The Valleys of the Pyrenees in Pictures

A visual guide

An image guide to cycling the valleys of the Pyrenees mountains in France. In August 2010 I wrote a cycling travel blog post describing the valleys of the Pyrenees. Today I offer a pictorial cruise through the same valleys. Perhaps if you can see images grouped by the valleys, it will help you get a feel for where you would want to travel in the Pyrenees. Please read the earlier post at PedalDancer.com: The Valleys of the Pyrenees, for a list of the big bike climbs and Cols in each valley. Now journey from the west to the east through the Pyrenees - enjoy the images here.

*All images by PedalDancer.com from 2001-2010 travels to the Pyrenees and my love of cycling in France.
 
Description: Pyrenees Atlantique: Beach cities, Basque Country, and the Haute Soule
Valley: Valley du Petit Nive [Pays Basque and Bearn]
Region: Aquitane
Department: Navarra & Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Main Towns: St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Oloron-Ste-Marie, (Pau)

Description: Central Pyrenees: charm, majestic scenery, wine and farms
Valley: Vallee d’Aspe & Vallee d’Ossau
Region: Aquitane
Department: Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Main Towns: Pau, Gan, Oloron-Ste-Marie, Arudy, Bielle, Laruns
*this is my favorite area because the Basque country is just to the west and the Tourmalet country is just to the east and this valley is in the middle and just right.

Description: Heart of the Pyrenees - big climbs, big roads, lots of cyclists
Valley: Vallee d’Arrens & Vallee Lavanden
Region: Midi-Pyrenees
Department: Hautes-Pyrenees
Main Towns: Lourdes, Argeles-Gazost, Saint Savin, Arrens-Marsous, Cautarets, Luz-Saint-Sauveur
*my best guess is this is what your are going to expect from cycling in the Pyrenees

Description: Midi-Pyrenees: big cities and small towns, road to the Tourmalet
Valley: Vallee Adour & Campan Valley
Region: Midi-Pyrenees
Department: Hautes-Pyrenees
Main Towns: Bagneres-de-Bigorre, Marie-de-Campan, (Tarbes)

Description: Central Mountains and Cols of the Tour de France, & Tourists
Valley: Vallee d’Aure
Region: Midi-Pyrenees
Department: Hautes-Pyrénées
Main Towns: Arreau, St-Lary-Soulan

Description: Eastern Cols: spa tourist area, hard obscure climbs of the TDF
Valley: Vallee Barrouse &Vallee Luchon
Region: Midi-Pyrenees>
Department: Haute-Garonne & Cataluna
Main Towns: Bagneres-de-Luchon, (Saint Gaudens)
*this is by far my least favorite valley

Description: Ariege: green hills, rivers, steep mountains, unpopulated
Valley: [Couserans & Sabarthes]
Region: Midi-Pyrenees
Department: Ariege
Main Towns: St-Girons, Foix, Massat, Tarascon-s-Ariege, Ax-les-Thermes, (Toulouse)

Description:  Peage, dry rolling hills, wine country, castles to the Mediterranean

The Valleys of the Pyrenees

Where are the best bike rides in France?

Alright I now feel like I have scouted the area of the Pyrenees in France well enough to offer an organizational summary of cycling in the French Pyrenees. If you are interested in going to France to ride your bike, you probably already have an idea of which climbs you have always wanted to ride. Below I offer a quick summary of where the climbs are located and the nearby towns to search for accommodations.

The cycling climbs in the Pyrenees are long, steep, challenging, and extremely rewarding. If you tackle one of the major cols you will have lots of fellow cyclists on the road with you. If you tackle one of the lesser traveled cols, you might only see 4 other cyclists in the day (on a non-TDF day).  I have * my favorite climbs. If you are the kind of traveler who enjoys finding a base for 4-7 days and riding in a different direction day after day - the Pyrenees are for you. You have lots to choose from.

The Pyrenees Mountains run west to east along the length of the border between Spain and France, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. Along the border are the highest peaks, then an area of foothills unfolds before the rolling hills and plains begin to stretch north through France. Running north and south into the range are a series of consecutive valleys. If you base yourself in a valley you will be able to complete the climbs on the south, east or west sides of your location.

This is pretty much how the Pyrenees works for cycling - you need to know your valley. Choose your valley, consider the nearby airport, find your accommodation, mark your rides on a good detailed map, and go. My favorite valley is the Vallee d'Ossau and then the Vallee d'Arrens - they are breathtakingly beautiful. Also the small roads in the foothills are really nice to ride, so don't miss out on those.

Here is a quick summary of the cycling in the Pyrenees, organized by valley, plus some other information you will need about the area to plan (or dream about) your trip: Bonne Journee!

*Post post: For a pictorial journey from west to east through the French Pyrenees, please visit the PedalDancer.com blog post from October 3, 2010 Valleys of  Pyrenees in Pictures

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Description: Coastal West, Basque Country, and the Haute Soule

Valley: Valley du Petit Nive [Pays Basque and Bearn]

Region: Aquitane

Department: Navarra & Pyrénées-Atlantiques

Main Towns: St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Oloron-Ste-Marie, (Pau)

Cols: Col Bagarqui, Pic des Escaliers, Col d’ Arnosteguy, Pic de Guilhers, Col Hourcere, Col de la Pierre St Martin, Col Erroymendi, Col de Ignace, Col d' Ispeguy, Col d’ Haltza, Col du Landerre, Puerto (Port) de Larrau, Lescun/L’Aberouat, Col de Soudet

Airport: Biarrtiz, Bilbao, Bayonne, Dax, Pau

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Description: Central Pyrenees and Wine Country

Valley: Vallee d’Aspe & Vallee d’Ossau

Region: Aquitane

Department: Pyrénées-Atlantiques

Main Towns: Gan, Oloron-Ste-Marie, Arudy, Bielle, Laruns, (Pau)

Cols: Col d’Ichere, *Col de Marie Blanc, *Col d’Aubisque, *Col du Soulor, Col de Couraduque, Col de Spandelles, Col de Burdincurutcheta, Col d’Irau

Airport: Biarrtiz, Bilbao, Pau, Lourdes, Tarbes, Toulouse

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Description: Heart of the Pyrenees and the Cols of the Tour de France

Valley: Vallee d’Arrens & Vallee Lavanden

Region: Midi-Pyrenees

Department: Hautes-Pyrenees

Main Towns: Lourdes, Argeles-Gazost, Saint Savin, Arrens-Marsous, Cautarets, Luz-Saint-Sauveur

Cols: *Col d’Aubisque, *Col du Soulor, *Hautacam, Col de Tramassel, Cauterets, Luz Ardiden, *Col du Tourmalet, Col de Palomieres, Col des Borderas, Spandelles, Col de Coupe, Pont d’Espagne,

Airport: Pau, Lourdes, Tarbes, Toulouse

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Description: Road to the Tourmalet

Valley: Vallee Adour & Campan Valley

Region: Midi-Pyrenees

Department: Hautes-Pyrenees

Main Towns: Bagneres-de-Bigorre, Marie-de-Campan, (Tarbes)

Cols: *Col du Tourmalet, *Col d’Aspin, *Horquette d’Ancizan, Pont d’Espagne, *Hautacam, Cauterets, Luz Ardiden, *Col du Soulor, Spandelles

Airport: Pau, Lourdes, Tarbes, Toulouse

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Description: Central Mountains and the Cols of the Tour de France

Valley: Vallee d’Aure

Region: Midi-Pyrenees

Department: Hautes-Pyrénées

Main Towns: Arreau, St-Lary-Soulan

Cols: *Col d’Aspin, *Horquette d’ Ancizan, Col de Peyresourde, Col de Portet, Le Pla d'Adet

Airport: Pau, Lourdes, Tarbes, Toulouse, Narbonne, Perpignan

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Description: Eastern Mountains

Valley: Vallee Barrouse & Vallee Luchon

Region: Midi-Pyrenees

Department: Haute-Garonne & Cataluna

Main Towns: Bagneres-de-Luchon, (Saint Gaudens)

Cols: Superbagneres, Col du Portillon, Port de Bales, Col d’Azet/Col de Val Louron-Azet, Col de Portet d’Aspet, Col de Mente

Airport: Toulouse, Narbonne, Perpignan

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Description: Steep Green Hills, Eastern Wine Country, Castles to the Mediterranean

Valley: [Couserans & Sabarthes]

Region: Midi-Pyrenees

Department: Ariege

Main Towns: St-Girons, Foix, Massat, Tarascon-s-Ariege, Ax-les-Thermes, (Toulouse)

Cols: Port de Pailheres, Plateau de Bonascre, Plateau de Beille, Ax-3-Domains, Col de la Core, Col de Port

Airport: Toulouse, Narbonne, Perpignan

I just found this other site's map and explanation. I am not the only one who thinks of the Pyrenees in terms of valleys: touradour.com

Road trip to the West Coast of France

I took a road trip through Bearn and the Basque country to the West Coast of France

I honestly think the Pays Basque area of France is one of the most beautiful areas in this country. The Dordogne is spectacular (if you are floating in a kayak on the river), Provence is pleasing (if you are sitting at a nice cafe enjoying a meal), and the Grand Bornand is majestic (if you are on a bicycle), but the Basque area of southwest France is simply beautiful.

The rolling green hills, farms, and vineyards remind me a little of Paso Robles, CA or Sonoma County, CA (in the 1970s), but it has so much more character. I drove from Bearn (Lasseube area), through Oloron-St-Marie, St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Cambo-les-Bains, to St-Jean-De-Luz. I explored around the area (Hendaye, San Sebastian) and return home to my accommodations via the Peage. 

I can definitely recommend riding in the area around St-Jean-Pied-de-Port. There were lots of cyclists there. Hopping cafes, hotels, and some good roads, including the climbs of Col d'Ispeguy, and the Col Brgargui. The Rose wine that is produced in the area is excellent. I have been through the area twice now, and I think it would be a good stay. Some of the Brits fly into Biarritz and work their way east across the Pyrenees. This could be an excellent option. 

Images from Pays Basque Region of France

Images from the Coast

Images from Bearn

* I saw a cyclist in a D Durango, Colorado bike jersey today on my way back to Lasseube. Awesome! Tomorrow I have a big climb planned .... the Col d'Ichere, and the Col de la Marie Blanque.
* Oh also, Monien is a nice town, Mourenx is not, don't get them mixed up, and you won't want to stay near Mourenx, is it an unattractive modern concrete city.  There are lots of vineyards south of Monien.

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