Pyrenees Tour

We start with pickup in Barcelona at 8:30 a.m. Early departure to make the most of the day and ensure proper rest. A 400 km, 4-hour transfer takes us to our first base camp in the Formigal/Biescas area (Huesca), with a mid-route stop for lunch. We'll settle into a quiet hotel designed for focus. The afternoon is dedicated to bike fitting and adjustment, followed by the official route briefing. The goal is simple: arrive on time, set up without stress, and get full rest before the stages begin.

The day starts with a quick 30-minute transfer (20 km) to the beautiful Lac de Fabrèges, saving your legs for what matters.

This stage is a tribute to cycling's greatest moments: the Col d'Aubisque is the centerpiece of the day. After conquering the pass, the spectacular Cirque de Litor awaits — quiet roads and unique views all the way to Lac d'Estaing, a truly special place.

Watch out for the finale: just when the route seems to ease up, there's one last sting — a punishing 2 km ramp straight up to our hotel in Viscos. The reward: a well-earned rest at the top.

This stage combines the Pyrenees' most exclusive terrain with cycling's greatest glory. The first half takes you through the valleys leading to the monumental Cirques de Gavarnie and Troumouse — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll ride through pristine, untouched landscape, off-limits to the Tour de France as a protected natural reserve, with unique views before passing through the historic Luz-Saint-Sauveur. 

The second half brings the adrenaline: the iconic final climb to Luz Ardiden, the alpine colossus that defines great cycling feats. With 3,600 m of total elevation gain, this is the defining day of the trip — capped with a direct descent back to our hotel in Viscos.

Get ready for the most iconic stage: the Col du Tourmalet, the most climbed mountain pass in Tour de France history. From Luz-Saint-Sauveur, 17 km of legend-forging roads rise to 2,115 m, where the iconic statue of Octave Lapize awaits — the first man to summit it, in 1910.

On the descent, history continues at Sainte-Marie-de-Campan. We stop at the famous fountain marking Eugène Christophe's epic ordeal in 1913, when he was forced to repair his broken fork himself at the local forge — one of cycling's purest stories of grit and determination.

From there, we head to the idyllic Lac de Payolle to begin the ascent of the Hourquette d'Ancizan — an atypical pass that trades drama for beauty: alpine meadows, free-roaming livestock, and a landscape unlike any other on this trip, but just as unforgettable. A long descent brings us into Saint-Lary, closing a stage made for true cycling lovers.

Stage four is a deep dive into the Pyrenees' most hidden beauty — a day of discovery through the stunning Néouvielle Nature Reserve, where winding asphalt threads between high-altitude lakes and granite peaks in a raw, untouched natural setting. The main challenge: the climb to Cap de Long and Lac d'Aumar — adding 61 km and 1,910 m of pure alpine riding.

For the most ambitious, the day holds a legendary bonus: right next to the hotel stands the Col du Portet, introduced in the 2018 Tour de France with Nairo Quintana as its first winner. Those who take on the Portet will finish a 95 km stage with 3,180 m of elevation — numbers worthy of a queen stage.

A short but explosive stage linking Saint-Lary to the historic town of Bagnères-de-Luchon, a recurring destination on the Tour de France. The route opens with the Col d'Azet (Val Louron-Azet), whose opening ramps lead up toward Lac de Loudenvielle — a place that breathes pure Tour de France history. Next comes the legendary Col de Peyresourde, one of the Pyrenees' most traditional giants and the setting for countless great moments since 1910. After a fast descent into Luchon, the grand finale is the climb to Superbagnères — a 2025 Tour de France stage finish with spectacular views. Optional, but highly recommended: taking it on rounds out a stage of 83 km and 2,470 m of elevation that is pure cycling history.

The final stage is a loop starting and finishing in the historic town of Bagnères-de-Luchon, blending the old guard with the modern challenges of the Grande Boucle.

The route opens with the classic Col de Menté, one of the most demanding and storied climbs in Tour de France history. On the descent, we pay an emotional tribute to Olympic champion Fabio Casartelli at his monument — a place of deep memory at the Col d'Aspet junction.

After a quick passage over the Col de Arès, the majestic Port de Balès awaits — a relatively young climb in Tour de France history, forever linked to the memorable 2010 chain-drop incident involving Andy Schleck in his battle with Alberto Contador. From the summit, sweeping views precede a long descent back into Luchon.

At 113 km and close to 3,000 m of elevation, this stage puts an unforgettable final stamp on our Pyrenean adventure — closing the journey surrounded by living cycling history.

After conquering the six iconic stages at the heart of the Pyrenees, riders reach the well-earned end of this intense adventure with Gregario Cycling Tours. Leaving behind the altitude and the challenge of the Tour de France's historic passes, the tour closes with a comfortable road transfer of approximately 450 km back to Barcelona — just under five hours to relax, recover, and savor the satisfaction of having climbed cycling's most legendary roads.