PYRENEES (Self-guided)

ITINERARY

• Day 1

  Biarritz:

  A liaison stage to reach the starting point of the tour.
  Hotel check-in, followed by free time to explore Biarritz and its iconic beaches. In the late afternoon, group briefing and welcome cocktail.

• Day 2

  Biarritz – Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (204 km):

  The journey begins through the Basque Country: the Bidassoa Valley, the Basque Corniche, the listed villages of Ainhoa and Espelette, followed by the Ispéguy Pass.
  Arrival in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a fortified town on the Camino de Santiago.

• Day 3

  Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port – Lourdes (224 km):

  A superb mountain day: crossing the Aubisque Pass, the Soulor Pass and the Iraty Forest. Traversing the Bagargui Pass, then arrival in Lourdes, a major pilgrimage site dominated by its famous basilica.

• Day 4

  Lourdes – Vielha (205 km):

  A legendary ride over the Tourmalet Pass and ascent to the Pic du Midi observatory.
  Discovery of the Aspin, Peyresourde and Portillon passes, before reaching the Aran Valley and the Gavarnie cirque.

• Day 5

  Vielha – Andorra la Vella (214 km):

  Crossing the valleys of the Val d’Aran and the Val d’Aneu.
  Passing through the villages of Salardú and Llavorsí, then climbing the Boixols and Bonaigua passes. Arrival in the Principality of Andorra and discovery of its old town.

• Day 6

  Andorra – Vernet-les-Bains (235 km):

  A day between mountains and medieval villages: the Envalira Pass, the Pailhères Pass, the roads of Cathar Country, the Galamus gorges, the Orgues of Ille-sur-Têt, and the Fenouillèdes massif.

• Day 7

  Vernet-les-Bains – Roses (226 km):

  Final riding day between France and Spain.
  Discovery of the Yellow Train valley, the fortified village of Villefranche-de-Conflent, the Odeillo solar furnace, then crossing the Catalan Pyrenees via the Toses Pass. End of the tour on the Mediterranean coast in Roses, within the Cap de Creus Natural Park. Closing dinner by the sea.

• Day 8

  Roses:

  End of the tour and participants’ departure after breakfast.