Itinerary
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Imagine the kudos at the cycling club, pub or office when you can tell your friends and colleagues you've ridden all the way across the Pyrenees!
The Transpyrenean Coast to Coast is the road cyclist's ultimate challenge, taking in 10,000 metres of climbing over a 740km six-day ride. As well as giving you a fantastic sense of achievement, riding the length of the whole mountain range enables you to witness the daily changes of scenery, climate and culture.
The PyrActif route from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean begins in the Victorian resort of Biarritz in the west and heads towards the Tour de France mountain cols of the Marie Blanque, Aubisque, Solour, Tourmalet and Aspin, reaching the Haute Pyrenees and the PyrActif base at Bertren on day three.
The journey then continues east into the lush green valleys and unforgettable mountain gorges of the Ariege. And after a final climb into the Pyrenees Orientals you descend to the Mediterranean coastal town of Argeles sur Mer.
Day 1. Arrive. Transfer from Toulouse or Biarritz airport.
Day 2. St Jean de Luz - Gurmencon 166km.
Leaving the Atlantic and the beaches behind us we start with a great warm up to the trip, rolling through the picturesque Basque country, climbing over the minor cols of St Ignace (169m) and Osquich (500m).
Day 3. Lurbe St Christeau - Bareges 110km
Leaving the Basque region, this is where we begin to hit the famous cols of the Pyrenees. First, the Marie Blanque (1008m) followed by a climb over the Aubisque (1709m) and Solour (1474m) and then the first 8km of the Tourmalet to the ski town of Bareges.
Day 4. Bareges - Bertren 108km
Leaving Bareges we go straight up the remaining 10 km to the summit of the Tourmalet (2115m). After a superb descent we climb again to crest the Col d'Aspin (1849m) before descending again into the valley of d'Aure. A fantastic undulating road brings us home to the PyrActif base at Bertren.
Day 5. Bertren - Tarascon 128km
Starting the day with a gentle climb up the Col Ares (795m) we head north to the town of Aspet, then East over the Col de Larrieu (779m) to St Girons and up the valley to climb the Col de Port (1249m) before a final descent into Tarascon.
Day 6. Tarascon - Prades 140km
Heading for the pretty thermal town of Ax les Thermes we roll west climbing over the Col de Marmare (1361m) and the Col de Sept Freres (1253m).A descent ino the stunning Gorges du Rebenty precedes the final and biggest climb of the day to the Col de Jau (1506m). The day finishes with a 26km descent into the town of Prades.
Day 7. Prades - Argeles sur Mer 70km
Following the flat final section of the ride to the Mediterranean coast, you can relax over a drink at the bar and recap on your adventures with your fellow riders Chapeau! Youve done it!.
We then transfer to Carcassonne for a celebration dinner at a restaurant within the fortified-walls of the 2500-year old castle.
Day 8. Depart. Transfer to Carcassonne or Toulouse airport.
Availabe 14th-21st June 2008 or 13th-20th September.
If those dates don't suit and you have a group of 6 or more riders, then we can potentially provide a bespoke option - drop us a line to find out more.
