sainte-Marie, which is down at 200m above sea level.
Stage 2 : 127 KM with 2020m ascent [ride profile]
The Col d'Aubisque (1709m) made its first appearance in the Tour de France back in 1910 and has since been included over 70 times. It's an epic challenge, but a complete delight to ride. After the ski resort of Gourette, the road passes through open pasture with a stunning backdrop of sheer limestone cliffs; in the distance, the summit is marked by the sculpture of three massive bikes.
The 46km ride to the base of the climb is noteworthy in its own right. You start by undulating through a lovely forest to the Osseau Valley, where you'll climb gently on a quiet road following the river, passing through picturesque Pyrenean villages.
From the Col d'Aubisque, you join a breathtaking, narrow mountain balcony road known as the Cirque du Litor, which descends and then climbs back up to the Col du Soulor (1474m). Your efforts are rewarded with a fantastic descent to Argelès-Gazost, before the final 20km up the gorge of the river Gavarnie to our hotel in Luz-Saint-Sauveur. What a day!
Stage 3 : 112 KM with 2110m ascent [ride profile]
Today's destination is the small market town of Arreau. While it's only 70km away, a glance at the ride profile will soon dash any hope you had of it being an easier day!
Our first obstacle looms 1,400m above the hotel: the highest road pass in the French Pyrenees and no stranger to the Tour de France, the mighty Col du Tourmalet (2115m). Many adjectives could be used to describe this climb, but 'relentless' is probably the most apt! However, our clients often describe reaching the top as one of the most fulfilling experiences of their road cycling journey, so it just has to be done!
The descent is wonderful, but not without its challenges, as free-range llamas, cows, and horses tend to hang out on the road. In St Marie de Campan, make sure you stop off at the statue honouring Eugène Christophe and his legendary fork repair back in 1913.
The final climb of the day is the stunning Hourquette d'Ancizan (1564m), which we consider to be more beautiful from this side than its more famous northerly neighbour, the Col de Aspin, prompting us to include it in the route.
Stage 4 : 69 KM with 2240m ascent [ride profile]
Your ride today ticks off three more bucket-list Pyrenean climbs. First up is the Col de Peyresourde (1569m), where a plate of freshly made crêpes is highly recommended from the cafe at the top. This is followed by the descent to Bagnères-de-Luchon - arguably the Pyrenees's most fun descent for road cyclists!
A 20km stretch of valley road takes you to the base of the punchy Col de Menté (1346m), which is most famously remembered for Luis Ocaña's dramatic crash and loss of the yellow jersey in 1971 while racing against Eddy Merckx.
The final climb looks insignificant on the altitude profile, but the western side of Col de Portet-d'Aspet (1069m) is notoriously steep, with a few punishing pitches of up to 17%! Fortunately, the tree cover keeps it cool and it's manageable if you pace yourself steadily. 4km from the summit, you pass a monument dedicated to Italian Olympic champion Fabio Casartelli, who tragically lost his life on the descent in the 1995 Tour de France. From the summit, you have a 30km descent to recover before the short climb to our hotel in the old bishop's palace in Saint-Lizier.
Stage 5 : 111 KM with 2360m ascent [ride profile]
The Parc naturel régional des Pyrénées Ariégeoises is a beautiful, little-known part of rural France. Dotted with isolated villages connected by quiet roads, it's idyllic for road cycling. Today's challenge: try not to smile!
After climbing gently for 34km, you get to the base of the Col d'Agnès (1570m), where the gradients become significantly less gentle! The forest gives way to meadows rich in wildflowers, and the views just keep getting bigger! A short descent takes you to a perfectly located cafe overlooking the Etang de Lers, so you can get a caffeine boost to help you up the Port de Lers (1517m). This lines you up for a glorious 26km descent to Tarascon-sur-Ariège.
Refuelled, your next climb is the Pas de Soulombrie (922m), which leads into the Route de Corniches. This undulating, narrow road hugs the south-facing side of the Valley of Ax and commands exquisite views towards the mountainous border with Andorra.
Our destination is the spa town of Ax-les-Thermes, where we highly recommend visiting Le Couloubret thermal baths. Tonight's dinner is not included, so you can spend more time in the baths and enjoy one of the many restaurants in town.
Stage 6 : 123 KM with 2370m ascent [ride profile]
The Col de Pailhères (2001m) is a significant place on your journey, as it marks the watershed between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean - that is not to say everything is downhill from here! The climb itself is 19km long and gets steeper towards the top. Needless to say, the views from the col are pretty special, as is the 35km descent through multiple narrow gorges to Axat for lunch.
Your next climb is the Col de Jau (1506m), where you get your first view of the Mediterranean, way off on the horizon. The climb is serene, with little traffic through an enormous forest. The descent is the most varied of the trip, starting in the pine forest and ending down at 300m surrounded by fruit trees.
Our hotel in Prades has a lovely outdoor swimming pool with views towards Pic du Canigou, so you may have a chance for a dip to rest those quads at the end of the day.
Stage 7 : 104 KM with 2380m ascent [ride profile]
The Grande Finale! Your destination is the sandy beach of Port-la-Nouvelle, where our seafront hotel provides the perfect base to celebrate your achievements.
You start the day climbing on a narrow road with uninterrupted views to the Col de Roque-Jalère (988m). From here you descend through the dry Mediterranean forest and scrubland towards Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet. The route then follows the Agly river into the Gorges de Galamus, on a narrow road hewn from the side of the deep gorge. It is a truly remarkable bit of road building.
You are now in the 'Cathar Country', and if you look closely, many of the rocky outcrops are adorned with seemingly inaccessible ancient castles. Closer to the road, every flat bit of land is covered in vineyards - this is the Corbières wine-making area. Our route undulates over several named cols on a lovely quiet road to Tuchan, where you'll take on your final climb - the Col d'Extrême (257m). The final 40km is generally downhill, through more vineyards, cypress trees and coastal towns. Time for a swim in the Mediterranean to reward yourself for your cycling efforts of the past eight days!
Stage 8 : 136 KM with 1410m ascent [ride profile]
With nothing but the Mediterranean to the East, your road cycling journey along the Pyrenees is complete. Our included transfer drops you at Carcassonne Airport, a journey time of 1 hour, or Toulouse Airport (for an extra charge), which is just over 2 hours away.
We're certain that your memories of this fabulous coast-to-coast Pyrenean cycle ride will last a lifetime. The question is, what's next?!
We hope you’ll have sunshine and perfect cycling temperatures during your holiday, but obviously it’s the one aspect of your trip over which we have no control! Weather in the mountains can be highly changeable, and sometimes extreme. You’re likely to encounter a range of conditions and temperatures during your trip. You should bring warm and waterproof layers to protect you from the cold and rain. This is particularly important for the long descents that you’ll encounter on this trip.
The Pyrenean Atlantic to Mediterranean is a fairly challenging ride, and we move on each day (so there are no rest days). You'll probably get the most out of this trip if you are accustomed to long climbs and multiple long days in the saddle. You should look carefully at the daily stats of distance and climbing on the trip webpage to make sure this itinerary is right for you before you book. Please get in touch if you’d like further guidance.
We stay in comfortable 3* and 4* hotels with ensuite facilities. We have selected the hotels for their location and for their customer service towards cyclists. You will be sharing a twin room with another client (of the same gender) unless you book a single room for a supplement (contact [email protected] for availability). Each hotel has a garage/locked room to ensure that your bike has a comfortable night too.
All the hotels have WiFi but it is not always reliable! Some only have WiFi in reception as opposed to in individual rooms. Also, WiFi can be slower in the evenings when many riders choose to upload their routes to Strava, stretching the bandwidth.
We move on each night of this trip, so opportunities to use hotel laundry facilities (where they exist) are limited. However, we can help dry your hand-washed kit, so consider bringing some hand-wash detergent with you.
The hotels and restaurants we use can cater for most dietary needs and allergies if we know what these are well in advance. Each day, your guides will also double-check with the kitchen, to ensure they have something suitable planned for you.
You can let us know about any special dietary requirements on the booking form or via email. Please note that we request you stick to your dietary preference for the entire trip, as it’s very complicated for the hotels (and guides) if an individual has dietary requirements for some meals and not for others.
Your day will typically start with breakfast from 07:00. Your set-off time will vary according to your riding pace and will usually be between 07:45 and 08:45 - your guides will advise you on a departure time that works for you and for the support of the group as a whole. Lunch is typically served in restaurants and cafes from 12:00 to 14:00. Arrival time at the hotel at the end of the riding day is usually between 16:00 and 19:00, depending on riding pace as well as on the weather, and any unforeseen problems. Dinner is usually served at 19:30. Your guides may adjust these timings depending on the needs of the group or the weather conditions.
Our holidays are cycling holidays (with an emphasis on cycling!), but you are welcome to have a lift in our vans during the day if you need one, for example if you’re injured, exhausted, or unsure about riding in challenging weather conditions. If you become ill or injured and are not planning to ride for the whole day (or if you would just like a day off the bike!), then we will normally recommend that you take a taxi directly to the next hotel. This will give you the maximum possible time to rest and recover at the hotel, or to enjoy other activities off the bike.
If you have rim brakes on your carbon wheels then we definitely do NOT recommend you bring them on this holiday - this is because we have witnessed several cases of sudden and catastrophic delamination of these wheels on descents. Take a look at our blog about this issue.
If you’re bringing your own bike, then please also bring:
Tools for bike assembly are not required as Marmot Tours has them available for you to use on arrival (including a torque wrench). See FAQS for more detail.
If you are a non-EU national, to enter the EU you will need a passport issued within the last 10 years, that is also valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU.
Residents of many countries can enter the EU for short stays without a visa. From 2027, all non-EU visitors to the EU will require an ETIAS electronic travel authorisation.
Travel insurance is essential for all Marmot Tours holidays and anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the tour.