Thomson Bike Tours

Take the high road across this quiet country’s wondrously diverse terrain. Enjoy the magnificent scenery, historic villages and traffic-free roads – and of course it wouldn’t be Thomson terrain without a few big climbs.

Portugal is one of Europe’s hidden cycling gems. The country has everything for the avid road cyclist: big climbs, magnificent scenery, historic villages (complete with cobbles!), and exceptional food and wine. Combine all of the above with the quietest, traffic-free roads you’ll find anywhere in Europe, super-friendly locals and impressive historical hotels and you’ll soon understand why Portugal is a firm favourite with repeat guests and staff alike.

And who would have thought that one of Europe’s toughest climbs would be in Portugal. 30km (19 miles) in length and with a total elevation gain of 1,765m (5,800ft), the climb to the Torre ski-station in the Serra Estrela is up there with the Col du Tourmalet and other Tour de France legends.

Bring your climbing legs and get ready for some of the best cycling to be found anywhere in Europe.

From the famous slopes of the Tourmalet to the infamous slopes of the legendary Angliru, passing through La Rioja, Spain’s most famous wine region.

Climb the quintessential “puertos”, witness 6 key stages including the summit finishes on the Angliru and the Tourmalet. Ride the course, and meet the pros and celebrities in the most accessible of all the Grand Tours.

Our Vuelta a España KOM Challenge provides a fantastic mix of LIVE race-viewing and challenging rides on the legendary routes and climbs of northern Spain.

Witness 6 key stages including the summit finishes on the Tourmalet and the Angliru. Revel in 3 remarkable days in La Rioja, Spain’s most famous wine region, where we’ll witness 3 spectacular stages of La Vuelta and maybe indulge in a few glasses of the local drink.

​Sitting at the foot of the Alps in north-western Italy, Piedmont is the perfect destination for an epic Thomson Challenge. Massive climbs including the Finestre, Agnello and Fauniera combine with the best food and wine in Italy.

You’ll start off the week with a testing, yet magnificent ride through the Barolo and Langhe vineyards. Don’t be fooled, there may be no big climbs on this ride, but it’s a leg-breaker!

From Barolo you’ll head through Cuneo and into the high Alps where the serious climbing starts with the Colle della Fauniera, a magnificent climb that has its place in the Top 5 most spectacular climbs in Europe. The Queen stage comes on Day 6 when you’ll take a brief excursion into French territory over the 50km (31 miles) Colle dell’Agnello, topping out at 2,744m (9,000ft).

The final day is equally impressive and features one of Europe’s toughest climbs, the Colle delle Finestre, where Chris Froome attacked 80km from the Finish Line to win the 2018 Giro d’Italia.

Test yourself on the battleground of the world’s greatest race. Includes the newest paved climb in the Alps, the massive Col de la Loze, first introduced at the 2020 Tour de France and now rated the toughest climb in the French Alps.

Alpe d’Huez, La Madeleine, Galibier, Col de la Loze, Glandon, Joux Plane, Colombiere – these are just a few of the iconic Tour de France climbs that you’ll conquer on this magnificent ride across the French Alps.

We’ve prepared an epic, awe-inspiring challenge that will test your limits and introduce you to the majesty and wonder of road cycling’s most celebrated terrain.

You’ll conquer the newest paved road in the Alps, the massive Col de la Loze, which is now rated the most challenging climb in the French Alps! You’ll be thrilled by the dramatic Col de Sarenne, the back-road to Alpe d’Huez, and a classic ride over the Lacets de Montvernier, the Col de Telegraphe, the Col du Galibier and Alpe d’Huez.

You can’t fit more Alps into one week!

Discover the natural beauty of one of Europe’s most celebrated cycling terrains. Cross the Pyrenees, conquering legendary Tour de France climbs every day. Includes Tourmalet, Aubisque, Aspin, Peyresourde, Port de Balès, Rocacorba and many more!

The Pyrenees conjure up images of famous Tour de France stages. This is your opportunity to transform these images into real life as you conquer the legendary Pyrenees climbs of the Tour de France.

Starting in the renowned cycling hub of Girona with the iconic Rocacorba climb, you’ll cross the Pyrenees from east to west, conquering iconic Tour de France climbs like the Tourmalet, Aubisque, Aspin, Peyresourde, Pailheres, Port de Balès and Portet d’Aspet. The full list of legendary climbs is impressive!

Throughout the entire ride you’ll be amazed with the sheer natural beauty of this incredible region.

From the Spanish border through the Monchique mountains and a spectacular conclusion on the cliffs high above the Atlantic Ocean, the Algarve, in the south of Portugal, has some of the best Beyond Tarmac riding in Europe.

Loosely based on the famous Via Algarviana cycling and hiking route, this 6 day traverse of the Algarve region in the south of Portugal is one of the favorites of the Thomson gravel staff. Spectacular views, perfect gravel, smiling people all around, excellent food and great hospitality make this a bucket-list trip that you should not miss!

Our East to West Beyond Tarmac pilgrimage starts in the town of Tavira near the Spanish border. Perfect gravel trails through dense pine and eucalyptus forests kick off the ride before we head into the Monchique mountains where we gradually start smelling the salty breeze of the Atlantic Ocean which will welcome us for the final stages.

Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast sets an astoundingly beautiful scene for our latest VIP destination.

We’ve enjoyed many beautiful destinations for our VIP trips over the past 10 years but few can compare to the sheer natural beauty of Croatia. The Dalmatian Coast has to be one of the world’s most beautiful regions – little wonder that it’s listed in the Top 10 destinations of just about every travel company.

Our trip combines the natural beauty of the Dalmatian Coast and our rides include several of the most picturesque sections of coastline. We ride two of the most beautiful islands in Croatia: Brač and Korčula. And of course, being Thomson, we couldn’t come to Croatia and not ride one of the toughest climbs in Europe, the 29km / 2000m (18 miles / 6,600ft) climb to Sveti Jure — an absolute epic climb both in terms of difficulty and incredible vistas.

Join Peter, and the usual team of the best staff in the business, for an epic week in one of the world’s most beautiful destinations!

Girona is well known as the perfect roadie destination, but the city and the surrounding Catalan countryside have way more to offer than the much-loved paved roads of the many PRO cyclists who live in the area. Go Beyond Tarmac and discover the real beauty of this fascinating region.

Join us for a magnificent Beyond Tarmac loop around Girona and the Catalan countryside.

From the narrow streets of the old city with it’s trendy cafés and bike shops, the route heads east towards the Mediterranean Coast and the magical town of Cadaqués, where Salvador Dalí worked his wonders.

Leaving behind the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean we ride into the Garrotxa National Park, famous for its now extinct volcanoes and the Fageda d’en Jorda, one of the most stunning beech tree forests in Europe. A spectacular ride high above the Sau River valley cliffs take us to one of the most scenic hotels in Spain before the final day ride back to Girona – and a night out in the old town!

Thomson Tour de France K/QOM Challenges are the trips of choice for avid cyclists of all abilities looking for a unique blend of LIVE race-viewing and challenging riding.

Experience the opening stages of the Tour de France in Bilbao and San Sebastián, and witness the key Pyrenees stage live on the Col du Tourmalet from the comfort of our Private Hospitality Marquee. Mingle with the pro riders and Tour celebrities with our privileged VIP access to the Departure Village at the Opening Stage in Bilbao, and cherish the unique experience of riding across the Finish Line ahead of the peloton in San Sebastián.

You’ll also have a challenging ride program. You’ll conquer numerous famous climbs including the Col du Tourmalet, Col de Portet, Port de Balès, Col de Peyresourde, Col d’Aspin and the legendary Jaizkibel climb, just 20km from the Finish of Stage 2 in San Sebastián.

Each day you’ll have the choice of 3 different fully supported rides – Sport, Performance and Epic rides - from 20km to 130km (12 miles to 80 miles). No matter your fitness level, our extensive ride program has you covered. Perfect for couples who love to ride but have different fitness levels.

Tour de France Viewing

• TDF Stage 1: access to the VIP Departure Village in Bilbao
• TDF Stage 1: access to the VIP Tribune at the Finish Line in Bilbao
• TDF Stage 2: VIP ride across the Finish Line, Podium photo op, view the Finish in San Sebastian
• TDF Stage 6: access to our Private Race-Viewing Hospitality Marquee on the Col du Tourmalet