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3 countries Mountain Bike tour

France, Andorra and Spain

 7 days - 6 nights

From May to October

Tour type - mountain biking
Tour level - moderate to difficult

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Prices for this tour for a group of 6*:

Guided without support vehicle:

 

from 990 Euros per person

 

Guided with support vehicle:

 

from 1190 Euros per person

 

 *based on 2 people sharing a twin room

Single supplement is 150 Euros

 

Smaller and larger group sizes can be arranged

 

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PRICE INCLUDES

  • Accommodation

  • maps and GPS system

  • all meals included (apart from day 1 picnic)

  • luggage transfers

  • Support vehicle option : a 9 seat vehicle will follow the group during the ride

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • Accommodation the night before arrival

  • beverages

  • personal expenses

  • day 1 picnic

  • mountain bike

  • personal material for the mountain bike (helmet, gloves...)

  • transport to the meeting point

  • Travel insurance

From the French Pyrenees into Spanish Catalonia we cross through the Pyrenees via Ariege, Andorra and the Sierra de Cadi following the last Cathars paths.

We ride along an exceptional mountain bike circuit dotted with plateaus and forests, with thrills for the eyes and work outs for those calf muscles! From rolling forest trails to very technical mountain tracks. A total mixture of unforgettable Pyrenees Mountain scenery, along an itinerary of your choice, for an encounter with mountain villages, chateaus and Pyrenean culture.

Itinerary

Day

Activity

1

Transfer Girona-Montségur

2

From Montségur to Ax Les Thermes.

42 kms Elevation change: +1300-1400

3

Ax-Mérens-Ax

34kms Elevation change: +1300-1300

4

From Andorre to Bellver de Cerdanya.

51 kms Elevation change +590-1980

5

From Belver de Cerdanya to Baga.

30 kms Elevation change: +1100-1000
6

From Baga to Gosol.

28 kms Elevation change : +1200-700

7

From Gosol to Berga.

43Kms Elevation change : + 1350-1565

Transfer to Girona

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  Description of Itinerary

Day

Destination

Ride Description

 

1

Montségur

Transfer Girona to Montségur

2

Ax Les Thermes

We ride from Ariège to the 'Pays de Sault'. After a superb descent we cross the spectacular Frau gorge to reach Comus.  We climb up to the plateau de Chioula, then descend to the village of Ascou to finish riding a beautiful single track to Aix Les Thermes.

Approx 42 kms

Elevation change: +1300-1400

3

Ax

Today we descend to the Orlu valley following the mountain trails, shepherds' paths and forest tracks heading for Mérens.

Before returning to Ax we have time to enjoy a bath in the natural source of the thermal springs and then visit the 12th century Romanesque church of Mérens.

Approx 34kms

Elevation change: +1300-1300.

4

Bellver de Cerdanya

In the morning we transfer to Andorra in the heart of the Pyrenees. After a break in Pas de la Casa, we go to Port d'Envalira (2409m) for a superb mountain descent.

Before us rises the 'Sierra del Cadi' with an 18 km descent over meadows, small trails and forest tracks.

Approx 51 kms

Elevation change +590-1980

5

Baga

After a challenging ascent we reach a pass in the 'Sierra del Cadi' range to enjoy stunning views of the Cerdagne and the Capcir mountains. We then have a fantastic descent through the pine forests.

For those who would like to ride a bit more today there is the option to ride to la Serra de Sant Marc and enjoy an amazing descent. (approx 10 kms)

Approx 30 kms

Elevation change: +1100-1000

 

6

Gosol

Following the forest trail we arrive at the stunning Pedraforca - a stony fortress culminating at 2506m. There are amazing panoramas before reaching a technical track that leads to the charming village of Gosol. The castle was one of the many shelters for the Cathars along this route.

Approx 28 kms

Elevation change : +1200-700

7

Berga

Transfer to Girona.

This last stage leads us to the sanctuary of Queralt through the forests to the superb plateau of Peguera.

The rolling trails of the high altitude plateau and the descent through the forests are the icing on the cake after a week of unforgettable mountain biking.

We have ridden in three countries as well as traversed the mighty Pyrenees mountains!

Transfer to Girona.

Approx 43Kms

Elevation change : + 1350-1565

 

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THE REGION'S HERITAGE

The Cathars

At the end of the 12th century spread the idea, derived from Christianity, that there were two entities : the Bad (material world, reality) and the Good (immaterial world after death).

The Catholic Church went on a crusade to eradicate the Cathars - defined as the 'heretics'.

However, they were deeply embedded in society (even among the Lords families like the Trencavel or the Foix Earl). As soon as the battle started, towns were besieged and the population had to either resist or surrender (Simon de Montfort won Béziers, Narbonne and Carcasonne amongst other towns for the King). The Cathars preferred to be burnt at the stake rather than renouncing their faith.

The Paris Treaty of 1229 marked the end of the battle and the beginning of the Inquisition. Catharism was outlawed and the Inquisitors tried to catch them. The surviving Cathars had to flee to reach the sanctuary of the border guard castles and there they managed to prosper for several years.

In 1241, Louis XI came to power and threw them out. Famous as Louis the Saint throughout the country he is also known as Louis the Bloodthirsty in the region.

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