A fun-filled MTB holiday in the French Pyrenees
| INCLUDED | Transfer from Toulouse 7 nights B&B accomm |
5 days guided mountain biking 6 evening meals |
| NOT INCLUDED | Flights | Drinks with meals |
| OPTIONS | Bike hire | Packed lunches |
| CONDITIONS | For pre-composed groups of 4-7 people |
On this guided XC mountain biking holiday in the French Pyrenees, you’ll experience the endless paths, tracks and trails of a simply stunning mountain environment.
What’s the mountain biking like?
This mountain biking holiday will appeal to any regular mountain biker who loves riding natural trails.
The mountain biking in the Luchon area of the French Pyrenees is varied and challenging, the scenery breath-takingly beautiful and the trails quiet and off the beaten track.
There is an endless variety of trails here, some fast and flowy, others rocky and technical, with long fireroad ascents that will challenge your endurance to off-camber singletrack that will test your balance and your nerve.
Those riders who have the confidence and ability will have the possibility to challenge their skills on the steeper more technical terrain whilst those seeking an easier ride will have route options to suit them.
Is this mountain biking holiday in France for me?
If you are a regular XC mountain biker who has a reasonable level of fitness and a good ‘can do’ attitude then this is the perfect opportunity to improve your form, skills and confidence.
You will be out on the trails typically from 10am to 4pm on the 5 days that you will be riding. But the pace will be up to you. You are on holiday after all!
There will be plenty of stops for refuelling and of course for lunch too, not to mention essential photo-taking breaks. Don’t forget that spare battery and memory card. You’ll need them.
Skills coaching on this mountain bike holiday in France is provided as a matter of course by your professionally qualified guide.
Whether it’s your bike set up, body position or riding technique that is letting you down, you are sure to return home equipped with some hot tips that will help you take your riding to the next level.
Accommodation for your mountain biking holiday in France
Our preferred accommodation for your MTB holiday is a no frills, kick your shoes off and make yourself at home small hotel within walking distance of the centre of Bagnères de Luchon.
See the Accommodation tab for full details.
Should it not be possible to accommodate you at this address we have several other possibilities in the immediate area.
This is an outline itinerary for your XC mountain biking holiday. However, each day’s riding will be decided according to the group’s ability and wishes.
Arrival
Day1
Day2
There are three loops from this village suitable for different skill and fitness levels. Your guides will decide which loop suits different riders, but all 3 of them finish at the cafe where you may well wish to stop for refreshments. This is also where you’ll stop for lunch.
After lunch there will be a more direct route back to Luchon for those guests who are tired and would like to finish early, whilst remaining members of the group can choose to do either a down hill ride or another cross country loop.
Day3
There may be a drink stop at the top of the Col des Ares and lunch will be in one of the small, picturesque villages in the foothills such as Izaut-de-l’hotel. The ride will finish at Saint Pe-D’Ardet where there is a lovely lake where you can swim and enjoy afternoon tea and a cold drink.
Day4
For those who can’t bear to have a day off the bike, there’s also the option of a 3hr skills coaching session from 10am-1pm.
Day5
The descent from here is technically difficult in places, but there are also long sections of flowy twisty riding and three options for the descent down to the Hospice de France which are graded according to rider ability. There will be a lunch stop at Hospice de France and drinks can also be purchased from the restaurant.
After lunch a 10 min fire road climb takes the group to the start of a long twisty mountain descent down to Luchon. The descent is undulating in places and can take 1-2hrs depending on rider ability. You’ll end the ride back down in Luchon where you can stop for a cold refreshing drink at one of the many local bars in town.
Day6
Today is the day that you leave the beautiful Pyrenees. The single transfer back up to Toulouse will be in time for the earliest departures of the group.
Le Lutin – Luchon
Your base for this mountain biking holiday is a relaxed, no frills small hotel with a ‘kick off your shoes and make yourself at home’ vibe.
The accommodation is in a quiet location and yet just a short walk to Luchon town centre and also the outdoor swimming pool and Vaporarium.
You’ve got secure bike storage facilities here as well as bike washing and bike maintenance facilities.
The rooms are basic but practical, some with en suite facilities, others sharing two shower rooms and WCs on the landing.
Russ is renowned for his cooking and his evening meals are legendary. He uses locally sourced produce as much as possible and the three course meals will satisfy even the biggest of appetites.
The breakfast buffet includes cheeses, ham, yoghurt, a variety of cereals, breads, pastries, tea, coffee, hot chocolate …. you get the picture!
Adventure Reviews
A fantastic biking holiday in a beautiful location. Luchon is very relaxed town with a great market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The gite Adventure Creators booked for us had everything we needed, nothing was too much trouble and the food was spot on.
We’d ridden trail centres in the UK and the Pyrenean mountains were definitely a step up for us. But Ian, our guide, made sure the rides met our abilities… And provided expert tuition to push our boundaries as well. I would definitely recommend booking this holiday – which Penny ensured ran smoothly throughout. Thanks!
Struggling with the come down from a superb mountain biking holiday in the French Pyrenees. The riding was superb and the glorious views worth the effort. Ian was our guide. His local knowledge was impressive and he planned each day’s riding in consultation to suit the mood of the group and the ground and weather conditions. He was a patient guide who never underestimated the challenges the Pyrenees can hold for the casual rider but also made sure to provide challenges for everyone in our mixed ability group. He was really observant and stepped in with skills coaching whenever it was needed or requested – I had a couple of eureka moments!
A lovely surprise was his skill and enthusiasm for on the trail bike fitting – so much better than a sterile, shop or gym fit. Like he said, “If I can get you and your bike to perform better together, I can take you to more places and we can have even more fun.” Boy did we have fun!
Our accommodation was a no frills, no standing on ceremony, kick your shoes off and relax with your new riding buddies kind of place. We could make a brew anytime and store our own food/beer in the fridge. Not that you’d need to as Russell’s three course evening meals were fabulous – tasty, filling and nutritious with ingredients sourced from local farms and markets.
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