
About this tour
An 18-Day Motorcycle Journey through Spain & France. Experience one of Europe's greatest motorcycle adventures as we explore the spectacular Pyrenees of Spain and France. Over 18 unforgettable days you'll ride legendary mountain passes, carve through breathtaking gorges, discover medieval villages, and experience the relaxed lifestyle, outstanding cuisine and warm hospitality that make this corner of Europe so special. From the iconic Col du Tourmalet and Col d'Aubisque to the towering Gorge du Tarn, every day has been carefully crafted to deliver incredible roads, unforgettable scenery and memorable experiences—shared with a small group of like-minded riders
18 Days | Barcelona to Barcelona | June 2027
Starting and finishing in vibrant Barcelona, this carefully crafted 18-day motorcycle adventure takes you deep into the heart of the Spanish and French Pyrenees before exploring the dramatic landscapes of the Gorge du Tarn and the rolling countryside of southern France.
The riding is simply exceptional. You'll experience many of Europe's most celebrated mountain roads, including the legendary Col du Tourmalet, Col d'Aubisque, Col du Pourtalet, and a collection of lesser-known roads that are every bit as rewarding. Expect flowing mountain curves, perfectly engineered switchbacks, quiet country lanes and breathtaking alpine scenery that make every day in the saddle a highlight.
But this tour is about far more than the roads.
You'll wander through beautifully preserved medieval villages such as Besalú, Solsona and Carcassonne, explore the remarkable rock formations of the Gorge du Tarn, admire the engineering masterpiece of the Millau Viaduct, and enjoy authentic local cuisine in regions renowned for their food and wine.
Like every Open Road Motorcycle Tour, this journey is designed for riders who appreciate the complete experience. We travel in small groups, stay in carefully selected boutique hotels full of local character, enjoy relaxed evenings over exceptional regional food, and take the time to experience each destination rather than simply ride through it.
With experienced Kiwi tour leaders, quality motorcycles and every detail professionally organised, all you need to do is enjoy some of the finest riding Europe has to offer.
Whether you've always dreamed of riding the Pyrenees or you're returning to discover them all over again, the Tour de Pyrenees & Gorge du Tarn promises unforgettable roads, incredible scenery, wonderful food and friendships that last long after the journey ends.
- 18 Days
- 3 Countries (Spain, Andorra, France)
- 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (or more if you count them all)
- Bucket-list mountain passes
- Boutique accommodation throughout
- Small groups
Ride. Explore. Repeat.
Included in your tour
- 18 Nights in superb quality boutique hotels or comfortable mountain lodges
- All breakfasts & most dinners (excluding rest days)
- Your choice of Motorcycle from our fleet of modern well-maintained machines with top box and side panniers
- 2 Experienced guides to show you the way
- Comprehensive Motorcycle Insurance
- Airport/hotel transfers pre/post tour
- Tour Map & Souvenir T-Shirt
Highlights
- The vibrant city of Barcelona
- Montserrat Monastery
- Tourmalet, Aubisque and Pourtalet mountain passes
- The beautiful medieval city of Carcassone
- Gorges du Tarn & Gorges de L'Ardeche
- Millau Viaduct
- Cevennes & Causses National Parks
- The thrilling roads of the Pyrenees
- The incredible scenery of Spain & France
Not included
- Air flights, personal travel insurance, lunch & dinner on rest days, toll fees, fuel & personal spending & any additional excursions not stated above
Day by day
Where each day takes you. Open a day for the roads, the stops and its map.
Day 1 of 18
Touch down in the vibrant Mediterranean capital and settle into our base hotel. After a chance to relax, step outside into one of Europe’s most captivating cities. Barcelona hums with energy — Gaudí’s whimsical architecture, tree-lined boulevards, lively tapas bars, and the shimmer of the sea. Whether you wander the Gothic Quarter, admire Gaudí's masterpieces or simply enjoy a glass of wine on a sunny terrace, today is about soaking up the atmosphere and easing into adventure.
After a comprehensive tour briefing, we collect our motorcycles and head into the Catalan countryside for an easy familiarisation ride, giving everyone a chance to settle into the motorcycles before the real adventure begins. Tonight we gather for our first group dinner, where great food, Spanish wine and plenty of anticipation set the tone for the adventure ahead.
Barcelona to Solsona
Today the adventure truly begins. Leaving the bustle of Barcelona behind, we carve our way into the spectacular Montserrat Natural Park, where the winding mountain road climbs towards one of Catalonia's most iconic landscapes. The jagged limestone peaks form one of the region's most renowned skylines. The roads here are a rider’s dream, winding past sheer cliffs and hidden monasteries. We continue north to the medieval stronghold of Cardona, before rolling into Solsona, a charming old village with cobbled streets and Gothic architecture.
Solsona to Alquezar
Today delivers one of those rides that reminds you exactly why you came to the Pyrenees. The landscape unfolds in dramatic fashion: mountain passes, turquoise lakes, deep gorges and rocky ridgelines that seem made for two wheels. We cross from Catalonia into Aragón, tracing roads that twist past ancient monasteries and timeless villages. By afternoon we arrive at Alquézar, a UNESCO World Heritage site where cobblestone lanes and honey-coloured stone houses feel like stepping back into the Middle Ages.
Alquezar to Olite
This morning’s ride sweeps us through the wild beauty of the Ordesa & Monte Perdido National Park, where towering peaks and plunging valleys create a dramatic stage for the road. We follow the narrow curves of the Añisclo Gorge, a spectacular chasm carved over millennia by the Bellós River — a route that feels almost sculpted for motorcycles. By evening we reach Olite, a charming medieval wine town in northern Spain, famous for its Royal Palace of Olite, cobblestone streets, and local vineyards
Olite to Larrede
Today's ride is all about discovering the hidden Pyrenees. Quiet mountain roads thread through ancient forests and tiny villages before we briefly cross into France via the spectacular Larra-Belagua Pass, where wild horses and grazing cattle often share the landscape. We then climb the historic Somport Pass, before looping back via the magnificent Canfranc Railway Station, once Europe’s largest and now reborn as an exclusive hotel. Tonight we’ll enjoy a wonderful group meal on the balcony of our hotel, taking in the sunset and the sweeping mountain views.
A chance to relax in the heart of the Pyrenees. For those who wish, a short walk leads to the Torraza de Larredé, a 15th-century watchtower with commanding views across the Huesca Valley. Electric bicycles are available to explore the countryside, or simply enjoy the spa, gardens, and peaceful charm of our hotel. Alternatively, a day relaxing by the pool may be just what you need.
Larrede to Saint-Lary-Soulan
If there's a signature day of riding on this tour, this might just be it. Today is the kind of riding most motorcyclists dream about. We cross from Spain into France again,tackling a legendary trio of high mountain passes: Col du Pourtalet, Col d'Aubisque and the mighty Col du Tourmalet. Famous for their role in the Tour de France, these iconic climbs are a feast of switchbacks, ridgelines, and panoramic views that stretch forever. Tonight we stay in the scenic valley of Espiaube, welcomed with warm Pyrenean hospitality, surrounded by lush pine forests, panoramic alpine views and dramatic mountain scenery.
Saint-Lary-Soulan to La Seu d'Urgell
Crossing back into Spain, the roads snake over the Col du Portillon, dropping us into the Aran Valley, where stone villages huddle beneath a backdrop of towering peaks. Each curve reveals new vistas — glacial rivers, alpine meadows, and snow-dusted summits. Our base tonight is the Parador de La Seu d'Urgell, once a convent and now transformed into a stylish refuge steeped in history. Set beside elegant arcaded streets and the town's magnificent Romanesque cathedral, it's the perfect place to relax after another memorable day in the Pyrenees.
La Seu d'Urgell to Carcassonne
A day of contrasts as we cross three borders — Spain, Andorra, and France — in a single ride. Andorra is the smallest country on our tour and its high valleys soon give way to the rugged landscapes of Cathar country, where ruined castles cling to rocky pinnacles and medieval villages dot the hillsides. By evening, the fairy-tale walls of Carcassonne rise before us. Our hotel tonight is a stone’s throw from the gates of the citadel.
Today is yours to wander the remarkable medieval citadel of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage site with over 50 watchtowers and double ramparts. Walk the cobblestone streets, explore hidden courtyards, or circle the battlements for sweeping views across Languedoc. In the evening, relax in a café and try the local specialty, cassoulet — slow-cooked, hearty, and utterly delicious.
Carcassonne to La Malene
We head deeper into southern France through the wild landscapes of the Grand Causses and Cévennes National Parks. Before reaching the spectacular Gorges du Tarn, one of Europe's great gorge rides, we pass beneath the Millau Viaduct, the world's tallest bridge, soaring gracefully high above the valley floor. Our route then follows the spectacular Gorges du Tarn, where the road winds effortlessly between towering limestone cliffs and the crystal-clear waters of the Tarn River. Tonight we stay at the elegant Manoir de Montesquiou, the Château de La Malène, where dinner is served in the garden beneath the castle walls, with magnificent views across the river to the towering cliffs opposite.
La Malene to Uzes
This morning we enjoy a glorious ride further along the Gorge du Tarn and through the rolling forests of the Cévennes before arriving at the Gorges de l’Ardèche. Here, the road sweeps along chalk-white cliffs above the river, a playground of bends with spectacular views at every turn. Later, we stop at the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct over 2,000 years old and one of France’s most iconic monuments. We end the day in the elegant town of Uzès, close to the medieval heart of town.
Uzes to Assignan
Our route today leads into the extraordinary Cirque de Navacelles, one of France's most spectacular natural wonders—a giant horseshoe-shaped canyon carved 300 metres into the limestone plateau. The roads twist dramatically down into the gorge before climbing out again — a feast of scenery and curves. By afternoon we reach Assignan, a wine village reborn as a boutique retreat, surrounded by vineyards. Rather than one hotel, tonight our accommodation is spread throughout the beautifully restored stone buildings of the village itself.
A final pause in our journey, with the day free to relax and indulge. Unwind by the pool, explore the village by bicycle, or join a guided tour and tasting at the Château Castigno wine cellars. With its colourful façades, art-filled alleys, and fine dining options, Assignan is a place to savour at leisure.
Assignan to Besalu
We ride south once more, tracing the rugged landscapes of Cathar country. One of today's highlights is the Gorges du Galamus, one of southern France's most dramatic roads—a narrow limestone canyon where the road squeezes between sheer cliffs and the river far below. Crossing into Catalonia, the mountains rise again as we reach Besalú, one of Spain’s most picturesque medieval towns. Our stay at Casa Marcial offers a blend of tradition and modern comfort, complete with a pool for a well-earned swim.
Besalu to Collada de Toses
Today's luggage-free ride lets us simply enjoy the motorcycles and explore the lesser-known corners of the Alto Garrotxa region. The legendary N-260 beckons once again. Regarded by many as Spain's greatest motorcycling road, this unforgettable stretch dances across the mountains with an endless succession of perfectly engineered bends, forested slopes and spectacular views. We pause in Beget, a storybook stone village hidden among the hills, before looping back to Besalú for a second night at Casa Marcial.
Besalu to Barcelona
Our final ride takes us through the lush forests of the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park, a fitting finale of winding roads and mountain scenery before descending back into the bustle of Barcelona. As the sun sets over Barcelona, we celebrate an unforgettable journey across the Pyrenees and southern France, incredible roads, lasting friendships and memories that wil lstay with us long after the helmets are packed away.
Photos from this tour
Taken on the road by us and by riders on this route.
Departure dates
Sending a booking request is free. We confirm your dates and bikes before any deposit.
- 9–26 Jun 202718 days · from NZ$18,715Book Legendary Roads of the Pyrenees, 9–26 Jun 2027
What riders say about this tour
5.0 average from 3 reviews
“If you're wondering whether to book an Open Road tour, stop wondering. Just do it. Lance and Sally from Open Road created what felt like a magic carpet ride through medieval villages, beautifully maintained back roads, and the iconic twisting alpine passes: their 18 Day Pyrenees and Gorges du Tarn. Every day seemed to reveal another spectacular landscape and magical village. The carefully chosen accommodation was exceptional—I often found myself reluctant to leave my room, a testament to the amount of research, experience and trial-and-error that must have gone into selecting such memorable places. One of the unexpected pleasures of group touring is the diversity of the people you meet—individuals whose paths you would probably never cross otherwise. I found myself laughing properly, more than I had in years. The banter was witty, surprising, occasionally shocking, and endlessly entertaining. After more than three decades working in government, where even a smirk at a politically incorrect joke could attract the threat of being sent on a reprogramming course, it felt wonderfully liberating. I could feel that part of my soul being restored. The trip also taught me a great deal about my riding ability and my fitness. Most riders quietly assume they’re at least average. I quickly discovered I was "Captain Slow", while the quickest rider in the group happened to be a champion track racer. At times I was told that I was holding the group back, which pushed me to improve. Under Lance's calm guidance I developed much greater confidence in modern tyres and cornering. I’m inspired to start doing track days to continue developing my skills. I also learned that recreational fitness does not necessarily translate into motorcycle endurance. I run regularly, use an elliptical trainer and keep reasonably fit, yet I discovered that consecutive full days in the saddle over nearly three weeks required a different kind of conditioning. My advice is simple: before a long motorcycle tour, spend as much time riding as you can. I am genuinely grateful to have shared this adventure with Open Road. Spending eighteen days talking motorcycles, learning, reflecting, sharing evening meals with fellow enthusiasts, riding a superb Triumph Tiger 1200 through some of Europe's most beautiful scenery, stunning architecture that either housed our accommodation or was backdrop to meals - and being looked after by such capable and caring tour leaders, Lance and Sally, made this one of the most memorable adventures of my adult life. Still wondering about doing a tour? Don't overthink it. Book the tour. The memories will last far longer than the hesitation.”
Sean Connell · Australia “Spanish and French Pyrenees Tour What a ride! Stuart and I have just returned from an epic adventure with Sally and Lance and a great group of new friends. We flew into Barcelona and picked up late model well maintained motorbikes provided by Triumph Spain - we were on a Triumph Tiger 1200 which was great. We rode well chosen routes, perfect for motorbikes, over the Pyrenees into France via numerous mountain passes,impressive gorges and a huge variety of winding rural roads - often not coming across another vehicle for miles. It sure was the real deal and hardly a tourist to be seen. Each day was a surprise. Accommodation was exceptional. Sally did an amazing job organising, from medieval cobblestoned villages to mountain 'chalets' with sumptuous breakfasts and top notch dinners included, focusing on local cuisine. (Some questionable unidentifiable things that the others gobbled up) Included Michelin star restaurant even! Great time of year to go before European summer holidays kick in and supposedly avoid the heat but we happened to strike an unseasonal heatwave. Just made the swimming pools and end of day refreshments even more well deserved. Right from the start we were impressed with Sally and Lance's organisation and communication... and their friendliness and warmth. They also took great care to ensure everyone was safe and well looked after along the way. The whole experience was wonderful and we're already looking at next year's adventure with Sally and Lance! If you get a chance.. do it! Join the Mitchell Gang You won't be disappointed. 😊”
Sue Cowan “Second tour with Open Road- Spanish and French Pyrenees motorcycle tour! After having an amazing time touring New Zealand with Open Road (see first review below), we were lucky enough to grab spots on a tour of the Pyrenees through Spain and France. Almost three weeks of riding Triumph Tiger adventure bikes through the most incredible scenery, from pin hair twisties across picturesque mountain peaks and meandering corners through lush farmland. Sally and Lance outdid themselves on this tour! The hotel choices once again were super unique with fantastic food and always plentiful stops for cappuccinos and Jamon sandwiches. You’re staying at small local hotels, no Marriott or Hyatt, and get to really enjoy the local food and people. We had olive oil tastings and stayed in a winery with optional tours and got lost on the most fantastic roads following beautiful waterways. Some days ran quite long, but there’s a sense of accomplishment when you realize all you’ve done in a day, and dinner is already set up to just show up and order. A true vacation where the most thinking you have to do is look where you want to go. Sally planned it so well we even got to see a Fire Run (carefoc) before leaving Barcelona! Ending the trip in streets filled with fireworks was the perfect way to say goodbye. The riding is definitely more challenging than that in the US with much narrower lanes and having experience riding on gravel would be a big help. It was a bit warm for our trip but the scenery easily helped to forget about it.”
Gabrielle Weiss

Looked after off the bike too
We take you to corners of the Alps and the Pyrenees most visitors drive past, and the evenings are part of the tour: hotels we choose ourselves, regional cooking and good local wine and beer to go with it.
Questions before you book?
Seat heights, pillions, which island in February. Write to us, call, or send a WhatsApp and we'll get back to you.
Thanks,
Lance & Sally
Open Road Motorcycle Tours













