The route for El Piri (L’esperit dels Pirineus) will cover nearly 850 kilometres and feature 20,000 meters climbing through the most beautiful areas in the Catalan Pyrenees. Starting and finishing in Girona, the event heads out North West through the Cadi Moixero, into Serra Bourmort and up to the new home of L’esperit del Bikepacking in the Vall d’Aneu deep in the Catalan Pyrenees. Crossing through the Parc Natural Alt Pirineu into Andorra and then traversing the Cerdanya valley, riders will be treated to sublime high mountain gravel and stunning vistas. The route regularly passes through small Catalan villages and smaller towns at roughly 50 km intervals.
This is the spirit of the Catalan Pyrenees, a fun gravel adventure. The route is designed to be as rideable as possible, with only a couple of very brief rougher sections, thus pushing of the bike will only be required if fitness or gearing forces it.
The route files will be made accessible to participants 30 days before the start of the event, those entered into the event will be the first to ride the route.
Location Highlights
GIRONA CITY CENTRE
Departing from GIRONA CITY CENTRE, the 850km route will loop around some of the most spectacular gravel roads of the Catalan Pyrenees, finishing back in Girona. Girona is famed for its medieval architecture - being the location for Game of Thrones, and beautiful old city Centre (Barri Vell). The city was encompassed by a vast wall and over the years has seen 25 sieges. Today you walk a part of the Passeig de la Muralla, city wall, and enjoy beautiful views off to the Pyrenees. Girona is a vibrant town with a strong student life and many great places to eat and drink, while you soak in the sun and fulfilment of your adventure.
ESPAI NATURAL DE LES GUILLERIES
The route heads out West from Girona, and we enter ESPAI NATURAL DE LES GUILLERIES which meanders through wild low mountain forests and the quiet waters of the Sau Reservoir. You will be able to see the sad effects of the permanent drought Catalunya is under, with the exceptionally low reservoir levels. Les Guilleries is famous for being the hideout for Joan de Serrallonga together with his gang of bandits in the 1600s.
SERRA DEL CATLLARÀS
From here, the route will go Northwest towards the SERRA DEL CATLLARÀS, an area of natural interest that features impenetrable pine, oak, and beech forests. The gravel roads we use to cross it are at times hewn from stunning rock faces. This area is not a natural park, and thus it benefits from a lack of visitors, you will be able to enjoy the beauty in solitude. Crossing through this section will give us our first views of the Pyrenees.
PARC NATURAL DEL CADÍ-MOIXERÓ
Travelling further West, we arrive at the CADÍ-MOIXERÓ where the iconic twin peaks of Pedraforca stand, visible for hundreds of kilometres as the route approaches and circles in its shadows. The southern side of the Cadi has softer pine forests and is very lush due to the greater levels of precipitation. Riding in the shadow of Pedraforca will be a highlight.
SERRA DE BOUMORT
The route moves out of the Pedraforca shadow and down into an incredible descent in Organyà. Resupply well here as the route then heads deep into the hills of SERRA DE BOUMORT. Here riders will be graced with the possible presence of many wild animals; from the more mundane cow to incredible animals such as eagles and ibex. Its wild nature and switchback climbs will be unforgettable.
PARC NATURAL DE L'ALT PIRINEU
Passing in and out of Pobla de Segur on the lake (washing in the lake is recommended but optional). The route now heads North into the largest national parc in Catalunya - PARC NATURAL DE L’ALT PIRINEU, the real wild mountains. Commemorated in 2003, it preserves not just the flora and fauna of the area, but the lifestyle too. With an incredible size and location, the diversity of fauna is immense; from lizards to big vultures and brown bears. Crossing through the parc will be a true privilege, experiencing nature in its true peaceful state. The parc is also home to L’esperit del Bikepacking in Esterri d’Aneu, at roughly the mid-point of the route, where riders will be greeted warmly. From Esterri d’Aneu, the route climbs out of the parc through the beautiful Catalan Mountain village of Os de Civis and into Andorra.
CERDANYA
Leaving Andorra, and resupplied with duty free, the route heads East along the CERDANYA valley. This valley has its own microclimate; warm and sunny when other areas are shrouded in fog. The route will keep high off the busy tarmac roads and up into the alpine pastures. The route will pass through ancient mountain villages, from a time of subsistence farming forgotten to busy cities. Having passed through the Cadi south side, riders will be treated to the spectacular vista of the Cadi’s vertical granite North face.
PARC NATURAL DE CAPÇALERES DEL TER I DEL FRESER
Girona city is irrigated by the river Ter, and it would only be right to follow it from source to city. The sources of the rivers Ter and Freser are found in the PARC NATURAL DE CAPÇALERES DEL TER I DEL FRESER, hence its name. The route for the event follows the gravel roads used for summer herd grazing. This area is bounded by the French border to the north, the Parc Natural de les Capçeleres del Ter i del Freser offers more than 14,500 hectares of breathtaking scenery. It was awarded natural park status in 2015.
ALTA GARROTXA
Descending from the high gravel roads in the Parc Natural de Capçaleres to Alta Garroxta riders will almost feel as if the route is downhill all the way back to Girona! When you arrive in Girona at the finish you will be able to enjoy food, beers and storytelling between riders and friends. You will no doubt feel tired but extremely accomplished as you relish in your achievement and having made memories to last a lifetime.