The emphasis on the ten day coast-to-coast is to build up gradually until the latter part of the trip when the legs are ready for longer distances!
Your Itinerary
Arrival Day - Arrivals from Toulouse airport transferred to Aulus-les-Bains where we assemble bikes and test ride locally. Stay overnight in Aulus-les-Bains.
Transfer Day - Transfer from Aulus to the Atlantic coast (4hrs). Stay overnight near Hendaye.
Day 1: 70 km
- An easy first day to stretch the legs. Starting near Hendaye at Saint-Jean-de-Luz, following the D4 to Sare then Dancharia on the Spanish border, Puerto Otxondo, 570m (*)
- In Spain, continuing on the N121B to Erratzu then back into France. Stay overnight in St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Ispeguy, 672m (*)
Day 2: 85 km
- St-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Spain at Arnuguy then at Auritz following the NA202 to Garaiva, Puerto Ibañeta, 1,057m (*)
- Pass through Ochagavia and following the NA140 eastwards towards Isaba. Stay overnight near Isaba, Alto Laza,1,129m (*)
Day 3: 65km
- Climb out of Isaba along the Vallee de Belagua, heading north to France, Portillo Eraice, 1,578m
- Belagua and into France, Pierre-St-Martin, 1,760m (**)
- on the D441, Labays, 1,351m
- then the D442, Bouzou, 1,009m
- until arriving in Osse-en-Aspe, then north on the N134 to stay near Escot, Houratate, 1,109m
Day 4: 65 km
- Starting from Escot, climb over to Bielle, then follow the valley to Laruns, Marie-Blanque,1,035m (***)
- A hard climb starting on the D918 to Eaux-Bonnes and up, Aubisque, 1,709m (***)
- soon afterwards, descend into Marsous for the overnight stop, Soulor, 1,474m (*)
Day 5: 62 km
- A short descent to Argelès-Gazost head south to Luz-St-Sauveur along the Gave de Pau and up
- descend to for the night in Ste-Marie-de-Campan, Tourmalet, 2,115m (****)
Day 6: 63 km
- Leaving St. Marie climb over into Arreau,Aspin,1,489m (**)
- Taking the D618 out of Arreau into the sizeable Bagneres de Luchon for a leisurely afternoon and the next overnight stay.,Peyresourde,1,569m (***)
Day 7: 130 km
- The longest day after a few easier days, leaving Bagneres and back into Spain over the ,Portillon,1,293m (***)
- decend into Bossost and back to France at St-Biat take the D44, Mente, 1,349m (****)
- then the D618 over the ill-fated, Portet-d'Aspet,1,069m (***)
- descend into Castillon en Couserans then over to Seix and on to the VeloLoco base at Aulus-les-Bains, Core, 1,395m (**)
Day 8: 120 km
- Now we have our climbing legs, three large cols! From our base in Aulus-les-Bains climb, Agnes, 1,580m (***)
- climb again, before descending into Vicdessos along the valley towards Tarascon, Port de Lers,1,517m (**)
- Tarascon take the D20 to avoid the Andorran traffic, Pas de Soulombrie, 911m (**)
- on to Ax-les-Thermes and over to stay near Querigut, Port de Pailheres, 2,001m (***)
Day 9: 110km
- From Querigut, head to Carcanieres les Bains then up, Garavel, 1,513m (***)
- down and over on the D14 towards Catllar, Jau, 1,513m (***)
- After Eus, Marquixanes past Vinca to Bouleternère, head south, Fourtou, 646m (*)
- over towards St. Marsal then descend into Amelie les Bains for the overnight stop , Xatard, 752m (*)
Day 10: 50 km
- From Amelie, head to Le Boulou (by the A9) Sorède, Collioure and finally Banyuls following a straight line towards the Med. for an afternoon by the sea. Tour de la Madeloc, 470m (**). Departure Day - Transfers from Banyuls to Perpignan / Carcassonne and Toulouse airports.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
10 Day Road Crossing trip is 13 days total (12 nights)
- Sat. 14 June - Thurs. 26 June
12 Day Road Crossing trip is 15 days total (14 nights)
- Sat. 6 Sept - Sat. 20 Oct
1995/2245 Euros - The prices shown for the hotel option are per person based on two sharing a room, and includes all evening meals and breakfasts.
950 / 1080 Euros - The price shown above is per person and excludes the costs of accommodation and meals. We make reservations in your name in each hotel (or campsite) and you settle the bill on departure each day.
We will try to reserve your preferred room type and provide approximate costs for each night of the trip before departure.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
France
Spain
Bicycle Touring
Ecotourism
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