La Vélosud – V81 in the heart of the Pyrenees

For the sporty types who cycle from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea via the legendary Pyrenean passes, the Vélosud, passing through the heart of the Pyrenees, now offers an alternative accessible to all, both cyclosportives and cycle tourists, on gentle slopes through the Pyrenean foothills. Connecting Biarritz to Le Barcarès is therefore only a question of perspective!

Six departments crossed, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées, Haute-Garonne, Ariège, Aude, Pyrénées-Orientales, united by the Pyrenean chain, with a diversity of landscapes, cultures, and the desire to bring you to discover at each stop the nuggets of their territory.

A cycling trip with moderate terrain and beautiful greenways to enjoy the mountains, each at their own pace with a tailor-made route in 13 stages. 

The different Ariège stages of the Vélosud

Saint-Gaudens > Saint-Girons: 58.16km

For this first stage in Ariège you will go up the Salat river to the heart of Couserans with beautiful stages in St. Lizier or Saint-Girons (a bike-friendly town). Between fertile valleys and Pyrenean panoramas, the route reveals a dozen castles and manors, witnesses to a rich past. The ideal opportunity to take heritage breaks: in Lestelle, Salies-du-Salat or Caumont. Then you can set off for a stroll in the splendid episcopal city of Saint-Lizier.

Saint Girons > Foix: 45.55 km
Between Saint-Girons and Foix, you'll take the greenway through the heart of the Ariège Pyrenees Regional Natural Park. The route follows the old railway line that once connected the Ariège prefecture. Along the way, you'll find hedged farmland, lush valleys, and villages in the Séronnais region. A few heritage stops pleasantly punctuate the walk.. After La Bastide-de-Sérou, the route rises gently towards the mysterious underground river of Labouiche, before a peaceful descent towards Foix, dominated by its majestic castle.

Foix > Mirepoix: 47.21 km
This stage links Foix to the fortified town of Mirepoix gently, far from the steep slopes of the Cathar foothills. The Vélosud first follows the peaceful banks of the Ariège, then, after a few kilometers, it successively crosses Varilhes and Pamiers. This section is ideal for a heritage break; then, the route heads towards the rural valley of the Hers. Between hamlets and villages, the cycle path takes you to the majestic entrance of Mirepoix, a medieval city with a unique charm.

Mirepoix > Couiza: 52.92 Km
It's not until this penultimate stage of the Vélosud that we reach a major geographical milestone. Indeed, in this penultimate stage in Ariège, the route takes you to a highly symbolic crossing: the watershed. A true natural border between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. From the Col des Tougnets, a stone's throw from Puivert Castle, the rivers now head towards the sea. However, before this shift, the greenway of the secret valley of the Hers unfolds its treasures. First, the feudal castle of Lagarde, then the heritage villages of Camon and Chalabre, and, to conclude in style, Puivert and its museum. Afterwards, the route becomes more peaceful. Simply let yourself be carried along by the bucolic Faby Valley to Couiza.