The Col du Tourmalet and other cycling challenges in e-bike

Name: The Col du Tourmalet and other cycling challenges in e-bike
Brand: Cyclando
Price: 1276 EUR
Availability: InStock

France

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Tour

E-bike tours, Road cycling holidays

Duration

7 days

Distance

301Km

Self-guided

The beauty of this package is in the freedom it offers: without a guide, you are free to decide the timing, pace, and stops of your journey. Travel freely, travel your way!

3/5 Medium

Moderate, between 35 and 85 kilometers per day with an elevation gain between 300 and 1000 meters.

Loop

The starting point is the same as the ending point, with overnight stays in different hotels and daily stages.

Description

Day 1: Marsous (19 or 35 km; +300/-500 m)
Individual arrival at the first accommodation in the wonderful and untouched Azun Valley. There is the possibility to book a private transfer to Marsous (not included – 30 minutes approx.) from the airport or the train station in Lourdes. The morning will see the delivery of the e-bikes or electric racing bikes, helmets, a puncture repair kit, bicycle cleaning supplies, maps, a detailed description of the route and, if desired, GPS tracks. 24/7 telephone assistance in English and a support vehicle will be at your disposal in case of need. On this first day, you are free to explore the surroundings; we recommend an excursion to the beautiful Estaing Lake, especially popular in summer.

Day 2: Marsous – Bielle (46 km; +1000/-1430 m)
Following a beautiful route on the side of the Azun Valley, through gentle curves and switchbacks, you will arrive at the famous Col du Soulor. Here, unlike the cyclists of the Tour de France, you can stop to admire the magnificent panorama that reaches as far as Spain, with the over 3000 meters of the snow-topped Balaïtous, down to the plains of the Pau river. Following a wonderful panoramic road, you then head towards the equally famous Col d'Aubisque. A long descent will finally take you, through the Ossau Valley to Laruns, from where you continue on flat ground, along the valley floor, to the foot of the Col de Marie-Blanque. Finally, you will arrive in the nearby and delightful village of Bielle, worth exploring.

Day 3: Bielle – Sévignacq-Meyracq (50 km; +900/-1000 m)
The day begins with a fairly steep climb that will take you to the Bénou Plateau, famous for its wonderful country landscapes made up of alpine meadows, stone barns, and pine forests surrounded by the Pyrenees' peaks. From the Col de Marie-Blanque, you will descend through the Aspe Valley, one of the most beautiful in the Pyrenees, partly covered by the wonderful Bager woods, until you cross the Ossau river. You will then return to the Ossau Valley and arrive at Sévignacq-Meyracq, where you will stop for the night. A spa town, Sévignacq-Meyracq is known for its therapeutic baths for rheumatic pains.

Day 4: Sévignacq-Meyracq – Marsous (48 km; +1600/-1100 m or 63 km; +1800/-1300 m)
Today you will discover the Béarnais region, once a hunting ground for the English monarchy and aristocracy, from which, however, the very French Bernese Sauce and the Musketeer D’Artagnan are believed to originate. You will be enchanted by the forests, valleys, streams, and small villages at the foot of the Pyrenees. But this is also a region that offers unique cycling experiences, thanks to its quiet and easy-to-ride roads and numerous opportunities such as stopping to take a photo or have a coffee. The route will then take you back to the Azun Valley, where you can choose between a longer, lower-altitude route, passing through the Col du Soulor, or climbing the Col des Spandelles, considered by the French as one of the greatest cycling challenges of the Tour.

Day 5: Marsous – Sainte-Marie de Campan (57 km; +850/-750 m)
The day begins with a descent towards Argeles-Gazost, an unpretentious town in the Pyrenees, perfect for a coffee break and a walk. The journey continues along the banks of the Pau river and through the wonderful Castelloubon Valley, with its typical villages like Juncalas and Ossun-ez-Angles, its churches, oratories, gentle hills, and roaring streams. You then arrive in the Adour Valley, at Bagnères-de-Bigorre, a quiet town, despite its turbulent history that includes being conquered by Julius Caesar, stormed by the Visigoths and destroyed by earthquakes, and famous for its thermal baths. From here the route takes you up to Sainte-Marie de Campan, where we recommend visiting the Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption church and discovering the Mounaques. You will then stay overnight in a superbly located and recently refurbished hotel, where you will be welcomed with beautiful rooms where sleeping is a pleasure, terraces to relax on, tennis courts, and an indoor swimming pool, all nestled in the beautiful range of the Pyrenees, including the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, towering to the north of the Col du Tourmalet.

Day 6: Sainte-Marie de Campan – Col du Tourmalet – Marsous (65 km; +2050/-1950 m)
Finally, the time for the Col du Tourmalet has arrived, but before undertaking this challenge, we recommend taking the cable car from La Mongie and going up to the Pic du Midi de Bigorre Observatory, recognized as a national natural site for the beauty of its landscapes; we are sure that here you will feel on top of the world. On your e-bikes, you can then take the wonderful road that will take you to climb the over 2000 meters of the legendary Col du Tourmalet. Once at the top, you will be rewarded with the magnificent view and the pleasant descent towards Pays Toy and the spa town of Luz-saint-Sauveur. The last stretch of the route follows the Pau river before arriving at the pretty village of St-Savin, with its beautiful UNESCO site abbey. The stage ends back at Marsous.

Day 7: Marsous
After breakfast, end of services. Possibility to book a transfer (not included) to the airport or train station in Lourdes.

By choosing to travel by bike with us, you help us make the world a better place: we plant a tree for every trip sold

Why book online on Cyclando?

Because we guarantee you the lowest price and if your tour is not available or confirmed, you can always opt for the refund of the amount paid, or choose another tripfrom the over 800 on the platform.

Our cancellation insurance is the most advantageous you will find around!

Cancel for any reason

Trip cancellation for any documentable reason: pregnancy, illness, work and more, guaranteed.

Coverage of all costs

Full insurance covers all travel costs and penalties from companies, without worries.

Refund in 7 days

With Smart Claims, we guarantee fast refunds in just 7 days for complete peace of mind.

✅ What is included in the trip?

Travel/Medical Insurance 24/24
Overnight stay and breakfast
Luggage transfer
Local telephone assistance 7/7
Detailed description and maps of the itinerary
GPS or navigation APP
6 dinners (drinks not included)

❌ What is not included?

Transfers not listed as "Included"
City tax
Tips
Journey to/from the starting point of the tour
Meals and drinks not listed as "Included"
Bike rental
Extras
Entrance fees, ferries and anything not listed as "Included"
Welcome briefing

💸 Cancellation fees

Time Range
Full refund
More 32 days of departure
90%
From 32 to 31 days before departure
75%
From 31 to 21 days before departure
50%
From 21 to 14 days before departure
25%
From 14 to 7 days before departure
10%