Je compte faire la traversée des Pyrénées à vélo cet été, fin juillet, début août.
Je pense faire le trajet d'ouest en est, pour terminer en Méditéranée, sans doute
avec un beau temps chaud plus assuré en fin de parcours.
Si vous avez des suggestions sur le sens du parcours, les arrêts incontournables, les routes,
les cols, les gîtes, les campings, les possibilités de bivouaquer ... vos commentaires sont
les bienvenus !!
Beau projet, fait personnellement en Août 2012, d'Est vers Ouest. Pas de camping pour moi pour être le plus léger possible. Le sens Ouest vers Est semble être le plus pratiqué mais l'autre sens est bien aussi. Attention aux fortes pentes dans les Pyrénées (des pointes à 17%) et bonne chance pour avoir du beau sur tout le trajet. Même en plein été, c'est pas gagné.
Je te conseille le passage par la Hourquette d'Ancizan, le Tourmalet. Pas bcp de circulation sur la traversée des Pyrénées.
Il parait que la traversée coté Espagnol est superbe aussi. Plus chaud, plus sec
Merci Benoit pour ces bons tuyaux ! J'ai aussi visionné ton film. Très intéressant.
Impressionnant comme les routes semblent tranquilles. Comparé aux Alpes, surtout
en s'approchant de l'Italie, où ce sont comme des pistes de course de moto par moment ...
Le temps semblait quand même très clément aussi.
Enfin, je profiterai de ces renseignement pour prévoir les ravitaillement en conséquence,
et les forces pour les cols à 13% !
Salut
En juillet-août normalement il fait beau partout. Côté ouest (Atlantique) il peut y avoir plus de fraîcheur, mais côté est (Méditerranée) les orages sont plus fréquents.
Attention à prendre des vêtements pour la pluie et le froid, même en été. Dans les Pyrénées le climat est très montagnard, donc très variable. Au niveau des cols Il peut neiger même en été, et les grosses pluies ne sont pas rares. il peut faire très beau sur le reste du pays mais les nuages restent coincés sur les montagnes pendant des jours et des jours... Bref on ne sait jamais le temps en avance, j'espère que tu auras un maximum de soleil !
« Ne soyons plus anglais ni français ni allemands. Soyons européens. Ne soyons plus européens, soyons hommes. - Soyons l'humanité. Il nous reste à abdiquer un dernier égoïsme : la patrie. » Victor Hugo
Effectivement, mieux vaut user de prudence en montagne.
Son côté sauvage et imprévisible font partie de son charme.
En espérant que j'aurai la chance que j'ai eu l'été passé en Bourgogne,
dans le Jura et les Alpes, avec 5 semaines d'affilé de soleil et de chaleur,
souvent dépassant les 40C ! A y chercher l'ombre ...
PS, tes photos du GR10 sont superbes et donnent drôlement le goût
de randonner à pied.
Je vais penser à une formule hybride : vélo, avec boucles de treks en montagne,
et petites boucles de trails de course ... s'il reste un peu d'énergie ... ! 😎
d'ouest en est, en principe, les vents dominants vont dans ce sens. mais quand tu arriveras dans l'Aude, il y aura du vent de terre ou de mer ; très rare qu'il n'y ait pas de vent. Ceci dit, il y fait beau, ça compense.
concernant les dénivelés, tu peux ne pas passer par les grands cols. Dans les collines qui précèdent les vraies montagnes, il y a énormément de petites routes, même pas mentionnées sur les cartes routières traditionnelles et très roulables (goudronnées).
Ces collines ont des pentes très raides aussi , mais les sommets plafonnent à moins de 1000 m, donc c'est assez court. Le pays Basque et le Béarn offrent des paysages très jolis et très verts (mais il pleut !) avec des fermes éparpillées qui favorisent les petites routes. Le GPS est assez nécessaire. Les vraies Pyrénées se voient au loin et c'est très agréable comme compagnie.
Côté climat, je pense qu'il faudra se préparer, et rendu là, comme on dit, prendre ça comme ça vient !
Bon de savoir qu'il y ait amplement de belles alternatives aux routes des grands cols. Je ne manquerai pas d'y penser, quand je serai à "bosser" dans les 13-14% du col de Bargagui, que Michel mentionnait précédemment. Mais, je vais sans doute m'y risquer, étant de tempérament plutôt téméraire et aventurier. Aussi, ayant fait les grands cols des Alpes l'an passé chargé comme un mulet, et ayant aimé ça ... , je ne voudrais pas me priver de ce plaisir cet été dans de si belles montagnes. Enfin, au pire aller, je marcherai un peu pour me dégourdir les jambes !
Je te conseille le passage par la Hourquette d'Ancizan, le Tourmalet. Pas bcp de circulation sur la traversée des Pyrénées.
Je ne peux juger de l’intérêt sportif, mais en tout cas au niveau du paysage la Hourquette d'Ancizan est vraiment magnifique. J'adore ce coin.
« Ne soyons plus anglais ni français ni allemands. Soyons européens. Ne soyons plus européens, soyons hommes. - Soyons l'humanité. Il nous reste à abdiquer un dernier égoïsme : la patrie. » Victor Hugo
Je ne manquerai pas d'y voir. Ça a l'air vraiment un beau coin. Aussi, ayant eu comme premier vélo de route un Lemond Tourmalet, je rêve de faire ce col depuis déjà quelques années !
Les pyrenees ça se traverse aussi côté espanol , d'ailleurs la chaîne est beaucoup plus large et variée en Espagne.
Ça permet plus d'option que côté France où on est vite "sorti" des montagnes.
Côté climat , rien a voir car les 3/4 de la chaîne bénéficie d'un climat méditerranéen , seul le pays basque est très arrosé. (Ca n'empêche pas les orages bien sur)
Passer en milieu de chaîne de la France vers l'Espagne c'est un peu comme passer de la Savoie à la haute Provence en une poignée de km.
De mon point de vue c'est plus beau et plus sauvage.
Excellente suggestion, Mazzzz. J'imagine qu'il doit y avoir moyen de croiser du côté espagnol et de retour en France à quelques reprises sur l'étendue de la chaîne ... De quoi faire un beau périple sur mesure ! Ça adonne bien donc que j'aie repris mes livres d'espagnol.
Muchas gracias !
Il a existé un topo écrit par Georges Véron (grand randonneur pyrénéen décédé en 2006) qui décrivait un "tour des pyrenees cyclotouriste " , une boucle Franco espanole de 1500 km si ma mémoire est bonne.
Je pense pas qu'il soit encore édité mais peut être que sur le net...
Les incursions d'un pays à l'autre sont réalisables mais pas forcément interressant es car il y a peu de points de passage et ce sont souvent des "axes a camions" peu agréables pour un cyclo.
À éviter : le pas de la case (Andorre/Ariège), viella ( haute Garonne/Aragon ) , le tunnel de bielsa (hautes Pyrénées / Aragon)
Oui c'est vrai mais il y aussi le Pourtalet, le Somport et d'autres moins connu mais aussi beau, nous avons passer le Pourtalet avec remorque a tandem de France vers Espagne MAGNIFIQUE, mais nos pyrénées sont grandes et tant de choses a voir, bonne prepa.
Bonjour
Je confirme nos Pyrénées sont grandes, tu vas te régaler. d'une vallée à une autre le paysage est différent. Si tu passes par le col de Puymorens ( de l'Ariège aux Pyrénées Oriental) c'est totalement différent, que ce soit au niveau paysage qu'au niveau climat.
Merci Mazzzz pour la référence. J'ai trouvé le site où on vend son bouquin, bien qu'il n'y ait pas beaucoup de détails sur le contenu. Je vais essayer de me renseigner. Pour les intéressés, voir à :
Le "Pas de La case" et "Principauté d'Andorre" sont des Zones détaxées. Donc une horde de bus, de voiture et de moto en week-end et vacances. Et oui le petit jaune ( à consommer avec modération ) pour l'apéro et les clopes 2 fois moins cher qu'en France , ça génère de l'affluence.
Moralité de l'histoire, éviter Ax les thermes et Puymaurens à ces moments là.
Souhaiterais faire la traversée des pyrennes coté francais en mai ou juin 2018 avec quelque amis de 60 ans qui a un programme a m envoyer et des plans merci
Nous avons effectué la traversée des Pyrénées en vélo avec assistance électrique au mois de juillet dernier de Bayonne à Perpignan en passant par les petites…
Dans notre préparation de notre tour de France après avoir fait le tour de la Corse nous aimerions traversé les Pyrénées mais sans toutefois faire tous les…
J'aimerais faire la traversée des Pyrénées de Bayonne a Collioure en passant par les grands cols qui me font réver depuis toujours. Etant limité en temps, je…
Hi,
can anyone give us some tips on how to get to North Cape from Lyon Gerland?
What’s the best route to join the EuroVelo 7?
How many kilometers is it from Lyon to North Cape via EuroVelo 7?
The best month to leave—we’re thinking early May.
Thanks for any advice!
17 days, 1,400 km, and 17,500 m of elevation gain cycling in northern Vietnam! 🇻🇳 🚴🇻🇳
From the misty Fansipan to the breathtaking landscapes of the Ha Giang Loop, from remote villages to vibrant markets...
I cycled through the north of the country, getting up close with its people—through mud, heat, endless mountain passes, and unforgettable encounters.
Most importantly, I discovered a Vietnam far different from the usual tourist circuits.
Join me on this adventure through a video that captures these 17 days of travel. :)
If Vietnam calls to you, come ride a stretch with me!
Another long-time dream of Claudio’s: the Petit Mont Cenis pass and the dam at the eponymous lake.
A place where many Italians, including my father, worked in the 1950s–60s.
Faverges → St-Michel-de-Maurienne → Lanslebourg → Petit Mont Cenis → return. 315 km, 3 days. Bivouac at St-Michel-de-M.
Brouter link
Leg One: Faverges → St-Michel-de-Maurienne
Leg Two: St-Michel → Lanslebourg → Mont Cenis Lake → St-Michel
Leg Three: St-Michel → Faverges
And it finally happened in August 2026: in the Maurienne Valley about the famous cycle route known as the V67
🇷🇼 Cycling in Rwanda: 4 episodes, an off-the-beaten-path adventure
After 3 weeks and nearly 1,200 km by bike across Rwanda, I made 4 videos to share this adventure in a different way: the landscapes, the encounters, the villages… but above all, all those incredible scenes of everyday life.
The 4 episodes are available here:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGnfbxjccWAg
The 4th episode focuses on rural Rwandan life: simple, authentic, and sometimes surprising scenes that you only truly discover when you take the time to travel by bike.
If you have a few minutes, let yourself be transported to Rwanda…
Hi, I'm looking for info on cycling to Nordkapp via the EuroVelo 7. Has anyone done it already, and where’s the best place to start the EuroVelo 7?
Thanks
Hi,
We bought the MSR bike tent model (2-person + large awning that can fit 2 bikes) back in 2005. It’s served us really well, especially during a year-long trip in Africa. Now, one of the poles is broken, and we’d love to replace it since that’s the only issue with the tent—we still love it! The poles are 9.35 mm in diameter, with 8 sections of 49 cm and 2 sections of 28 cm. Total length when assembled: 416 cm. Actually, two large sections are broken: one straight and one curved. It’s a pain to find replacements since this model is no longer sold anywhere.
Would anyone have this model lying around unused and be willing to sell me a pole?
Looking for a female travel companion for a cycling trip (arriving by plane in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and cycling toward Montevideo, Uruguay, returning by plane to France from Buenos Aires, Argentina) – 1,500 km
Hello everyone!
I’m planning a cycling trip across Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, with a departure set for late October, November, or December. I’m looking for a travel companion to share this long-distance adventure with.
Experience:
I already have solid experience in bicycle touring in Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Currently, I maintain excellent physical condition by cycling an average of 250 km over 3 days per week (4 hours a day at 20 km/h).
The trip & the pace:
Daily pace: Between 50 and 80 km per day, to make steady progress while taking time to explore.
Accommodation: Flexible and authentic. We’ll alternate between wild camping, campsites, Warmshowers, small guesthouses, and budget hotels depending on opportunities and the weather.
Looking forward to reading your message and planning this amazing journey together!
Hi everyone,
In early April, I’m redoing the Vélo Francette (La Rochelle to Ouistreham), and then I’d like to cycle along the Cotentin Peninsula (which I don’t know at all), follow the coast up to Cherbourg, and then head back down to at least Saint-Malo. I’d love to know if it’s pleasant for cycling—are the roads nice? Not too windy? What are the must-see spots? Any great campsites? All your tips and advice are more than welcome, and I thank you in advance.
Hi there,
I’m planning to bike to meet some friends in Côte d’Ivoire in early November.
I’ll be starting in Abidjan and heading to Abengourou, which is close to the Ghana border.
I’d like to take the trails. Does anyone have recent info on eastern Côte d’Ivoire?
Any tips, safety advice, or must-see stops? I’m open to all suggestions.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Fx
After testing it for three years across various modes of transport, I’m sharing this video of a bike packing case. It’s made from recycled cardboard and shrink-wrapped, with adjustable thickness and added bubble wrap depending on the level of protection you want.
Installing spacers at the fork and chainstays makes the packaging compact. With the fifteen-odd euros for shrink-wrapping at the airport, this case travels really well.
https://youtu.be/_GDJi-GqmkM
- Low bulk (1.10m x 0.70m x 0.25m for a large frame), it fits vertically in train luggage compartments and the total dimensions (x+y+z) don’t exceed 2.40m.
- Two carrying solutions for public transport and easy handling by airport staff (no more tears in the cardboard from openings).
- Discreet packaging when dealing with bus drivers and train conductors, as it looks like an ordinary parcel.
- No need to return to the starting point to retrieve the case from your outbound trip, which you’d otherwise have to store somewhere, or deal with a bulky cover to pack in your panniers.
- You can still check tire pressure through the plastic film without damaging the packaging too much.
Drawbacks: Around 3 hours for this lengthy and meticulous process—removing the wheels, pedals, handlebars, and derailleur without misaligning them, then securing all components to the frame.
If you get a chance to test it, send me your feedback for future improvements.
I just took a trip in Tunisia from Tozeur to Douz, skirting Chott el Jerid to the south. I’m back with the urge to keep going further south via the 4x4 tracks to connect Douz to Ksar Ghilane. Has anyone driven this route recently or explored southern Tunisia?
Thanks for your tips!
fix
😎Fellow traveling cyclists or not, all of you who love travel, the pleasure of physical effort, nature, beautiful machines, people with true passions they seek to fulfill, and who also enjoy reading great literature about all this—the *200* magazine is for you just as it is for me. I should mention I have no financial or other interest in this (in an era where we accuse our politicians of all sorts of vile interests, I prefer to take precautions). I’ve been subscribed since the beginning, and every three months, I get my 130 pages of dreams (the magazine just went from 110 to 130 pages).
It covers everything from the trans-America route to the TCR (Trans Continental Race) from Belgium to a small town in Turkey, with mind-blowing averages—4,000 km and 80,000 m of elevation gain in 8 days and 15 hours for the winner. Let that sink in, and all of it without assistance—accepting a patch could penalize you. There’s also a story about crossing Iran, encountering one of the world’s most welcoming populations, following in the footsteps of Nicolas Bouvier, as well as retirees leisurely traversing France. The common thread in all these stories? Beautiful writing. Take, for example, a stunning article: *"Passengers of the Cold: From Edinburgh to Thurso, at the very north of Scotland, 550 km of moors, coasts, and icy wind. In Thurso, the road ends at a quay, facing the Orkney Islands. We wanted a November trip, off-season. We wanted to surprise winter. Just before the snow."* A sublime piece on the experience of facing adversity and the chance encounters along the road and in the elements.
Before I embarked on my own bike trips, I dreamed a lot about them—from the Atacama to the Gobi, along the Mekong, and not forgetting France. And now, these 130 pages every quarter keep those dreamy vibes alive through stories written in the most beautiful prose.
I’ll stop here because it might sound like I’m advertising, but if you don’t know *200*, I invite you to discover it. It’ll give you wings for the most incredible challenges or simply reinforce your desire for slow rides with your eyes open to others and nature.
A little news to wrap up: Axel Carion and a friend just broke the record for crossing South America from Colombia to Ushuaia in 59 days. On its own, that doesn’t mean much, but I can’t help it—it makes me dream. You should see how he talks about it, the flashes of that wild nature he’s stored away: a snowstorm at Paso Jama and the surreal sight of the suddenly snow-covered Licancabur!
Luc
PS: The magazine is called *200* because a day’s ride starts at 200 km—well, I’ve never done a ride like that since my longest was 167 km (with 18 kg of luggage, mind you), but why not one day? The magazine will explain how to tackle your first 200, and then the question in conclusion: when will you do your first 300?😏
I’ve got my flight ticket sorted—departing in mid-November and returning in mid-March. I’ll arrive in Santiago and leave from Buenos Aires.
I’ve already been to southern Argentina, specifically Torres del Paine National Park, and I’d love to go back to do the full W trek (I only did the shorter version last time).
I also want to do some hiking and maybe even tackle a summit. I climb and occasionally do some mountaineering, so I’ll definitely be going with a guide.
I plan to start around Temuco in Chile, with the idea of heading toward the lakes, then taking the Carretera Austral.
I’m not sure if I’ll go all the way to Ushuaia—it’s supposed to not be *that* worth it, except for the bragging rights of saying you’ve been to the end of the world.
I saw there are lakes in Argentina too.
I don’t have a precise itinerary, but what I’d love is, once I reach the southernmost point of my trip, to take a mini-cruise to see some wildlife. Any tips for that?
What kind of sleeping bag did you take? Is a 0°C (32°F) one enough?
And one last question: white gas stove or can I get by with my gas stove?
I'm developing a free and open-source web app for planning walking and cycling trips (and even car trips). You can create a route by clicking directly on the map to add waypoints, and it can consist of multiple stages. The app provides tools to edit the stages and the overall route, and to display useful information (distances, altitudes, and elevation changes). A relief profile can be shown as a graph for a specific stage or the entire route.
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
hello fellow cycling enthusiasts
here’s a travel journal of the cycling tour through the Rhône-Alpes Auvergne region by Claudio
zouli
it was the plan
http://cbandiera.free.fr/parcours/auvergne-Ralpes/
the trip was completed
story being posted online soon
1100 km in 11 days
beautiful and varied regions
Hello,
We’d like to go on a 3- to 4-month bike trip starting in December, crossing from Assam (northeast India) to New Delhi via Nepal.
Are there routes with light traffic along the Brahmaputra and through Nepal?
We’re also looking for any info on accommodations, wild camping, local interactions, etc.
Thanks,
Michel
I’m planning to cycle from Morlaix to Brest (via Roscoff and the V45 coastal route). We’ll start riding on August 16th for 13 days (with stops for island visits, surfing, etc.). Is there a lot of traffic at this time of year? I’ve got two kids, 11 and 13, and we don’t like riding in the middle of cars (we’ve already done the Vélomaritime—Caen to Cherbourg—the Loire route from Orléans to Saumur, the Vélodyssée from Nantes to Royans, and the canals like the Nivernais and Bourgogne, where there were plenty of bike-only lanes, which isn’t the case on this route).
Thanks for your help if you’ve already done this route in late August!
Virginie
Hi there,
I’ve been road cycling for several years, and I’m about to switch to gravel in the next few days—I’m waiting for my bike, which should arrive this week.
I’m planning a bikepacking trip in a few weeks along the Véloroute V81, also known as the Vélosud, from Biarritz to Le Barcarès.
Has anyone here already done this route? Any info is welcome, whether it’s about the route itself, gear, or accommodation. I’ll prioritize staying with locals as much as possible. On that note, I just signed up for the brand-new site *Guidon et Couette* ((www.guidon-et-couette.fr)), which offers free accommodation between cyclists across the country, but there’s almost no one listed along my route!
Thanks in advance.
Laurent.
Hi there, I’m planning a cross-Canada bike trip, and I’ve got a question that might seem silly, but could someone tell me how to pack a bike (in a box, with a fragile sticker... I don’t know) for a flight? Thanks in advance!
This summer, we’re planning to cycle along the EV 19 that follows the Meuse River from Langres all the way to Rotterdam.
My question is about getting back to Nantes.
Do any of you know what the best return option might be? I’d love to hear about your experiences.
I saw that FlixBus doesn’t take bikes.
By train, I think it’s possible but would involve multiple local trains.
We were also wondering if there’s a boat from Rotterdam to Saint-Nazaire that could take passengers with bikes.
Any tips or experiences you can share would be really helpful—thanks in advance!
Have a great evening
I’ve gotten used to crossing Europe by bus to return by bike.
It was really convenient to take the bike without having to disassemble it.
But FlixBus no longer accepts bikes...
What alternatives do you know about?
Thanks.
Hi there,
I’m planning to ride the Dutch section of the EuroVelo 19, from Maastricht to Rotterdam.
Since it’s too complicated to bring my bike on the train, I’m looking to rent one locally.
I’d love any tips or bike rental shop recommendations—I’m struggling to find options even in Rotterdam.
The plan is to rent in Rotterdam, take the train to Maastricht with the bike, then cycle back to Rotterdam.
Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!
Nath
I’m planning to build a new touring bike.
I want to prioritize lightness.
That said, I’m tempted by a suspension fork that could offer some comfort on rougher roads.
The recent appearance of gravel suspension forks on the market might meet my needs—at least on paper.
I’m particularly considering the RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork.
Unlike MTB forks, its travel is short: either 30 mm or 40 mm.
It weighs 1400 g, which is 400/500 g more than a steel fork.
Any thoughts or real-world feedback on this?
I’m also wondering about the durability of magnesium (lower leg) for long-distance bike touring.
And what’s the impact of skipping the manufacturer-recommended maintenance every 50 and 200 hours? That’s bound to happen on a long trip unless you carry extra gear.
More generally, how reliable are these kinds of forks?
I’m making an exception and creating a separate post this time, since it’s all about France. In May, we spent a week in Provence, specifically in the Luberon, exploring the cycling routes *Autour du Luberon à Vélo*, the *Véloroute du Calavon* (part of EuroVelo 8), and the shorter *Les Ocres à Vélo* route. Together, they gave us an amazing journey through rolling hills, vineyards, lavender fields still green in spring, and some of the most stunning landscapes in southern France.
It was, of course, the perched villages that impressed us the most. We visited Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lacoste, Lourmarin, Ménerbes, Oppède-le-Vieux, Cucuron, and Lauris. Many of them are among the most beautiful villages in Provence, and it’s hard not to agree with that reputation.
One interesting point is the route of EuroVelo 8 in this part of the region. The official path mainly follows the old railway line of the *Véloroute du Calavon*, which is very comfortable and safe. But in our opinion, cyclists traveling EuroVelo 8 around the Mediterranean would discover even more treasures if the route passed through villages like Bonnieux, Lacoste, or Oppède-le-Vieux.
We were also pleasantly surprised by how safe cycling felt. Most of the route takes small local roads, but traffic is light, drivers are respectful, and road design really takes cyclists into account. It’s one of those places where you can ride peacefully even without separated bike lanes.
Our full story:
Around Luberon by bicycle - the most beautiful villages of Provence
You can also find all our cycling travel stories on the forum:
Cycling Thread - Europe’s most beautiful bike routes
Hi there, we’re a group of 4 cyclists looking to get from Treviso in Italy to Munich with our 4 non-folding bikes. It seems complicated! Are there any solutions? Thanks so much.