Adventure Moon Landscape - MTB Trip through the Pyrenees

A summer night in August. The crickets were still chirping, the sky was still not completely dark. We, a team of five passionate female and male bikers, were on our way to Innsbruck. In Toulouse, we picked up our Spanish guiding legend Arturo and a filmer and photographer named Jens. Now the adventure in the Pyrenees could begin.
We thundered along the highways and country roads with our bus and trailer until we finally arrived in Vielha, Spain. Here began our Explorer Trip, an X-day mountain bike journey through the Pyrenees, organized by Flat Sucks and supported by Endura, Simplon, and Komoot.

A table full of tapas and Arturo's stories about his bike trips rounded off our first day. If our already huge anticipation for weeks needed one last push - here, in this thoroughly Spanish atmosphere, it received it.

The sun had just risen. We crawled out of the creaking bunk beds, tired from a night at high altitude with rather poor sleep. But the coffee and breakfast helped us to become somewhat fit.
The relaxed and easy start of the tour was deceptive: After the short descent, a seemingly endless carry section began. But we were richly rewarded for the hauling: Vast moon-like landscapes, magnificent views, and endlessly long trails invigorated the group.

After a spectacular, long descent over partly very loose ground, we arrived in Cerles. We were all thirsty and craving something really refreshing. At a small kiosk, we fortified ourselves with coke and fries. Never did a cold, sugary, carbonated drink taste better than in this heat!

Bike-Guide Arturo had promised us the best downhill trails near his hometown. And so there we were again, sitting in the car on the way there.
After several descents, when we finally arrived in Benasque, we carried our luggage into the apartment for the night. This time, no creaky beds at least! For dinner, we sat together outside until late into the night - we'll never forget that salad made from the regional Rosa tomatoes. Full of happiness and satisfaction, we all fell into bed.

We had feared that the next day would begin with rain, but we were lucky. It was dry and the clouds protected us from another day in scorching heat.
Arturo took us to an enduro trail that he had created with friends. The ride down spoiled us with flow, forest floor, berms, jumps, roots, rock sections – everything a biker's heart desires.
To end it, in Arturo's words, the "cherry": A fantastic flow trail meandered through such wildly overgrown greenery and branches that we felt as if we were in a jungle.

And lo and behold: We were once again lucky with the weather for the time being. Despite a bit less sleep in our legs, we therefore started the next day in good spirits - especially since a short downhill awaited us at the beginning.

After that, however, came the actual climb to Punta d'Armena, and we had to push our way over many meters of elevation again. But nature and the view made it much easier for us. The Spanish word "cojonudo," which means "insane" or "incredible," perfectly describes these moments.


Finally, we reached the trail that led to Lake Ibòn de Plan. Passing by hikers and horses, we continued on a rocky path to Saravillo. Once there, we took a break. Just sitting and enjoying.

It started to rain lightly, but we had to get back into our bus anyway to reach our next destination.

After an hour's ride uphill, unfortunately, it was still raining. The mood was briefly dampened by the wetness and cold, but the anticipation of the upcoming descent to Bielsa made us forget our low spirits. And indeed: A particularly rewarding trail awaited us, which lifted our adrenaline levels back to cheerful, excited heights.
Having arrived in Bielsa, the shuttle bus picked us up and we experienced an absolute change of scenery. Following the hut overnight stay in the quiet mountains, came a night in a hotel right in the middle of the city of Ainsa. Driven by hunger, we strolled into the old town. Old stone walls, narrow alleys, bars, restaurants. Everything illuminated by small lights, and everywhere atmosphere, people, life.

Pretty exhausted from the previous day, part of the group overslept, so the others set out in Bielsa in search of breakfast. Toasted bread with jam and coffee had to suffice for the time being.
After a narrow uphill by shuttle bus and the subsequent carrying section, we were surprised by a fantastic view. The landscape was dotted with purple flowers. Arturo told us that these were poisonous and hence should not be picked.

On the descent, we left the rocky trails behind us. A fast forest trail with countless, rideable hairpin bends awaited us and ultimately led us to the Embalse de Pineta. In good spirits and slightly hungry, we looked for a small restaurant by the reservoir.
Cuisine is important to us, which is why we highly recommend the lovingly prepared Kanguro Truchero restaurant just outside of Bielsa. Burgers, curries, and traditional Spanish dishes were on the menu.
We had to postpone the actual meal until the evening, but there was at least time for a cortado. The small coffee with ice gave us the necessary energy for the further journey over forest floors, hairpin bends, and steep terrain.
After climbing 200 meters in altitude, the final trail to Bielsa awaited, and these last meters over the rugged path demanded a lot of riding skill.

On the last day of our adventure, we headed to France. We took the shuttle bus towards the border, and despite 700 meters of elevation gain in upcoming pushing sections, we were full of zeal to make the most of the last day.
We passed cows again, as well as many horses and sheep. The long descent in
the fog over meadows and terrain ended in the French Aragnouet.
After a short uphill on an asphalt road, we reached the trails built by locals. We had the three difficulty levels Blue, Red, and Black to choose from and tried them all. Everything from flow and jumps to speed to steep sections was included.

Classic for France, there was Quiche to conclude. In good spirits and yet exhausted, motivated and also wistful, we left the land of cycling with our shuttle bus and made our way back to Vielha, where we had started our adventure.
With many impressions, scents, flavors, and countless fantastic trail experiences in mind, we still fondly remember our little adventures during the Explorer trip in the Pyrenees.