Elevation of the route
Waytypes of the cycle route
Surface of the cycle route
The Vélosud: 650km along the Pyrenees, on gentle slopes
General information
- Types of cycle paths: most of this cycle route is along roads shared with motorized traffic (in the main leading you via quiet minor roads), but it also boasts around 33% on cycle paths (either greenways – voies vertes in French – or cycle paths, or then cycle lanes).
- Signposting: relevant signs are in place along the whole cycle route, indicating the number V81 for this national cycle route; you may also find the name La Vélosud indicated, along with the route logo.
- Shifts in altitude: the Vélosud cycle route is relatively hilly, totalling 5,900m of positive shift in altitude if you count the whole route. Given that, it is a cycling adventure for more experienced cyclists, but the level of difficulty can be eased if you opt for an electric bike (un vélo à assistance électrique in French, often abbreviated to VAE).
Trains and transport
Reaching the starting point (Biarritz) :
- Biarritz railway station: high-speed TGV trains (line Bordeaux-Hendaye - 2hr 04 average journey time); Intercités trains; and regional TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine trains (on these last, you can transport your bike for free). There’s a 5km cycle link from the railway station, inland, to the resort’s main central beach, the Grande Plage de Biarritz.
Leaving from the end of the route (Le Barcarès) :
- Rivesaltes railway station: TER Occitanie regional trains (you can transport your bike for free on these) towards Narbonne (0hr 38mins average journey time) or Toulouse (2hr 13 average journey time).
- Perpignan railway station: TER Occitanie regional trains (you can transport your bike for free on these) towards Narbonne (0h44 on average) and to Toulouse (2h28 on average) by TER or Intercités (transport of bicycles by reservation).
As a reminder, if boarding a train without dismantling your bike: on Intercités and TGV Inoui trains, you need to book a space for your bike in advance and pay for it (€10 at time of writing), while you can transport your bike for free on TER regional trains. Also consult our dedicated page "Travelling by train with your bike in France".
Connections with further cycle routes
The Vélosud is linked to four other major cycle routes (véloroutes in French) along its way:
- From Biarritz (start point): La Vélodyssée - EuroVelo 1
- Between Urt and Escos (for 40km): shared section with the Scandibérique - EuroVelo 3
- At Lannemezan: for the Vallée de La Baïse cycle route
- At Le Barcarès (end point): La Méditerranée à Vélo - EuroVelo 8
Find more information on further cycle routes through the Pyrenees on the website Les Pyrénées à vélo
Biarritz / Urt
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Urt / Salies-de-Béarn
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Salies-de-Béarn / Orthez
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Orthez / Pau
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Pau / Lourdes
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Lourdes / Lannemezan
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Lannemezan / Saint-Gaudens
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Saint-Gaudens / Saint-Girons
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Saint-Girons / Foix
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Foix / Mirepoix
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Mirepoix / Couiza
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Couiza / Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet
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Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet / Barcarès
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Travellers’ reviews