The Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean — southern Pyrenees cycle tour

The Pyrenees mountain range spans the border between France and Spain from the Cantabrian Sea to the Mediterranean. This unforgettable and demanding journey has become a classic in cycle touring. In this Collection I propose a west-east journey by road bike, following the southern slopes of the Pyrenees.

Unlike other journeys of this nature, the route stays in Spain and passes through towns. This means you can travel with the promise of rural accommodation, hostels or hotels at the end of each day. With stages over 150 kilometres (90 mi) long and more than 2,500 metres (5,000 ft) of elevation gain, you’ll need a good level of fitness. This Collection splits the 810-kilometre (503-mi) route into seven days but you can access the complete route to create your own version in more or less time.

The trip starts in Hondarribia, on the Cantabrian coast, where it enters the valleys of Navarre. As you head east you’ll leave the Irati Mountains, the Larra Nature Reserve and the Western Valleys Nature Park in the north to reach Aragon. There, you cross the regions of Jacetania, Alto Gallego, Sobrarbe and Ribagorza, always accompanied by the imposing presence of the mountain peaks in the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park. As you enter Catalonia, you’ll discover small valleys that run from north to south, making this part of the route full of ups and downs. The Cadí-Moixeró natural park and the volcanic area of La Garrotxa showcase landscapes of great beauty. The final part of the journey descends towards the sea, passing the majestic lake of Banyoles.

To get to Hondarribia, you have several options, arriving by train or bus, or even by plane, via San Sebastián airport (which is in Hondarribia itself) or Bilbao airport. On arrival, in Roses, you can cycle to nearby Figueres, which has a regional and high-speed train station. The route can also be completed in the opposite direction, leaving Roses and arriving in Hondarribia.

The route is suitable for road or gravel bikes with narrow tyres. It’s important to have a wide range of gears, as there are numerous mountain passes. These slopes are especially challenging with a fully loaded bike. Although the route passes through many towns, make sure you always carry the necessary spare parts and tools to carry out repairs. It’s also advisable to carry food and water so you’ll have enough fuel to tackle the frequent and long climbs.

Spring and autumn are the best times of year to take this trip. The high summer temperatures, even in the Pyrenees, can be challenging, especially in the middle of the day. In addition, there are fewer visitors in spring and autumn, although bear in mind that the Pyrenees is a popular tourist destination almost all year round. In any case, the stages always end in towns and, in many cases, they are county capitals with a wide range of facilities.

You have a major challenge ahead of you: to ride between two seas by following the contour of one of the longest mountain ranges in Europe. You’ll feel a huge sense of achievement after conquering every mountain pass and valley, and spectacular landscapes are your reward.