Cycling Spanish Pyrenees traverse

Itinerary – Cycling Spanish Pyrenees

Day 1: Pick up at Bilbao airport and transfer to Pamplona
Stay at the 4* hotel Tre Reye at walking distance of the city centre.
Stop on the way for a snack dinner (not Incl.).
Late arrival. Day 2: Pamplona- Santa Maria de la Pena:
Prep the bikes in the first part of the morning.
We will follow the quietest streets possible to the east side of Pamplona and will then follow the NA-2420 or the old road of the Pyrenees. This road is not too busy as the motorway nearby is where all the traffic goes.
Also this section is relatively flat so a perfect way to start the trip and warm up the legs.
We will leave the main road to head south to Zangoza, a medieval village famous for the pilgrims crossing the Pyrenees. This place can be a nice spot for lunch. Then we will turn West and will take a nice Aragon backcountry road with 3 short climbs. The end of the ride to hotel follows the gorges of Rio Gallego to your 4* hotel Spa Aguas de los Mallos .
Distance: 125 km Ascent: 1500 m .
Breakfast incl. Lunch and Dinner not incl. Day 3: Santa Maria de la Pena –  Broto
Start your day by enjoying the views of the Mallos de Riglos, huge natural rock sculptures. They consist of a group of vertical structures of conglomerate rock that reach up to 300 metres high, and define a clear and impressive physical border between this part of the pre-Pyrenees mountain range and the Ebro Valley area.
Then you will cross the town of Sabinanigo and will start riding the Pyrenees with your first long climb to Puerto de Cotefablo (1423 m, 725 m of climbing). Then descent the nice village of Broto.
Stay in the 3* hotel Pradas Ordesa.
Distance: 100km Ascent: 1250 m.
Breakfast incl. Lunch and Dinner not incl. Day 4: Broto – Pont de Suert
A challenging mountain stage today, with 3 to 4 climbs, not very famous but of around 500 m each.
The views of Monte Perdido National Park along this stage are breathtaking.
You will finish the ride by climbing Puerto do Bonansa (1380 m) and 422 m of climbing.
Then cycle down to Pont de Suert to your 3* hotel Cotori.
Distance: 130km Ascent: 2500 m.
Breakfast incl. Lunch and Dinner not incl. Day 5: Pont de Suert – Seu d’Urgell
Another mountains stage today and lovely roads as you enter Catalonia Province.
You will pass the villages of Senterada and Sort, many opportunities for a coffee break !
Towards the end of the stage you will climb Port del Canto 1718m, nearly 1000m of climbing over 20 km, demanding on the Wet side! Stay at the 3* hotel Andria.
Distance: 115km Ascent: 2350 m.
Breakfast incl. Lunch and Dinner not incl. Day 6: Seu d’Urgell – Ripoll
Today you will cycle at the foot of Andorra and the villages and views of the Pyrenees from this side are amazing. Collada de Toses is a very long (18km and 750 m of climbing) and scenic climb with a nice wide road with very very little traffic. Stay at the 2* boutique hotel la Trobada,
Distance: 115km Ascent: 1450m.
Breakfast incl. Lunch and Dinner not incl. Day 7 : Ripoll – Girona
Lovely finish to Girona through the country side.
Stay in a nice 4* hotel Nord 1901 in Girona.
Distance: 90km Ascent: 800m.
Breakfast incl. Lunch and Dinner not incl. Day 8: Farewell !
Spend the morning in Girona at your own pace and tranfer to Girona or Barcelona airport.
Breakfast incl.