Randonnée pyrenennes

Randonnée Pyrénéenne

Based on a classic route from the Atlantic to Mediterranean coasts, this course takes in beautiful roads and legendary cols as well as more diversions.

TRIP 1: 15th – 22nd September 2012

Using the classic Pyrenean raid as a basis and taking insights from Graeme Fife's Great Road Climbs of the Pyrennees, Rapha have tailored the route to encompass the roads and climbs less travelled as well as the legendary cols of the region.

Enjoy the tranquillity of traffic-less roads, Basque and Gascon cuisine and conquer the legends of the Tour like the Marie Blanque, Tourmalet, Aubisque and Peyresourde.

Key Climbs:
Marie Blanque, Aubisque, Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourde, Col de Portet d’Aspet, Col de Port.

  • Distance: 775km
  • Elevation: 15385m
  • Price: £2,800
  • Arrival Hotel:
    Hotel du Palais
    Avenue de l’Impératrice
    64200 Biarritz
    www.hotel-du-palais.com

DAY 1: BIARRITZ - OLORON-ST MARIE

Distance: 130km
Elevation: 3070m
Key Climbs: Col des Plombieres, Col d’Osquich
The first day serves as a good warm-up, taking us from Biarritz’s Grand Plage into the Pyrenean foothills. After lunch the climbs of the Col des Plombieres and Col d’Osquich set the tone for the days to come. The first night is spent in Oloron St Marie situated at the confluence of two rivers.

DAY 2: OLORON-ST MARIE – ST SAVIN

Distance: 115km
Elevation: 2615m
Key Climbs: Col de Marie Blanque, Col d' Aubisque
From Oloron, the second day of riding sees the start of the real climbing with the five cols including Tour legends Marie Blanque, Aubisque and the Soulor. After a gruelling day in the saddle, our repose for the night is a former coach inn, located in the village of Saint Savin, situated at the foot of the next day’s main obstacle – the Col du Tourmalet. A memorable dinner is promised, courtesy of renowned French chef and patron of the hotel, Jean Pierre Saint-Martin.

DAY 3: ST SAVIN – LUCHON

Distance: 110km
Elevation: 3050m
Key Climbs: Col du Tourmalet, Col de Peyresourde
Day three reads like a classic Tour stage; Tourmalet – Aspin – Peyresourde, and takes us over the highest point of the Randonnee. The night will be spent in the historic spa town of Bagneres-du-Luchon, a town with Roman origins famous for its 48 thermal springs.

DAY 4: LUCHON – ST GIRONS

Distance: 130km
Elevation: 2910m
Key Climbs: Col de Portet d'Aspet, Col du Portillon
After a brief incursion into Spain via the Col de Portillon, today’s route climbs out of the Val d’Aran via the well graded Col de Ment� and heads for the infamous Col de Portet d’Aspet where a small, flower adorned plaque marks the point where Fabio Casartelli tragically died. The route then rolls through lush woodland and sleepy Pyreneen villages before descending into the market town of St Girons, our repose for the night.

DAY 5: ST GIRONS – GINCLA

Distance: 165km
Elevation: 3760m
Key Climbs: Port de Pailheres, Col de Port
Day Five is the queen stage of the Randonnee both in terms of distance and climbing and a route unique to the Rapha Randonees. Riding out of Saint Girons via the Gorges de Ribaoute and climbs of the Col des Caougnous and Col de Port we reach Tarascon. From here the route follows a stunning, undulating parcours along the Route des Corniches, before a rapid descent into Ax-les-Thermes. From there, the towering Port de Pailheres stands as the final obstacle before we arrive in Gincla, a village at the foot of the Montagne de Cabrixa.

DAY 6: GINCLA – COLLIOURE

Distance: 130km
Elevation: 1500m
Key Climbs: Col Palomere, Col d'Aussieres
Having survived day five, the final day of riding takes us out of the mountains to our final destination of Collioure, a former fishing village and favourite subject for artists such as Picasso and Matisse. Five cols varying in difficulty provide the last challenges of the journey as the azure Mediterranean appears on the horizon.

To book this Randonnée call La Fuga on +44 (0)208 144 1441 or email info@lafuga.cc for more info.

Go to the La Fuga website »