Crossing the Pyrenees by bike: from Collioure to St Jean de Luz

This stage takes you into Ariège, a wild and authentic region. You begin with the ascent of the Col de Jau (1506m) before continuing on to the Col de Garabeil (1264m) and the Col des Moulis (1099m). The day culminates with the Port de Pailhères (2001m), one of the highest passes on the route. Up there, a panoramic view rewards your efforts before the descent to Ax-les-Thermes, your stop for the night.

Additional options (Round trip):

1. Col de Pradel: a small road on the descent from the Port de Pailhères leads to this pretty pass (+14.5km, D+560m).
2. Col du Chioula: a climb that starts just before Ax-les-Thermes (+13km, D+470m)

The queen stage, with over 3,000 meters of elevation gain and three magnificent mountain passes (an easier alternative is possible). First, the beautiful Route des Corniches de l'Ariège awaits you, before climbing the Port de Lers. You descend to the lake of the same name, then ascend the slopes of the Col d'Agnes, which opens the door to one of the wildest parts of the massif: the Couserans. The stage finishes with a climb to the Port de la Core.

1. Corniche Road
2. Port of Lers (1517m)
3. Col d'Agnes (1570m)
4. Port of La Core (1395m)

Variant N4 - 125km - D+2060 - Route des Corniches, Port de Lers, Saint-Girons.

Variant N5 bis - 152km - D+3500 - Plus the Latrape pass after the Col d'Agnes and before the Port de la Core.

A unique and demanding Pyrenean stage featuring the ascent of three legendary Tour de France passes. First, the wooded slopes of the Portet d'Aspet await you before the formidable Col de Menté. Then, a long valley will allow you to stretch your legs before tackling the long Col de Peyresourde, which will take you to its beautiful summit, crossing from Haute-Garonne to Hautes-Pyrénées and on to Germ.

1. Col de Portet d'Aspet (1069m)
2. Col de Menté (1349m)
3. Peyresourde Pass (1569 m)

Variant N5 - 88km - D+2960 - En + Col du Portillon between Col de Menté and Peyresourde.

Variant N5 bis - 104km - D+3300 - Port of Balés in return in addition to Portet d'Aspet, Menté and Peyresourde.

This day is marked by the ascent of the legendary Col du Tourmalet (2115m), the highest point of your journey. Before that, you'll climb the Col d'Aspin (1489m), renowned for its impeccable tarmac and exceptional panoramic views. A descent then takes you to Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, where the demanding climb of the Tourmalet begins. Once at the summit, the reward is immense: a breathtaking landscape before a long descent to Luz-Saint-Sauveur, where you finish the stage.

1. Variant N5: 91km, D+2670m – Addition of the Col d'Azet before continuing with the Aspin and the Tourmalet.

New legendary mountain passes will punctuate this 6th stage. After the Col des Bordères, you'll have the chance to climb the Col du Soulor and the Col d'Aubisque, riding along a magnificent balcony road overlooking the Val d'Azun – enough to make you forget the aches and pains of the effort. Before reaching Oloron-Sainte-Marie, you'll tackle a demanding and typically Pyrenean pass: the Col de Marie Blanque (site of one of Vingegaard's winning attacks on Pogacar during the 2023 Tour de France).

1. Col du Soulor (1474 m)
2. Col d'Aubisque (1709 m)
3. Col de Marie Blanque (1035 m)

Variant N4 - 97km - D+1600 - We keep the Aubisque and the Soulor but without the Col des Bordères and the Col de Marie-Blanque. The stage ends on the plain.

The Pyrénées-Atlantiques region unfolds before you with a challenging mountain pass, but one that offers a well-deserved reward: a superb view of the Spanish border at the Col du Soudet. After a long descent, you climb one of the toughest passes of the crossing, yet less well-known: the Col Bagargiak, with its steep gradients amidst magnificent scenery, before descending into the small village of St Jean le Vieux. Col du Soudet (1540m) / Col Bagargiak (1350m).

1. Col du Soudet (1540m)
2. Bagargiak Pass (1350m)

Variant N4 - 80km - D+1700 - We avoid the Col du Soudet by passing through Montory and the valley.

The final stage before reaching the end of your Pyrenees crossing: the Atlantic Ocean! You'll pass through iconic villages like Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and Espelette, then cross the Gastigarlepoa, Pinodieta, and Saint-Ignace passes. These last mountain passes mark the end of the climb, before you descend towards the ocean. In Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the holiday atmosphere will accompany you all the way to the beach and the Atlantic Ocean. Congratulations on this magnificent adventure!

1. Gastigarlepoa (345m)
2. Pinodieta Pass (176m)
3. Saint Ignace Pass (169m)

Your stay ends in St-Jean-de-Luz at the end of the stage.