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CYCLING TOUR

Pyrenees mountains: from Girona to San Sebastián

ORIGIN - DESTINATION

Girona - San Sebastián

TOTAL DISTANCE

808 km

DAILY AVERAGE

90km, 1900m

DAYS

9 days

DIFFICULTY

Advanced / Epic

Description

What to Expect

This nine-day trans-Pyrenean cycling expedition connects the Mediterranean to the Atlantic through the most iconic roads of Spain and France.

Beginning in Girona, the route builds progressively into high-mountain terrain, linking legendary climbs such as the Tourmalet (2,115 masl), Aubisque (1,709 masl), Peyresourde (1,569 masl), and Bonaigua (2,072 masl).

Riders experience dramatic alpine passes, remote Basque valleys, and culturally rich mountain villages. The journey blends physical challenge with refined accommodations and outstanding regional gastronomy.

Crossing borders multiple times, it delivers both sporting prestige and authentic local character, finishing triumphantly on the shores of San Sebastián.

Duration

9 days, 9 nights

Terrain

Small roads, mountain passes

Daily average

90km, 1900m

Total distance

808 km

Total elevation gain

18,000 m

Level

Advanced /Epic

Hotels

Region

Spain (Catalunya, Basque Country) & France (French Pyrenees)

Season

June to September

Price per person from

2.399€

30% deposit reservation Discounts for members or repeat travelers. Price for group of 6 b

Itinerary

The tour in detail

Arrival in Barcelona and private transfer to Girona, Europe’s cycling capital. After bike setup and a short briefing, we roll straight into a beautiful warm-up loop through rolling vineyards and quiet farm roads south of the city. The climbs of Serres and Mas Llunes are steady and rhythmic, perfect for opening the legs while enjoying wide views over the Empordà countryside. A relaxed yet scenic introduction to an unforgettable Pyrenean crossing.

Ride: Girona Warm-Up Loop – 45km 600m
Accommodation Example: Hotel Carlemany 4*
Meals: Ride Lunch, Dinner 

Leaving Girona behind, the route gradually shifts from Mediterranean landscapes to true mountain terrain. Vall de Llémena offers a peaceful valley ascent through forested slopes before the long and consistent Collada de Capsacosta — a historic Pyrenean pass with beautifully engineered switchbacks. The final kilometers reward riders with expansive mountain views before descending into Camprodon.

Ride: Girona to Camprodon – 85km 1600m
Climbs: Vall de Llémena (600m), Collada de Capsacosta (1,020 m)
Accommodation Example: Hotel Grèvol SPA 4*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A spectacular high-mountain stage dominated by the legendary Coll de la Creueta. The climb rises above the tree line into open alpine scenery, offering dramatic views and a consistent gradient that rewards pacing. The summit marks one of the highest points of the Catalan Pyrenees before a sweeping descent toward La Seu d’Urgell.

Ride: Camprodon to La Seu d’Urgell – 105km 1900m
Climbs: Coll de la Creueta (1,888)

Accommodation Example: Parador de la Seu d’Urgell 4*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

One of the queen stages of the Spanish Pyrenees. The Port del Cantó builds gradually through wooded slopes before the majestic Port de la Bonaigua takes center stage — a high-altitude pass known for sweeping curves and panoramic ridgelines. The descent into the Val d’Aran is long and exhilarating.

Ride: La Seu d’Urgell to Vielha – 120km 2600m
Climbs: Port del Cantó (1,730 m); Port de la Bonaigua (2,072 m)

Accommodation Example: Parador de Vielha 4*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Crossing into France, the terrain becomes unmistakably Tour de France territory. The Col du Portillon provides a scenic border crossing before the classic Col de Peyresourde, known for its rhythm and expansive views. The Col d’Aspin follows with steeper ramps and breathtaking panoramas toward the high peaks.

Ride: Vielha to Sainte-Marie-de-Campan – 92km 2500m
Climbs: Col du Portillon (1,293 m); Col de Peyresourde (1,569 ml); Col d’Aspin (1,489 m)
Accommodation Example: Hotel le Chalet 3*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A mythical stage featuring three of the most iconic climbs in professional cycling. The Col du Tourmalet stands as the undisputed highlight — long, demanding, and legendary. After its summit, the Col de Soulor flows into the spectacular balcony road toward the Col de l’Aubisque, carved dramatically into the mountainside.

Pure Pyrenean grandeur.

Ride: Sainte-Marie-de-Campan to Bielle – 108km 2850m
Climbs: Col du Tourmalet (2,115 m); Col de Soulor (1,474 m; Col de l’Aubisque (1,709 m)
Accommodation Example: Hotel l’Ayguelade 3*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A wilder and more intimate Pyrenean experience unfolds in the French Basque region. The Col de Marie Blanque is famous for its steep final kilometers. A succession of lesser-known but beautifully quiet climbs — Col de Bouesou, Col de Labays, and Col de Souscousse — create a relentless yet rewarding mountain profile. Remote roads and raw scenery define the day.

Ride: Bielle to Larrau – 82km 2700m
Climbs: Col de Marie Blanque (1,035 masl); Col de Bouesou (1,009 m); Col de Labays (1,351 m); Col de Souscousse (1,200 m)
Accommodation Example: Logis Hôtel Etchemaïté 3*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A beautiful cross-border ride through the green heart of the Basque Pyrenees. The Col de Bagargi rises steadily through open pastoral landscapes, while the Col d’Ispeguy offers sweeping views as we re-enter Spain. Rolling terrain guides us into Arizkun, rich in Basque tradition and charm.

Ride: Larrau to Elizondo – 75km 2000m
Climbs: Col de Bagargi (1,327m); Col d’Ispeguy (672 m)
Accommodation Example: Hostal Antxitonea 3*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The final ride flows through lush Basque countryside toward the Atlantic coast. Rolling hills and quiet secondary roads guide us westward before the landscape gradually opens to reveal the Cantabrian Sea. The approach into San Sebastián provides a triumphant and scenic conclusion to this trans-Pyrenean adventure.

 

Today we celebrate the end of the adventure with San Sebastian’s most valuable asset: gastronomy 

Ride: Elizondo to San Sebastián – 96km 1300m
Accommodation Example: Hotel Catalonia Donosti 4*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Choose to fly out of San Sebastian or Bilbao airports, book a private transfer or extend your stay in the North of Spain, enjoying gastronomy, culture and cycling!

What’s included

Full support

Transfers

  • Transfer from Barcelona to Girona
  • Daily luggage transfer (maximum 1 suitcase and 1 backpack per person)

Support

  • Local cycling guides & drivers
  • Support vehicle for mechanical assistance

Accommodation & Meals

  • 9 nights in 3* and 4* hotels
  • Daily breakfast and lunch
  • 9 dinners
  • 1 drink per person during lunches and dinners

Optional extras

  • Bike rental and accessories
  • Private transfers
  • Airport transfers
  • Extra nights at the start or end of the tour

Reviews

What our clients have to say about us

Bike rental

Pick up and ride. We’ll take care of the rest.

Terra BikeTours

Rent Gravel

Versatile bikes designed to combine paved roads, tracks, and dirt paths with comfort and stability.

Terra BikeTours

Road

Lightweight and fast, built for long distances and high performance on asphalt.

Terra BikeTours

Mountain

Ideal for off-road routes, trails, and technical terrain. Maximum control and safety beyond the pavement.

Terra BikeTours

Hybrid

Comfortable and practical, combining the best of city and road bikes. Ideal for leisure rides, commuting, and relaxed routes.

Terra BikeTours

Electric

Pedal-assist bikes that help you go further with less effort. Perfect for long routes, elevation gain, or enjoying the ride at your own pace.

FAQS

Some of your questions might be resolved here

We offer a wide range of cycling tours in Spain, Europe, Morocco and soon in South and Central America including gravel bike tours, road cycling holidays, e-bike tours, guided cycling trips, and self-guided bike adventures. Each itinerary is carefully designed to combine scenic routes, quality accommodations, and authentic local experiences.Can you imagine discovering new routes, meeting people who share your passion, and enjoying unique experiences on two wheels? Our cycling routes and events community is the perfect place for those who believe riding is more than just a sport — it’s freedom, adventure, and connection.
On a guided cycling tour, you ride with an experienced local guide and support vehicle, with full logistical coordination throughout the trip. On a self-guided cycling tour, you ride independently using our GPS routes and digital roadbook, while we handle accommodation bookings, luggage transfers, and on-call support. Both options provide a seamless and fully organized experience.
Yes. Most of our gravel and road cycling tours are designed for cyclists with a moderate fitness level. Daily distances and elevation gains are clearly indicated for each itinerary, and we offer e-bike options for riders who prefer additional support on climbs or longer stages. We believe cycling is for everyone who wants to do it, therefore we have lots of different tours options whatever your level is.
Yes, we can customize any of our itineraries to your needs or interests. We can shorten or extend them, include a visit to any special destination that you don’t want to miss or make sure the route goes through that climb you always dreamt of.
Our cycling tour packages typically include selected hotels, daily luggage transfers, GPS navigation, detailed route notes, a welcome briefing, and ongoing support. Guided tours also include a professional cycling guide and support vehicle. Bike rental (road, gravel, or e-bike) is available or included depending on the itinerary.
We specialize in riding all year round. If you want to ride in winter, Morocco or southern Spain are ideal. Spring and Autumn offer lots of possibilities since the weather is great for riding in numerous places. In the peak of the summer, Northern Europe and the high mountain passes ofthe Alps and Pyrenees are the places to go.
We carefully select high-quality 3★ and 4★ hotels, rural boutique properties, and iconic stays such as Paradores or spa hotels (depending on the itinerary). All accommodations are chosen for comfort, character, and strategic cycling locations.

We classify our tours into four difficulty categories to help you choose the right experience:
Leisure: Shorter daily distances, moderate terrain, and relaxed pacing. Ideal for recreational riders or mixed-ability groups.
Intermediate: Balanced stages with regular climbs and moderate elevation gain. Suitable for cyclists who ride regularly and are comfortable with back-to-back riding days.
Advanced – Longer distances, sustained climbs, and higher elevation gain. Designed for experienced cyclists seeking a physical challenge.
Epic – Demanding routes featuring mountain stages, significant elevation, and longer days on the saddle. Perfect for strong, performance-oriented riders looking for a serious challenge.

Contact

We answer all your questions

Looking for a custom tour?

We’re not afraid to explore new regions, and we’re always eager to cycle through countries we haven’t visited before. This allows us to expand our offerings and introduce our clients to the destinations that interest them most. Since 2005, we’ve cycled extensively through Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, and Portugal, and we’re now looking to add new countries to our experience and catalog, such as Ireland, Norway, Finland, and Slovenia.

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After breakfast, a private transfer returns the group to Ljubljana at 10:00 AM. For those wishing to extend their stay, the capital offers excellent dining, compact cultural sites, and easy onward connections.

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