Pyrenees Coast to Coast has been carefully designed to include the most iconic cols in the region. Starting from the Atlantic Ocean, we cycle east to the Mediterranean Sea.

It’s perfect for keen road cyclists ready for a Coast to Coast challenge but without doing the pressurised Raid Pyrenean. Please note, however, that this is still a challenging ride! It is a memorable, bucket-list type of tour – you will get a great sense of achievement and lifelong happy memories.

You will also enjoy the changes in culture, scenery and climate as you journey through the regions of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées, Haute-Garonne, Ariège and Pyrénées-Orientales. The ride tries to avoid the busier French roads and as well as the hill climbs, it enjoys many sections alongside fast-flowing rivers, through steep-sided gorges and beautiful vineyards.

Arrive in Biarritz ready for an early evening pre-ride briefing followed by a welcome dinner in the hotel/nearby restaurant. (D)

After dipping our toes in the Atlantic Ocean we will steadily wend our way across the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, cycling through traditional Basque villages such as Espelette and Itxassou. Espelette is famed for its red chillies which are grown in the region and hung up to dry on the outside of the houses. We will warm up our climbing legs on the Col d’Osquich which is one of the gentlest climbs of the tour and has a beautiful downhill stretch down towards the pretty town of St-Jean-de-Pied-de-Port and on towards the city of Mauléon-Licharre. We will continue through the foothills of the Pyrenees to reach the small town of Arette. (B, D)

Today we will ride up one of the most beautiful cols of the tour – le Col d’Aubisque. This Hors Catégorie (HC) climb (which means a climb “beyond categorisation”!) is one of the most frequently ridden cols of the Tour de France and was first included in the tour back in 1910. Starting in Laruns, the first stage towards the spa resort of Eaux-Bonnes is relatively gentle with the pine trees offering welcome shade on hot days. The gradient then rises to over 10% for several kilometres before easing back again slightly before the top. The summit at 1709m offers stunning views and there will be plenty of time to recuperate in the café and take photos alongside the iconic TdF giant cycles. Descending from l’Aubisque, the ride continues along the Cirque du Litor, epitomised by its steep roadside drops and tunnels. Heading gradually back up again we tick off the Col du Soulor before enjoying an exhilarating ride down into Vallée d'Argelès-Gazost in the Hautes-Pyrénées. (B, L)

Today we take on the mighty challenge of the Col de Tourmalet followed by the beautiful Col d'Aspin. We'll start the day warming up our legs by cycling through the lush Vallée d'Argelès-Gazost. Upon reaching the ski resort of Luz-Saint-Sauveur we begin our ascent of the Tourmalet – the most climbed mountain in the history of the Tour de France. With its summit at 2115m (6939ft), it is the highest paved mountain pass in the Pyrenees. At 19km long and with an average gradient 7.4% it is a euphoric moment when you finally reach the top and see the iconic Géant au Col du Tourmalet. The tough climb is rewarded by a long ride down towards the beautiful village of Sainte-Marie-de-Campan where we can restore our energy levels in a café before heading out towards the Col d’Aspin. At just over 12km and with an average gradient of around 5%, the climb gently winds up from the valley floor, through alpine forests before reaching the summit. The descent, with its tight hairpin bends and stunning views, will put a smile on your face the whole way down into the city of Arreau. (B, L)  

Heading out from Arreau, the first climb of the day is the Col de Peyresourde. After almost 10km of ascending, the creperie at the summit will be a very welcome sight, and a must for stopping at for refreshements. A glorious descent down the other side of the Peyresourde brings us into the city of Bagnères-de-Luchon in the Haute-Garonne region. The final climb of the day is the Col de Portet d'Aspet. Although less than 15km long, with an average gradient of just over 4%, it is the last 4km where the real climbing takes place. With the gradient edging up to 17% in places you will certainly feel it in your legs. From here we will continue down into the valley and onwards to Castillon-en-Couserans. (B, L)

Today we will wend our way from Castillon-en-Couserans, through stunning, lush mountain scenery, and over lesser know cols, to arrive in one of our favourite places to stay - Les Deux Velos Cyclo Lodge. (B, D)

Today is relatively short day in the saddle, with the aim of getting to Ax-les-Thermes by early afternoon. Famous for its numerous therapeutic hot springs, which are believed to have been in use since the Roman times, it's a great place to spend the afternoon relaxing and recuperating before the final day of the tour. (B, L)

The final day and the final climb of the tour – the Col de Pailheres. You will ascend over 1280m on this 18km climb with the gradient averaging at almost 7% and steadily increasing towards the top. It is the second highest col in the Pyrenees and a great finale to a week of challenging climbs. Although there is still over 100km left to ride after the summit it is a great relief to know that it is downhill (mostly) all the way to the Mediterranean. Passing through the steep sided and stunning Gorges de Saint-Georges we head up towards Axat before finally heading east into the Pyrénées-Orientales and passing through some of the most famous vineyards of the Languedoc-Roussillon region, such as Maury and Rivesaltes. After what seems like a long, straight, downhill section we will finally meet the Mediterranean at Saint-Marie-Plage where it’s time to take a dip in the sea and celebrate six days of epic cycling and the completion of a memorable challenge. The cycling is not quite over with as it is a short ride back to Perpignan where will we enjoy a group celebratory meal before saying goodbye to the tour leaders who will head home early the next morning. (B, D)

Time to depart for your journey home, or choose to stay on and explore Perpignan and the surrounding area. (B)