PLAN YOUR TRIP | 2026 DATES & PRICES | BEST BIKE PARKS | BY REGION | ACCOMMODATION | FAQ
The Pyrenees, long overshadowed by the Alps, have well and truly come into their own as a mountain biking destination. A huge variety of terrain coupled with top-notch holiday infrastructure provides a bounty of biking opportunities — ride the breathtaking beauty of the Basque Country in the west, the rugged, flow-tastic trails of the backcountry Pyrenees, and the dry, dusty downhill tracks of Andorra’s bike parks in the east. Escape the crowds, ride the Pyrenees!
The Pyrenees stretch for 430 km from the Atlantic in the west to the Mediterranean in the east, forming a natural border between France and Spain. Some of the most spectacular peaks and mountain valleys sit in and around the Parc National des Pyrénées, about 150 km south-west of the region’s largest city, Toulouse. Pau is the transport gateway to the western valleys, while Lourdes — a pilgrimage city that hosted the UCI Downhill World Cup in 2015 — is the jumping-off point for Cauterets and the Pic du Midi.
Mountain biking in the Pyrenees comes with headlines in 2026: Pal Arinsal hosted the UCI MTB World Cup in July, Peyragudes runs lifts from early May to mid-October, and the one big caveat is the Grand Tourmalet — closed all season for lift works. Every operating park, date and price is in the table below. And if you’re still weighing up where to point the van, our mountain biking in France hub compares every region, from the South of France to the Alps.
Plan Your Mountain Biking Trip
Already know where you want to go? Here’s the practical stuff — how to get to the Pyrenees, when the lifts run, and what a day’s riding costs.
Getting there
Toulouse is the main gateway — the region’s biggest airport with the widest choice of flights, and the natural approach for the eastern and central Pyrenees: Ax-les-Thermes is 130 km south, with Luchon and Saint-Lary an easy drive beyond. Tarbes-Lourdes is the closest airport to the Hautes-Pyrénées parks, Pau serves the Vallée d’Ossau for Artouste and Gourette, and Biarritz drops you on the Basque coast for the western Pyrenees.
Wherever you land, hiring a car at the airport is close to essential — the bike parks are strung along separate valleys and public transport between them is thin. If you’d rather be met at arrivals, our airport transfers page covers the options. One thing to know before you plan: distances here are deceptive. The parks sit in parallel valleys connected by high cols, so 30 km on the map can be an hour on the road — pick one base per two or three parks rather than trying to commute the whole range from a single town.
When to ride
The core Pyrenean lift season is short and sharp: 4 July to 30 August, when everything that’s open runs daily. Either side of that, pick your park — Peyragudes and Artouste start weekend lifts from 8 May, Les Angles opens daily from 27 June, and in autumn Pal Arinsal keeps spinning at weekends until 12 October. Away from the lifts, the cross-country riding stretches much longer: valley and Basque coast trails ride well from spring to late autumn, though snow lingers on the high cols into June.
The short season also makes the Pyrenees perfect road-trip country. The parks line up neatly along the range: start at Les Angles near the Mediterranean, hit Ax 3 Domaines and Monts d’Olmes in Ariège, drop into Andorra for Pal Arinsal, then work west through Luchon, Peyragudes, Saint-Lary and Cauterets before finishing in the Vallée d’Ossau at Gourette and Artouste. In peak summer every one of them is open — you could ride a different park every day for a week and a half.
What a lift day costs
Budget €18–28.50 for a day pass at the French parks — Artouste is €18, Gourette €20, Luchon €22, Cauterets €23, Ax 3 Domaines €25, Saint-Lary €26 and Les Angles €28.50 — with Peyragudes at €33 for all lifts and Pal Arinsal top of the pile at €37.50. That’s noticeably cheaper than the Alps, where €25–45 is the going rate. One more cost worth sorting before you travel: bike park crashes are exactly what standard travel policies exclude, so check our MTB travel insurance guide before you ride.
Which bike to bring
An enduro bike is the sweet spot for the Pyrenees. The parks here are less manicured than the Alps — expect natural, rocky trails, rough braking zones and long descents like the 1300 m top-to-bottom at Ax 3 Domaines — and a 150–170 mm bike handles all of it while still letting you pedal into the backcountry. If your trip is built around the Pyrénées Catalanes or the Voie Verte network, a cross-country bike or e-MTB makes more sense, because there are no lifts to do the climbing for you. Whatever you ride, pack proper spares — bike shops are thinner on the ground than in the Alps — and bring a full-face helmet and pads for the bike parks; most hire shops rent protection if you don’t want to fly with yours.
Pyrenees Bike Parks — 2026 Opening Dates & Prices
Pyrenean lift seasons are shorter than the Alps — the core window is 4 July to 30 August — but the exceptions are generous: Artouste runs from May to October, Peyragudes spins the Skyvall on weekends from early May right through to mid-October, and Les Angles adds autumn weekends. One big caveat for 2026: the Grand Tourmalet bike park at Barèges is closed all season for lift works.
| Bike park | 2026 season | Operating pattern | Adult day pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peyragudes / Loudenvielle | 8 May – 18 Oct | Wknds spring/autumn, daily 4 Jul – 30 Aug | €33 all lifts (€28 station only) |
| Artouste | 8 May – 5 Oct | Daily (télécabine) | €18 |
| Les Angles | 27 Jun – 30 Aug | Daily, + autumn wknds | €28.50 |
| Saint-Lary | 27 Jun – 30 Aug | Opening wknd 27–28 Jun, daily from 4 Jul | €26 |
| Ax 3 Domaines | 4 Jul – 30 Aug | Daily | €25 |
| Cauterets | 4 Jul – 30 Aug | Daily | €23 |
| Luchon-Superbagnères | Jun wknds – Sep wknds | Daily 3 Jul – 30 Aug | €22 |
| Gourette | 4 Jul – 30 Aug | Daily | €20 |
| Monts d’Olmes | 4 Jul – 30 Aug | Daily (lifts pause 12:45–14:00) | €18.50 |
| Grand Tourmalet / Pic du Midi | Closed for 2026 | Lift replacement works — reopens 2027 | — |
| Pal Arinsal (Andorra) | 20 Jun – 12 Oct | Daily to 13 Sep, then wknds | €37.50 |
The Best Mountain Biking in the Pyrenees
Thirteen spots make the cut, from lift-served bike parks to huge waymarked cross-country networks. We’ve grouped them by département, running east to west from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, with Andorra to finish. Click the map pins for locations, then read on for the detail.
Pyrénées-Orientales mountain biking
Where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean! The eastern Pyrenees has some exceptional mountain biking through wonderfully varied terrain. Head inland from the coast near Perpignan and you quickly hit the hills, then the high mountains — within 100 km you go from sea level to 2800 m, where mountain resorts such as Les Angles are set up in summer to offer lift-assisted downhill. Cross-country riders will love the Pyrénées Catalanes area with its 690 km of waymarked trails, and family cyclists are well catered for with a network of well-maintained Voie Verte trails running along quiet tracks and canal banks. Nearest airport: Perpignan.
1. Mountain biking in Les Angles
Highest lift: 2150 m
Vertical drop: 500 m
Km of trails: 50
Best for: Downhill
Les Angles is a small bike park in a spectacular setting with a nice mix of runs suitable for beginners through to expert mountain bikers. 50 km of trails weave through 500 m of vertical drop — choose from 5 downhill tracks, including two fast flowy blue runs complete with berms and jumps, a red-graded singletrack run and a technical black trail, plus two enduro trails, a northshore section and family cross-country trails. Lifts spin daily from 27 June to 30 August 2026 (€28.50), with bonus autumn weekends once the main season ends.
2. Mountain biking in the Pyrénées Catalanes
Highest lift: N/A (no lifts)
Vertical drop: N/A
Km of trails: 690
Best for: XC/Enduro
Located in the heart of the Pyrénées Catalanes regional park, the Capcir-Haut Conflent is an FFC mountain bike area with 690 km of waymarked trails. A total of 40 cross-country routes from green to black take in steep valleys, a high wooded plateau, the ancient walled town of Mont-Louis and the Font-Romeu Pyrénées 2000 ski resort. There are also 4 enduro loops, family trails and an MTB skills course — no lift pass required, just legs.
Ariège mountain biking
The department of Ariège in south-west France borders Andorra and Spain and is one of the least populated and most unspoiled parts of the country. The high mountains are easily accessible via good roads, and hundreds of kilometres of waymarked trails let you get deep into the magnificent Pyrenees backcountry. Downhill mountain bikers are well catered for with two ski resorts, Ax 3 Domaines and Monts d’Olmes, providing lift access in the summer months. Nearest airport: Toulouse.
3. Mountain biking in Ax 3 Domaines
Highest lift: 2000 m
Vertical drop: 1300 m
Km of trails: 55
Best for: Downhill
Ax-les-Thermes sits 130 km south of Toulouse, and the Ax 3 Domaines bike park above it is a super little spot for a fun day’s riding. A cable car and a chairlift open up 1300 m of vertical drop and 7 downhill tracks from green to black. The black trail that descends through the trees from the top of the cable car back down to the village combines flowy sections with jumps and freeride features, all on some very nice loamy dirt. Lifts run daily from 4 July to 30 August 2026 and a day pass is €25.
4. Mountain biking in Monts d’Olmes
Highest lift: 1800 m
Vertical drop: 300 m
Km of trails: 13
Best for: Downhill
Monts d’Olmes is a small mountain bike spot with just 13 km of trails — only enough riding to keep you amused for a day or two. But with a mixture of alpine meadows and wooded terrain, the riding is super fun. The resort keeps evolving; currently there are 2 black trails, a red with 2 alternate lines and a blue. Daily from 4 July to 30 August 2026 at €18.50, and note the lifts pause for lunch from 12:45 to 14:00 — this is rural France, after all.
Haute-Garonne mountain biking
The department of Haute-Garonne is named after the Garonne river, which runs from its source in the Spanish Pyrenees through Toulouse and out to the Atlantic. Pic Perdiguère, at 3222 m, is the highest point in Haute-Garonne, and it’s here in the Perdiguero mountain range that you’ll find the best mountain biking. Ride the cross-country trails of the Val d’Astau or hit the gravity runs of the Luchon-Superbagnères bike park. Nearest airport: Toulouse.
5. Mountain biking in Luchon
Highest lift: 1829 m
Vertical drop: 1200 m
Km of trails: 260
Best for: XC/Downhill
The pretty spa town of Luchon in the heart of the Pyrenees has a well-earned reputation as an outdoor sports Mecca. The bike park has lots of potential, but sadly a lack of maintenance means some of the tracks can be difficult to follow. The Superbagnères gondola is quick and efficient, providing access to 1200 m of vertical drop, 3 downhill trails and an enduro track, plus 11 cross-country loops that bring the total riding to 260 km. In 2026 the gondola spins daily from 3 July to 30 August with June and September weekends either side, and a day pass is €22. Get the full picture in our guide to mountain biking in Luchon.
Hautes-Pyrénées mountain biking
The Hautes-Pyrénées are famous among cyclists for having some of the toughest climbs on the Tour de France, including the formidable Col du Tourmalet — and mountain bikers have just as much to get stuck into. The resorts of Cauterets and Saint-Lary cater for downhill riders with fast, technical tracks, Peyragudes runs the longest lift season in France, and the slopes of the legendary Pic du Midi offer a high-mountain freeride adventure (on pause for 2026 — see below). Rest days sort themselves out too, with the Cirque de Gavarnie and the Pont d’Espagne on the doorstep — see our guide to hiking in the Pyrenees. Nearest airport: Tarbes-Lourdes.
6. Mountain biking in Cauterets
Highest lift: 2400 m
Vertical drop: 1500 m
Best for: Downhill
Cauterets is an attractive mountain town in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park, about 1 hour 20 minutes from Pau. The bike park is serviced by a gondola and a chairlift providing 1500 m of vertical drop, with blue, red and black trails snaking down under the lifts from the top of the Cirque du Lys. Ride singletrack intermingled with berms and freeride features, then link up the FFC XC track to complete the descent through the forest back down to town. Lifts run daily from 4 July to 30 August 2026 (€23) — full details in our Cauterets mountain biking guide.
7. Mountain biking the Pic du Midi
2026 season: Closed — reopens 2027
Highest lift: 2877 m
Vertical drop: 1800 m
Best for: Enduro
Straight to it: the Grand Tourmalet bike park and the Pic du Midi descent are closed for the whole of 2026 while the Tournaboup chairlift is replaced by a cable car. Riding resumes in 2027 — and when it does, put it top of your list. A huge 1800 m of vertical drop and 11 km of continuous enduro-style descending await, accessed via the cable car from La Mongie. The top section is like a lunar landscape with boulders and loose scree to negotiate, and the rest of the descent isn’t exactly manicured either — but the splendour of the high mountain scenery more than makes up for it. This is backcountry Pyrenees at its most dramatic.
8. Mountain biking in Saint-Lary
Highest lift: 2051 m
Vertical drop: 411 m (+800 m down to the village)
Km of trails: 16
Best for: Downhill
The benchmark bike park in the French Pyrenees. Access 11 downhill runs from the chairlift at Saint-Lary 1700: warm up on the blue Easy Rider, which blends fast flowy singletrack with fireroad and more engaging forest trail with jumps and berms, then hit the red Full Mountain — a real treat for intermediate riders with decent air time, sneaky gaps and a fantastic high-walled switchback section. Expert riders can get their fill on the black Razorback, which runs through a boulder-strewn forest. Opening weekend is 27–28 June 2026, then daily from 4 July to 30 August (€26). Full details in our Saint-Lary mountain biking guide.
9. Mountain biking in Peyragudes and Loudenvielle
2026 season: 8 May – 18 Oct
Day pass: €33 all lifts (€28 station only)
Best for: Enduro
Loudenvielle has quietly become the enduro hub of the Hautes-Pyrénées, and the Skyvall gondola from the valley floor gives Peyragudes the longest bike park season in France — weekends from 8 May right through to 18 October, with daily lifts from 4 July to 30 August 2026. One caveat worth knowing: outside the peak weeks, the Privilège and Lac chairlifts run on set days only, so the full park isn’t open every operating day. Check the lift calendar before you commit to a long weekend.
Pyrénées-Atlantiques mountain biking
Where the Atlantic meets the Pyrenees, the Pyrénées-Atlantiques cover the French Basque Country and the old Viscounty of Béarn. The mountains, the Basque culture and the stunning coastline combine to make this a fantastic holiday destination, and the riding is hugely varied — big-mountain trails in the Pyrenees, stunning singletrack along the Basque coast, and Basque hospitality and delicious, belly-filling cuisine waiting after an exhilarating day on the bike. There’s far more here than bikes, too — start with our Basque Country adventure guide. Nearest airport: Pau or Biarritz.
10. Mountain biking in Artouste
Highest lift: 2100 m
Vertical drop: 700 m
Best for: Downhill/XC
Artouste sits 1 hour 10 minutes south of Pau in the beautiful Vallée d’Ossau, inside the Pyrenees National Park. The bike park is serviced by a télécabine providing access to 6 downhill tracks covering 700 m of vertical drop, and it runs one of the longest seasons in the range — daily from 8 May to 5 October 2026, with an €18 day pass that makes it the cheapest lift-served riding in the Pyrenees. Module Sport rents downhill bikes near the lift station, and cross-country riders have their pick of 14 waymarked trails from green to black that get you deep into the Vallée d’Ossau.
11. Mountain biking in Gourette
Highest lift: 2200 m
Vertical drop: 600 m
Best for: Downhill/XC
Gourette is located 1 hour 20 minutes south of Pau in the Vallée d’Ossau, and in 2026 the lifts run daily from 4 July to 30 August with a €20 day pass. Access to the mountain biking is via chairlift, and rather than purpose-built trails you mostly ride down the ski runs — with 600 m of vertical drop, it’s fun for an afternoon. Nearby Siala, 4 km from Eaux-Bonnes on the D918, is a better set-up for mountain biking, with decent tracks complete with northshore features, skinnies and jumps.
Andorra mountain biking
The principality of Andorra is a small country nestled between France and Spain, with the Pyrenees providing a stunning backdrop and duty-free prices providing an excuse to shop for bike parts. Andorra is a European hotspot for mountain biking — it’s hosted UCI World Cups from 2013 right up to the 2026 UCI MTB World Cup at Pal Arinsal — and this tiny country has more than its fair share of great riding, whether you’re into downhill, enduro or cross-country. Nearest airport: Toulouse.
12. Mountain biking in Pal Arinsal
Highest lift: 2358 m
Vertical drop: 1058 m
Best for: Downhill/XC
Pal Arinsal — the bike park formerly known as Vallnord — is the gravity centre of Andorra. The town of La Massana is your base: Andorra’s most popular and best-positioned summer town sits directly at the foot of the lifts. As a testament to the quality of the trails, the park has hosted a string of international races, from the 2013 UCI Downhill World Cup to the UCI MTB World Cup on 9–12 July 2026. It’s a great place to ride XC too, with several waymarked trails and some lung-busting routes. Lifts run daily from 20 June to 13 September 2026, then weekends until 12 October — the €37.50 day pass is the priciest in the Pyrenees, and worth it.
13. Mountain biking in Grandvalira – Soldeu
Soldeu DH bike park: Closed permanently since 2018
Best for: E-bike and family riding
A heads-up if you remember the legendary Avet track: the Soldeu downhill bike park closed for good in 2018, and Grandvalira no longer runs a gravity operation. The summer 2026 offer is e-bike circuits and family-friendly riding on the resort’s trails — pleasant enough for a recovery day, but not the reason you’re bringing a downhill bike to Andorra. For lift-served gravity, Pal Arinsal, 20 km away, is where you want to be.
Pyrenees Weather and Trail Conditions
The Pyrenees run 430 km from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, and the weather changes character along the way. The Basque west catches the Atlantic systems — greener hills, richer dirt and a real chance of rain at any time of year. The further east you go, the drier it gets: by the time you reach Les Angles and Andorra you’re riding dry, dusty tracks under a Mediterranean sun. Summer afternoons can build big thunderstorms over the high mountains, so get your riding done early on unstable days. And as anywhere, the trails turn greasy in the wet — back up your dry-weather tyres with something that’ll bite in the mud; a Maxxis Shorty, Michelin Wild Enduro or equivalent spike does the job.
Season-wise, the high parks hold snow late — the 2026 lift calendar tells the story, with most waiting until early July to open — but the valley trails wake up long before that. Spring is prime time in the Basque Country and the lower Ariège valleys, and September, once the crowds and the storm risk have both eased, might be the best month of the lot: Peyragudes, Artouste, Les Angles and Pal Arinsal all keep lifts turning at weekends.
The Pyrenees MTB scene
The scene here is a world away from Morzine’s bike-town buzz — and that’s the point. Outside a race weekend you can ride all day at most Pyrenean parks without queuing for a lift, and the trail crews and bike shops still seem genuinely pleased to see visiting riders. The racing pedigree is real, though: Lourdes hosted the UCI Downhill World Cup back in 2015, and Pal Arinsal brought the UCI MTB World Cup to the range in July 2026. Loudenvielle in particular has bet big on mountain biking — the Skyvall gondola runs from the valley floor, giving lift-served riding from May to mid-October. Ride midweek in September at Peyragudes or Artouste and you’ll have the mountain almost to yourself.
What Your Bike Hire Shop Needs to Know
Renting a bike in the Pyrenees? A few details up front get you a properly set-up bike and save time at the counter, whichever resort or shop you book with:
- Your weight and height, so the frame size and suspension are set up correctly.
- Whether you need a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads — often included in the price.
- Whether you need a repair kit (tube, pump, tyre lever, multitool) — often included, or bring your own.
- Flat or clip-in pedals, and whether you’re bringing your own or want theirs.
- Which side you run your front brake lever.
- Any specific fork, shock or tyre-pressure setup you ride.
Where to Stay for a Mountain Biking Trip in the Pyrenees
Saint-Lary is the obvious base for a bike park holiday — a proper Pyrenean town with the benchmark park right above it. Luchon is the pick for atmosphere: a pretty spa town with a genuine outdoor-sports pedigree and 260 km of riding from the Superbagnères gondola. Cauterets puts you inside the Pyrenees National Park, handy for mixing riding with walks to the Pont d’Espagne. In the east, Les Angles and the villages of the Capcir plateau suit an XC-heavy trip, while over in Andorra, La Massana sits directly at the foot of the Pal Arinsal lifts. And for shoulder-season trips, Loudenvielle is the smart pick — the Skyvall gondola runs from the village, with lifts turning at weekends from early May to mid-October. Use the map below to find somewhere to stay for your trip.
Mountain Biking in the Pyrenees FAQ
Saint-Lary is the benchmark bike park in the French Pyrenees, with Cauterets close behind for gravity riding under the Cirque du Lys. For World Cup-grade gravity, head to Pal Arinsal in Andorra — host of the UCI MTB World Cup in July 2026. Cross-country riders should look to the Pyrénées Catalanes and its 690 km of waymarked trails.
The core season is 4 July to 30 August 2026, when every operating park runs lifts daily. Outside that window, Peyragudes and Artouste start weekend lifts from 8 May, Les Angles opens daily from 27 June, Saint-Lary runs an opening weekend on 27–28 June, and Pal Arinsal keeps going until 12 October — daily to 13 September, then weekends.
No. The Grand Tourmalet bike park and the Pic du Midi enduro descent are closed for the entire 2026 season while the Tournaboup chairlift is replaced by a cable car, with riding due to resume in 2027. Saint-Lary and Peyragudes are the closest alternatives for big-mountain riding in the Hautes-Pyrénées this summer.
Day passes run from €18 at Artouste to €37.50 at Pal Arinsal, with most French parks in the €20–28 bracket: Gourette €20, Luchon €22, Cauterets €23, Ax 3 Domaines €25, Saint-Lary €26 and Les Angles €28.50. That undercuts the Alps, where €25–45 is the going rate for a day in a big bike park.
Toulouse has the widest choice of flights and is the natural gateway to the eastern and central Pyrenees — Ax-les-Thermes is 130 km south, with Luchon and Saint-Lary beyond. Tarbes-Lourdes is closest to Cauterets and the Hautes-Pyrénées, Pau serves Artouste and Gourette in the Vallée d’Ossau, and Biarritz works for the Basque Country and the far west.
No — the Soldeu downhill bike park in Grandvalira closed permanently in 2018. Grandvalira summer riding is now e-bike circuits and family-friendly trails rather than a gravity bike park. For lift-served downhill in Andorra, ride Pal Arinsal, 20 km away, which runs daily from 20 June to 13 September 2026 plus autumn weekends.
Yes — the relaxed atmosphere and quiet trails make the Pyrenees a great place to progress. Les Angles mixes two fast, flowy blue runs with family cross-country trails, the Pyrénées Catalanes has 40 waymarked routes from green to black plus a skills course, and the Voie Verte network of traffic-free paths suits family rides between mountain days.
They’re different trips. The Alps win on scale and infrastructure — the Portes du Soleil alone links 650 km of trails under one lift pass. The Pyrenees counter with empty trails, cheaper day passes and a wilder, more remote feel. If you’ve already done the big Alpine parks and want singletrack to yourself, the Pyrenees deliver.
Please leave a comment below if you need specific advice for your mountain biking trip to the Pyrenees, or if you have any recommendations to help us improve this guide. Happy riding!
Is there a cost to use the mountain bike parks or is it free for everyone?
Hi Karl, thanks for your comment. If you want to use the chairlifts or cable cars to access the trails, then there is usually a charge. An adult day pass is about 15 to 20 euros. If you’re happy to peddle up, then it’s generally free to ride the trails. But, it can be steep, so unless you’ve got an e-bike, getting a liftpass is a good idea..!
[…] mountain biking mecca that is the Pyrenees is easily one of the best kept secrets in the European MTB scene. Everywhere you go, there’s […]
Hi Matt, your page is fantastic! My boyfriend and I are planning on visiting the Pyrenees next week, we really wanted to do some mountain biking out there. Is there anywhere you can recommend now that most of the lifts are shut? We’ve both done a lot of mountain biking in the UK. Thanks so much!
Hi Holly, thanks for your message!
Now that the lifts are closed, I would recommend you either head to Saint-Lary-Soulan in the Vallée d’Aure or drive across the border to Ainsa Zona Zero in Spain. I was in Ainsa recently and the riding is superb.
Here’s a link with more info (in French) on the Vallée d’Aure riding: http://www.mtb-trails-65.com/ You can pick up a map and organise a guide from Vélo Attitude in Saint Lary.
In Ainsa, TT Aventura provide hire bikes and enduro uplifts: http://www.ttaventura.com/
Alternatively, the Vallnord Bike Park in Andorra is open until the 12 October in case you want some lift accessed riding.
Hope that helps, have a great trip!
Matt
Hi we are planning a holiday to Pyrenees next year and I would like to know if there is any easy riding for me (middle aged mom)?!
Hi Joanne, thanks for your message!
You’re in luck, there’s riding for all abilities in the Pyrenees and lots of green runs and family trails if you want to take it easy.
The green and blue trails in Cauterets are really quite accessible (even for moms!) and Luchon has hundreds of kilometres of waymarked trails including a lovely 12 km lift accessed blue trail called La Familiale. Here’s a bit more info:
Cauterets: https://www.ultimatefrance.com/mountain-biking/pyrenees/cauterets
Luchon: https://www.ultimatefrance.com/mountain-biking/pyrenees/luchon
Otherwise, if you’re heading over to the eastern Pyrenees towards Perpignan, there’s a network of well-maintained ‘Voie Verte’ trails running along quiet tracks and canal banks. Here’s a link: http://www.tourisme-midi-pyrenees.com/accueil/a-voir-a-faire/activites-et-detente/vacances-a-velo/decouvrir/promenades-sur-les-voies-vertes
I hope that helps, best of luck with the planning!
Matt
Hi Matt
Thanks a million for this, we have booked the ferry, just need to plan where to stay now, and get a bit fitter! My son races 4X mountain bikes so wants a bit more adventure I assume there are lots of places he could join like minded groups for the day whilst me and his Dad potter along easier trails?
Also is camping good over there or are we best off booking caravans? any suggestions very welcome
Thanks Jo
Hi Jo,
You’re very welcome!
Yes, you may have to book a trip for your son, but there are loads of options for joining a group led by a qualified mountain bike guide. When you know where you’ll be exactly, let me know and I’ll try to recommend a company.
There are lots of beautiful campsites in the Pyrenees. Riverside tent pitches or mobile home accommodation is possible, so it really depends on your budget and whether you wanted to bring your camping gear or not. As an example, here’s a link to a nice campsite just outside Luchon: http://campingaufildeloo.com/ And here’s another in Cauterets: http://www.camping-cabaliros.com/
I hope that gives you a bit more to go on..!
Matt
Hi Matt we are all booked now for mid-July and staying near Cauterets. I’ve been searching online but can’t seem to find a company that he could book with for some ‘proper’ mountain biking guided tour without the oldies! Can you recommend anyone? Cheers Jo
Hi Joanne, great to hear that you’re all booked for July!
You could try contacting Olivier Guix who is based in the Val d’Azun not far from Cauterets and offers half-day or full-day guided mountain biking trips. Tel +33 (0)6 80 04 54 35, email oguix@free.fr, web accompagnateur-pyrenees.blogspot.fr
I hope that works out for you!
Matt