Pyrenees Self Guided Cycling Tour

– Ride the BIG 5 of the Tour de France in one week –

The five most legendary Tour de France cols (and more!). Four epic riding days. And three difficulty levels. Make one perfect cycling week.
This is the self-guided version of how we – Sabine and Marco, Pyrenees Cycling Guides – organize this trip every season.

Not a generic GPX download. Not a copied Strava route. And not an AI spin of reality.
This is a fully integrated Pyrenees cycling guide, based on years of real experience, for (almost) every rider.

✅ What You’ll Get

• Full 70-page digital cycling guide & itinerary (PDF)
• Three route levels per stage (1000 hm / 2000 hm / 3000 hm)
• GPX files for all routes (12 files)
• Carefully selected base towns (4x)
• Accommodation advice (for hotel, B&B or camping)
• Travel logistics & getting there
• After-the-ride touristic tips
• Tour de France & mountain stories
• Practical on-the-road tips
• Coffee & food stops
• Our 100% satisfaction guarantee

But above all, these 70 pages are built for inspiration and confidence. You can do this!

🏔️ Ride the BIG 5

In just four days you conquer these five most legendary cols (and more!)

• Col du Tourmalet (2,115 m)
• Col d’Aubisque (1,709 m)
• Col du Soulor (1,474 m)
• Col de Peyresourde (1,569 m)
• Col d’Aspin (1,489 m)

These are the climbs that regularly shape Tour de France history and define cycling in the Pyrenees. From the high slopes of the Col du Tourmalet to the flowing ridge road between the Col d’Aubisque and Col du Soulor, and the classic climbs of the Col de Peyresourde and Col d’Aspin, each pass has its own character. We will make sure you experience them from their most epic and beautiful side. We ride these cols every season and the direction truly makes the difference.

🔁 How the Guide Works

Each stage is designed as a loop ride from a carefully chosen base town. First you pick your place to stay. Then you select your ride level (see below) and start your day on the bike.
After the ride, you transfer a short distance to the next town. Check-in – Eat – Sleep – Repeat.

Including travel this itinerary becomes a balanced one-week cycling adventure.

🚴‍♂️Built for All Types of Cyclists

This guide is designed for a wide range of cyclists. That’s why we built three interchangeable routes. Just pick the one that matches your goals;

Level 1: 30-50 km, +/- 1000 hm – You want a shortcut to ride the BIG 5 in just 4 days –

Level 2: 50-75 km, +/- 2000 hm – You want to beat the Pyrenees – You know cycling, we know the rest –

Level 3: 75-100 km, +/- 3000 hm – You want a Tour de France experience – Ride 4 stages like the pro’s – 

This structure allows you to adapt each stage to your fitness and how your legs feel that day. Do you want to ride steady or push yourself?

❔ FAQ

Is this only on the French side of the Pyrenees?
Yes. This guide focuses entirely on the French Pyrenees.

Is this just a collection of GPX routes?
Far from that. The routes are part of a fully structured week, including base towns, logistics and practical advice. Check the example pages we added.

Can I mix the difficulty levels?
Yes. All stages are interchangeable per day. It might even be better for you as some stages and levels overlap a bit, inviting you to step up.

When is the best time to ride the BIG 5?
The shoulder periods around high summer generally offer the best balance between open passes, stable weather and manageable traffic.

What if I prefer more personal support?
If you’d like booking coordination or daily contact during your trip, our Gold Itinerary Support may be a better fit. Or choose one of our other services.

What Pyrenees experience do you have?
Every year we physically guide a couple of riders across the Pyrenees. From coast-to-coast crossings to one-week trips like the BIG 5. And when we do not work we cycle the cols ourselves. So we have our experience, but also that of the other cyclists we guide. All of that combined lets us say; “We know the Pyrenees”.

Why would I need a guide like this?
You do not need it. But it will surely help to get the best out of everything without stress. And that will change something good into something amazing.

Can I use AI, Strava or Komoot to build my cycling itinerary?
Sure, you can. But do you want to spend all those hours getting things right. When you could also have it great while saving all that time with just a small investment?

A Final Word

We hope this guide gives you confidence – and that satisfying feeling of standing on top of the Tourmalet knowing you planned it well.
If you decide to ride the BIG 5, ride them properly. And if the guide doesn’t meet your expectations, you’re covered by our 100% satisfaction guarantee.