Spain · Pyrenees

Trans Pyrenees Gravel

Ten nights from San Sebastián to Sant Pere Pescador, across the full Pyrenean arc.

Book this tour See departures
calendar_month Duration 10 nights
route Distance 780 km
hotel Format Hotel to hotel
navigation Riding Guided or GPS
group Group size Max 10 per guide
payments Price From €3,595

About this tour

Trans Pyrenees Gravel — San Sebastián to Sant Pere Pescador.

San Sebastián to Sant Pere Pescador.

Atlantic to Mediterranean on gravel. Eight stages across the Pyrenees — Basque Country, Aragón, Catalunya — from the bay to the sea. The longest and most demanding route in the programme.

Route overview

San Sebastián arrow_forwardElizondo arrow_forwardIsaba arrow_forwardJaca arrow_forwardAínsa arrow_forwardEl Pont de Suert arrow_forwardLa Seu d'Urgell arrow_forwardRipoll arrow_forwardSant Pere Pescador

780 km · 17,000–20,000 m total · San Sebastián → Sant Pere Pescador, Spain

What you get

The riding, and everything around it.

The terrain
Atlantic to Mediterranean

Eight stages across the full Pyrenean arc — Basque hills, high cols, Catalan descents, and the sea.

Accommodation
Mountain hotels

Ten nights in hotels and refuges chosen for location — some in villages with little else around them.

The finish
Sant Pere Pescador, Mediterranean

The last stage ends on the Bay of Roses, at Sant Pere Pescador. After 780 km in the mountains, the sea is a proper arrival.

Day by day

The route, stage by stage.

Day 1 Arrival — San Sebastián, pintxos and a first look

Arrive by the Friday-evening welcome meeting (timed to flights). Early arrivals can join a relaxed intro ride on the city's edge to check legs and bike. Welcome meeting and dinner.

Day 2 San Sebastián → Elizondo — Basque country

A roll through the city and along the seafront — enjoy the flat kilometres, they'll be rare. Then onto gravel and up into the Basque hills, the terrain that makes this tour legendary.

Distance
85 km · 2,500 m
Day 3 Elizondo → Isaba — the Basque at its best

Steep climbs, big ridge lines and long gravel passages above 1,000 m. A brief touch of France and back into Spain — demanding, with some of the tour's best views and descents.

Distance
90 km · 2,600 m
Day 4 Isaba → Jaca — rolling mountain roads

A long, varied day with more down than up but still plenty of work — rolling mountain roads, forest gravel and fun descents. Save something for the final hills into Jaca.

Distance
85 km · 2,095 m
Day 5 Jaca → Aínsa — Zona Zero country

Flow, gravel and challenging passages, with a classic three-stage climb before lunch at the support van. Toward the end you approach the Zona Zero terrain near Aínsa.

Distance
86 km · 1,750 m
Day 6 Rest day — Aínsa

Spa, the medieval quarter and time for bike maintenance. The head guide can offer a short voluntary bonus ride depending on weather and the group's energy.

Day 7 Aínsa → El Pont de Suert — the hardest day

For many the toughest stage: one of the longest climbs of the route, changing terrain, bigger views and riding close to the highest peaks in the Pyrenees. The reward is proportional.

Distance
96 km · 2,900 m
Day 8 El Pont de Suert → La Seu d'Urgell — the longest stage

The longest day — a lot of climbing, but also long descents and easier road sections that keep the momentum. Endurance and pacing are everything.

Distance
118 km · 2,000 m
Day 9 La Seu d'Urgell → Ripoll — the sea in sight

One of the most iconic up-and-down days. Longer climbs, long descents, and the sense of the Mediterranean drawing closer even high in the mountains.

Distance
99 km · 2,100 m
Day 10 Ripoll → Sant Pere Pescador — to the Mediterranean

The most manageable stage, but still a big day. Roll down to the Mediterranean on varied terrain and mark the finish on the Bay of Roses, at Sant Pere Pescador.

Distance
109 km · 1,200 m
Day 11 Departure — Girona / Barcelona

Send the bike ahead (if booked) and take the bus toward Girona or Barcelona — or stay a few days by the Mediterranean on the Bay of Roses.

Distance · Climbing 780 km · 17,000–20,000 m total

How we ride

Guided, or self-guided. Your call, daily.

Guided stage

Ride with the group

Follow the guide across the passes and long descents. The support vehicle is positioned at key points, navigation and logistics are handled — you focus on the riding.

Distance780 km
Climbing17,000–20,000 m
SurfaceGravel, mountain roads, forest tracks
Days8 stages + rest day in Aínsa
GPS self-guided

Your own pace

Load the day's route and set off when you're ready — you control the breaks and stops. The crew is positioned along the route and meets you at the hotel each evening.

FilesGarmin · Wahoo · Komoot
SupportVehicle follows the route
LevelAdventure
ProfileAdvanced — challenging

Every tour is run in English — guiding, daily briefings, route notes and all documents are in English.

What's included

Everything around the ride, handled.

Riding & support
  • check8 riding stages + optional rest-day ride
  • checkExperienced English-speaking guides
  • checkGPS routes for Garmin, Wahoo and Komoot
  • checkDaily evening briefing with maps and elevation profiles
  • checkSupport vehicle with spare parts, spare bike and clothing bag
  • checkMechanic help from the crew — spare parts only at cost
  • checkLuggage transfer hotel to hotel, every stage
  • checkComplimentary PurePower energy powder
Accommodation & food
  • check10 hotel nights in a shared double room
  • check10 × breakfast, 4 × dinner
What makes it memorable
  • checkClosing dinner at Sant Pere Pescador
  • checkShared online photo album
  • checkGravel-Adventure jersey
  • checkLifetime membership of the RIDERS network
Not included
  • removeFlights to / from Spain or France
  • removeLunches
  • removeDrinks
  • removeDinners on free evenings
  • removeTravel and accident insurance (required)
  • removeBike rental (on request)
  • removeSingle-room supplement (on request)

Common questions

Before you book.

What fitness level do I need?

This is our most demanding tour, run as a single Adventure level: expect 5–7 hour days, 1,200–2,900 m of climbing per stage, and the endurance to do it day after day. You don't need to race, but you should be a strong, experienced rider comfortable on loose gravel and big mountain days.

What kind of bike do I need?

A gravel bike (mechanical or e-assist), or a light MTB with suitable tyres and gearing — road bikes and hybrids aren't suitable. Minimum 38 mm tyres (wider is better), tubeless strongly recommended for the loose gravel and high passes, and a low gear around 0.9 for the steep climbs. Have it freshly serviced before you travel.

Can I rent a gravel bike?

Rental along the Pyrenean route is limited, so we recommend bringing your own bike as checked baggage — a good hard case makes the trip more straightforward. Get in touch if you'd like guidance.

Guided or self-guided?

Both. An English-speaking guide leads each stage — useful on the big passes — and GPS files (Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot) are provided so you can ride at your own pace. The support vehicle follows the route regardless.

What if I have a mechanical?

The support vehicle carries tools, spares and a spare bike, and the guides help with repairs — you only pay for parts. As you may be far from the vehicle on remote stages, be able to handle a puncture or chain issue yourself.

Is it suitable for riders over 50?

Most of our riders are 45–65. The mid-tour rest day, the option of the support vehicle and sensible pacing help, but this is a genuinely demanding route — cycling fitness and multi-day experience matter most. Talk to us if you're unsure.

Can I join alone?

Yes — many riders come solo. Groups are 8 to 10 riders per guide and typically international. Accommodation is a shared double room by default; a single-room supplement is available.

Before you go

Practical information.

Getting there

Fly to Bilbao (BIO) — some carriers run direct on Thursdays and Fridays. From Bilbao, a taxi to the start hotel in San Sebastián takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. Return flights can be booked from Girona (GRO, ~40 km from Sant Pere Pescador) or Barcelona (BCN, ~150 km); we arrange shared transfers on the final day.

Bike & equipment

Bring a gravel bike (mechanical or e-assist) or a light MTB with suitable tyres and gearing — road bikes and hybrids aren't suitable. Minimum 38 mm tyres (40–45 mm better), tubeless strongly recommended, and a low gear around 0.9 for the steeper climbs. Have it freshly serviced before you travel and carry a spare tube. Rental can be arranged through a local partner — ask when you book.

Insurance

Comprehensive travel and accident insurance — including medical cover and repatriation — is required and not included. Take out cover that includes cycling before you travel; ask us if you'd like a recommendation.

What to bring

Pack for warm days and cool mountain evenings — the high Pyrenees can drop to 10–12°C. A light packable layer earns its place, and towels and toiletries are provided. Off-bike: comfortable walking shoes and something smart-casual for dinner.

Fitness level

Advanced — challenging. This tour is graded Adventure. You don't need to race, but you should be comfortable riding back-to-back days on mixed terrain. A good benchmark is 70–80 km with 1,000–1,200 m of climbing with energy to spare. See our levels page, or get in touch if you're unsure.

When to go

Departures.

DatesAvailabilityPrice per person
2026
4 – 14 Sep 2026 Open From €3,595
2027
3 – 13 Sep 2027 Open From €3,595

Per person, shared room. Single supplement on request. A deposit secures your place; the balance is due 60 days before departure.

Private & group tours

Six or more riders? We'll plan it around you.

A cycling club, a group of friends or colleagues — we can arrange a private departure on dates that suit you, same route and same support, just your own group. We also run fully custom private tours for smaller groups.

Enquire about a private tour

Also worth considering

From the Journal

Read before you ride.