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Tourmalet - accommodation recommendations, please

by simon104
Tue, Jan 14, 2014 13:35
8

Hi All,

Climbing the Tourmalet is the target for myself and a couple of friends this year. At the moment, we're considering Lourdes as our base but I'm told that it's about 17 miles to the start of the Tourmalet climb which is bit long for me as a loosener. Can anyone recommend hotel accommodation they've used in the area which is better situated and is suitable for cyclists (e.g. with bike storage facilities) and which isn't so remote that there's nowhere local to eat and drink in the evenings? Or confirm whether Lourdes has worked fine for them as a base, please? Alternatively, if there's a base that enables Tourmalet to be tackled plus another decent climb within reasonable cycling distance, I'd appreciate the advice.

Thank you.

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8 comments

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Old Cranky | 10 years ago
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I second the recommendation for Argelese Gozost

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Colin Peyresourde | 10 years ago
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When are you thinking of going? It can still be snowed over in May.

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simon104 replied to Colin Peyresourde | 10 years ago
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Thanks for all the responses, much appreciated. We'll be going there for just 3 days at the end of July once the Tour has passed through the Dordogne.

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Colin Peyresourde | 10 years ago
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Try PyreneesMultisport based in Luscan (bottom of the Valley that Bagneres-de-Luchon is in. You can do the Tourmalet, Peyresourde, Aspin, Port Bales, Portet Aspet and Superbagneres all from there. In fact there are very few climbs that are too far away.

You may want to consider which side of the Tourmalet you do. Last year floods washed away Bareges and the roads were closed. I should think it has been repaired by now. But why wait till you get there to find out....so it makes choosing the right location more meaningful.

PMS are run by an English couple whom you can hire bikes from and also have good route maps.

An alternative is the little hotels at St. Marie de Campan. Basic, cheap and bike friendly. At the base of the Aspin, Tourmalet and Horquette D'Ancizan.

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stevemarks | 10 years ago
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Argeles Gazost. Stayed at Logis Bon Repos, has bycycle safe keeping, and a pool. Its handy for Col's de Soulor, Aubisque, Spandalles, Hautacam, and Luz Ardiden. amoungst many others. I can recommend the breakfasts too. Lovely little town with a casino and nice restaurants.

http://www.logishotels.com/hotel/en/midi-pyrenees/hautes-pyrenees/hotel-...

Steve

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asterix | 10 years ago
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You may or may not like Lourdes as a place - I hate it, full of pilgrimage-related tacky gift shops. You could try Luz Ardiden, or Bareges which are much nicer and closer

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Colin Peyresourde replied to asterix | 10 years ago
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asterix wrote:

You may or may not like Lourdes as a place - I hate it, full of pilgrimage-related tacky gift shops. You could try Luz Ardiden, or Bareges which are much nicer and closer

Lourdes is a hole. It always was. Luz is a great shout. I doubt there is much of Bareges left. But you start there then you're half way up the Tourmalet (purists would say that Argeles Gazost is the real start from that side, but Luz is good enough).

Cauterets and Cirque de Gavarnie are also two good rides in that valley. But you'll want to get off and walk to the Cirque. It's pretty magnificent.

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dave atkinson | 10 years ago
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You could try bagneres de bigorre which is at the bottom of the valley up to campan. we stayed in a gite there one time, it's a nice little town. you can go up the aspin from the junction at campan.

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