The 23 best mountain bike trails in the Pyrenees
Mountain biking is a great means of transport for sightseeing while combining sport and nature. More and more cycling enthusiasts are deciding to explore the Pyrenees on two wheels along forest tracks and trails. If you have not yet had the opportunity to do mountain biking in the Pyrenees we invite you to discover the different routes and their possibilities along an adventure that will not leave you indifferent. Depending on your physical condition and the time you have available, you can choose one or the other option.
MTB routes in the Pyrenees
1. "Trans-Pyrenees mountain biking".
You will discover one of the great mountain bike routes of the country that runs along the Mediterranean Sea to reach the Cantabrian Sea crossing the Pyrenees mountain range which crosses Catalonia, Aragon, Navarre and the Basque Country.
You will discover magnificent stages and spectacular cliffs by ascents in the peaks of the Central Pyrenees. They are magical towns and unforgettable landscapes with dizzying heights. The route is more than 1,000 kilometres long and there are 25,000 metres of positive altitude difference that you can consider in a journey that includes different sections.
Here is a list of the different stages and the kilometres they cover: stage 1: 71 km; stage 2: 84.60 km; stage 3: 81.60 km; stage 4: 69.57 km; stage 5: 88.72 km; stage 6: 97.46 km; stage 7: 123 km; stage 8: 71.20 km; stage 9: 90.38 km; stage 10: 75.69 km; stage 11: 60 km; stage 12: 50 km.
Mountain biking and enjoying nature is conceived as a beautiful adventure full of unforgettable experiences and anecdotes that will make us enjoy a healthy way of life. There is a great possibility to make routes in our country and to know incredible corners that bring us closer to the history that enclose villages and unique scenarios. Do not hesitate to make mountain biking in the Pyrenees!
2. The Bidasoa smugglers' trail
This route runs through protected natural areas of great interest and presents us with a circular mountain bike route (4-7 stages). These stages are organised in three circuits with an average of 30 to 35 kilometres per day, alternating between a network of accommodation.
When the weather conditions are normal, the route has a medium-high level and requires a good preparation due to the total length and the accumulated slopes. Although the route does not involve many technical difficulties, there may be narrow, slippery sections or loose branches.
Along this route you can enjoy the wetlands of Txingudi, the Aiako Harria Natural Park, the natural area of Leurtza or the peaks of Bianditz.
3. Bidasoako Pedalak Route
Bidasoako Pedalak is a self-guided mountain bike route of 190 kilometres at a height of 5,200 metres and a maximum altitude of 836 metres. It is a circular route starting and finishing in Doneztebe/Santesteban (Navarre). It runs along mountain paths and tracks where you can cross the provinces of Navarre, Lapurdi and Gipuzkoa.
The route can be made to measure, adapting it to your level, and is designed to be done in four days, with the possibility of extending it up to six. It is an adventure for enjoy a unique territory and its ancestral culture.
It is necessary that you are in minimum physical condition to be able to cover this route, and it is recommended that you carry the correct equipment to be able to do the route.
4. King Ferdinand Route
This mountain bike route in stages in the Pre-Pyrenees of the Cinco Villas in Zaragoza allows you to visit medieval villages such as Sos del Rey Católico, which was the birthplace of Ferdinand the Catholic. This is a 217-kilometre, 5,600-metre circular route. The maximum height is 1,530 metres and the minimum is 470 metres.
Four days are recommended to be able to do this adventure. You will ride between 42 and 85 kilometres per day, so we recommend that you are an experienced biker. It is not a recommended alternative for enduro lovers because the tracks are not difficult.
It is recommended from March to November, always taking into account the summer heat. This is a self-guided tour and non-competitive, allowing you to enjoy the territory.
5. Route through Ordesa
The route through Ordesa It runs through the Central Pyrenees and crosses beautiful counties of great historical and cultural significance. You can discover the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park, which offers beautiful trails with magnificent views.
The route is 260 kilometres long, most of which runs along paths and trails with a positive difference in altitude of 7,250 metres. You can do the route in 3, 4 or 5 days depending on your physical condition. However, it is advisable to do it in 5 days with stages of 38 to 97 kilometres depending on your choice. This route is tough due to its altitude and route, but you set the pace. Bikers can tackle it in 3 or 4 days depending on their physical condition.
6. Pedals du Tourmalet
Pedals du Tourmalet is a route available from May to October, weather permitting. It runs through French territory and takes you first of all to the Val d'Azun valley. A beautiful scenery of villages from which the heights and summits can be seen.
The start and finish is from Arrens-Marsous in France. The total distance is 200 kilometres with a minimum altitude of 392 metres in Lourdes and a maximum altitude of 2,115 metres in Lourdes. Col du Tourmalet.
This is a circular route with a positive difference in altitude that will pass through the Pic du Midi de Bigorre and its futuristic observatory.
7. Route of Monte Perdido in the Pyrenees
We are facing a spectacular route to enjoy the purity of the landscape and the toughness it leaves us with. On the way we can find the most emblematic peak of the Pyrenees, Monte Perdido (3,355 metres), as well as admire one of the last glaciers.
The distance is 197.45 kilometres and the difference in altitude is 5,894 metres, so the physical and technical difficulty is high. We start from the assumption that you have to climb peaks of more than 2,700 metres and walk a vertiginous aerial route. Passing through mountain lakes and mountain passes, where you can enjoy wonderful views and downhill. This type of route can be done in three or four days depending on your physical condition.
8. Pre-Pyrenees All Mountain
In the Aragonese Pre-Pyrenees you will be able to enjoy the best mountain biking tours. You can stay between 4 or 5 days depending on your physical condition and if you want to go with more or less haste. You will be able to cross the south side of the mountain ranges on tracks and different paths.
We are facing a extremely diverse region where, thanks to the climatic differences, you will find diverse ecosystems that are very different from each other. The routes are over 200 kilometres long and reach an altitude of over 6000 metres.
Depending on the modality you like, whether it is enduro, road, rally or family, you will be able to choose different proposals that will please you. All you have to do is ask for information before starting your adventure.
9. Guarabike
Guarabike is a circular route that you can do by mountain bike and that offers you the chance to enjoy the Natural Park of the Canyons and the Sierra de Guara. This tour takes you through the most emblematic and unknown places of the Sierra de Guara.
Its distance is 180 kilometres and 4050 metres of positive difference in altitude. In addition, you will be able to pass through some of the most representative places in the sierra, such as Mesón de Sevil, Otín, Nasarre, etc.
This is a technical and varied route almost in the greater part of its route that runs along forest paths that bring us close to uninhabited villages and natural paradises. Depending on the physical and technical level, the route can be completed in 2 to 4 stages.
10. Aneto Route
This route will take you through two regions of the Aragonese Pyrenees. On the one hand, you will visit the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park where the Aneto peak stands out at 3,404 metres, but it will be in the Gistaín valley where you will be able to ride through one of the most authentic and unspoilt corners of the Pyrenees.
The distance is 285 kilometres with a positive difference in altitude of 8,500 metres and where an average physical condition is required. This route can be done in 3, 4 or 5 days, but if you want to enjoy the environment it is better to take 5 days and personalise the trip.
Undoubtedly, discovering the Bearded Vulture can be an unforgettable route and you can share experiences with other bikers.
11. Era Roda
Era Roda are themed mountain bike routes through the most emblematic areas of the Val d'Aran and Pallars. A total of 10 routes through the most authentic Pyrenees. Adventure and nature come together to enjoy mountain biking in the purest wild style.
You can choose routes ranging from 105 to 220 kilometres with climbs of up to 7,500 metres. However, Era Roda Classic is the pioneer of the routes. The 80% runs on roads, trails and trials.
The Era Roda Gran Trail is the latest addition to the routes. An option suitable for those who want adventure and enjoy the views and the most remote points of the territory.
12. Bikefosca
In this mountain bike route by stages you can choose the number of kilometres to be done and the positive difference in altitude per day, but you can also decide the technical difficulty because there is the possibility of descending the mountain passes by trail or trialera.
We will find ports of up to 1,000 metres of positive vertical drop. We are between 2,200 and 500 metres above sea level, which gives us a good diversity of landscapes. A beautiful scenery to enjoy without limits.
This region is full of history and along the way you can enjoy rural villages and some treasures from the Romanesque period. Don't forget to swim in the lakes, rivers and waterfalls.
13. Rutad Pallars Enduro
Tracks Pallars has become one of the most important mythical enduro mtb routes. You will be able to enjoy spectacular areas of the Pyrenees that lie between the regions of Pallars Subira and Andorra.
An intense route that has been designed to enjoy the most extraordinary landscapes and corners that circulate through natural parks and magnificent valleys.
The technical and physical difficulty is really high for the 185-kilometre route with a positive difference in altitude of 6,800 metres. This is a 100 % % "enduro" route with 7,150 metres of downhill and 52 kilometres with a wide variety of single tracks.
14. ELS CIMS: de l'Alt Pirineu i del Contraban
Here we find a set of routes for mtb and mountain biking. enjoy the most spectacular scenery and inaccessible places in the High Pyrenees Natural Park and Andorra. You will be able to pass through historical and secret places used by smugglers.
You will start at an altitude of 900 metres and you can go up to 2,389 metres on some routes. These routes start from 2 starting points, one in Areu and the other in Ribera de Cardós.
Jordi Giró Amagant and Pele Viader Rapp are the creators of this initiative after their long experience with cycling. The main objective is to offer a space for MTB lovers who can also transmit the values of this sport.
15. Mountain bike route by stages between Pallars Sobirà and l'alt Urgell.
A route to discover the wildest side of the Pyrenees with 200 kilometres of tracks and paths that cross rivers and beautiful meadows. A way of getting to know the cols of the High Pyrenees. Up to 6,600 metres of positive vertical drop to contemplate the best panoramic views.
The routes can be adapted to each cyclist in order to make the experience unforgettable depending on their level. You can choose between the classic route with 4 stages, the sport route with 3 stages and the Xtrem route with 2 stages. With 200 kilometres and 6,600 metres of elevation gain.
If you are a pure mountain bike weekender, we have also designed a route for you with 100 kilometres and 3,100 metres of elevation gain.
16. Andorra Bike Tracks
Andorra Bike Tracks is a mtb route that runs through Andorra with routes devised by local bikers themselves to enjoy the beautiful landscapes. There are 3 stages of adventure in the Pyrenees, in its purest form.
To be able to enjoy mountain biking reaching different geographical points and inhospitable corners up to an altitude of 2,500 metres, pedalling and with eagle's eye views.
The descents are long and very enjoyable until we reach the more civilised parts. We embark on a 165 kilometre challenge and almost 7,000 kilometres of elevation gain that await us. Stages of between 30 and 60 kilometres depending on the time you want to dedicate to this beautiful adventure.
17. TrinxatBTT
Cadibike offers routes as a self-guided tourist product and the possibility of adapting them to the level of difficulty. They are developed in a territory where there are interesting activities that are carried out in the counties of Alt Urgell - La Cerdanya - el Berguedà.
The TrinxatBTT is a demanding route designed for the most demanding bikers in order to discover a land of contrasts with gentle plains and pleasant trails to climb above 2000 metres.
The itinerary is not marked because it wants to promote respect for the environment and reduce the visual impact on the territory and its landscape. There are up to 5 well-defined stages that allow us to enjoy the landscape.
18. Pedraforca Pedals
Here is an activity that will introduce you to a new dimension of the Pyrenees between May and October. The route can be tailor-made to suit your level, although it is designed to be done in two days, with the possibility of extending it up to three.
The start and finish is at Pedales del Pedraforca in Gósol. with a total distance of 97.6 kilometres, a maximum altitude of 2,191 metres and a minimum altitude of 903 metres. The positive and negative difference in altitude is 3,410 metres.
It is advisable to spend the night in Gósol before setting off because the start of the route is 1,500 metres above sea level and you could be short of oxygen due to the altitude.
19. Cerdanya 360º.
This route allows you to discover the westernmost part of the Pyrenees, at the foot of Cadí, to the north-easternmost part, Capcir and Confient. We will ride from one side of the region to the other in a circular route to take advantage of the openness of the valley and its 360º in full view of the mountains bordering Andorra and France.
Depending on your needs, we propose to do the route in 3, 4, 5 or 6 stages, with or without a guide. The route is 274.6 kilometres long and you can adapt it to your level.
The route starts and finishes in the town of Puigcerdà, the capital of Cerdanya. The tracks accompany the cyclist through the French part of Cerdanya, giving a glimpse of the gates of the Pic del Canigó.
20. Cavalls del Vent MTB
Cavalls del Vent MTB is a route that will show you the charms of the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park to enjoy the slopes of the mountain range and the magnificent views offered by its valleys, paths and tracks.
This route is full of contrasts and surprises for all mountain bike and nature lovers. The start and finish is in Bagà to embark on 225 kilometres, in 3 or more stages with a minimum altitude of 665 metres along the river Segre, up to a maximum of 2,108 metres at Coll de Pal. The cumulative positive difference in altitude is 7,300 metres.
You can visit villages such as La Seu d'Urgell, Josa de Cadí, Talló or Beliver de Cerdanya, among others.
21. La Transcatllaràs
The Transcatllaràs is not an easy route because it requires very good physical training. It can be done by bicycle in 99.9 % but there are sections that must be done on foot. The route starts in Sant Julià de Cerdanyola (950 metres) and passes through towns and emblematic places.
This circular route around the Catlarás Massif is designed for several stages. The first would be 150.12 kilometres and an accumulated difference in altitude of 5,409 metres; the second option would be 150.18 kilometres and 5,438 metres of difference in altitude and the other option is a 4-day route of 154.38 kilometres and 5,699 metres of difference in altitude.
This route is not marked and it is not feasible to do it during the winter months due to the accumulation of snow and ice that does not allow for normal development.
22. The volcano route
This route offers us many kilometres of trails and trails both uphill and downhill to ride your MTB over large blocks of lava. In addition to the 140 kilometres and almost 3,650 metres of accumulated height gain. The first day is the longest and most difficult, but the second day is a shorter and more technical stage.
The route takes us through beautiful nature and a volcanic landscape with 40 volcanoes and numerous craters. Without a doubt, it is an environment that impresses the visitor.
The starting and finishing point is Olot, passing through Castellfollit de la Roca, Sant Feliu de Pallarols and Santa Pau, considered one of the most beautiful villages in La Garrotxa.
23. Raids al Vent
A beautiful circular route that allows you to go around the Alt Empordà region (Girona). Four unforgettable days of pure mountain biking through nature to enjoy with your companions what this beautiful region has to offer.
The route can be done in 3 or 4 stages depending on your choice and physical endurance. The route offers you 236 kilometres of a cumulative positive difference in altitude of about 5,000 metres and 95 % runs along different paths, trails and forest countries.
The route allows you to do it any season of the year because the climate of the Empordà gives you this option and the stages last from 45 to 91 kilometres depending on your choice. You will discover the attractions of a region full of opportunities and possibilities for mountain bike lovers.
