Gravel
Pyrenees Smugglers Route

Gravel Pyrenees Smugglers Route

Follow the centuries-old Smugglers route, across the Pyrenees mountains, from Spain to Andorra

Ancient smugglers would search out the most remote routes to deliver their illegal goods from Spain to Andorra and back. Expertly re-tracing these ancient trails, our local team have developed a magical route through the wildest parts of the Pyrenees mountains.

Overview

Details

Next Departure

No Upcoming Departures

Duration

Non-Rider Friendly

No

Rental Bike

Not available

Ride Program

Total Distance

Total Elevation

Daily Av. Distance

Daily Av. Elevation

Overview

A truly unique experience through the Pyrenees mountains – only with Thomson!

Your journey starts in La Cerdanya, a high plateau surrounded by France, Spain and the principality of Andorra. From La Cerdanya you’ll head west into the remote but spectacular Cadì mountain range before the final trail northwards across the border into Andorra. Throughout the journey you’ll follow ancient trails used by smugglers to deliver tobacco, alcohol and other dubious products illegally over the borders.

Conquer some of the most majestic climbs in the Pyrenees, forget the Tourmalet, the climbs on this trip are remote and spectacular. You’ll also ride through remote villages, some with over 1000 years of history, enjoy the local cuisine and hospitality and discover local traditions and myths from our local guides.

Be ready for a total immersion into the deepest traditions of the Pyrenees mountains. It will be a challenging ride but an experience that will remain with you forever.  Welcome to the Pyrenees!

Trip Technical Difficulty

1
2
3
Technical, advanced gravel, where classic gravel and paved roads will be combined with some rocky fast descents, technical steep climbs and random mountain challenges.

Ride Surfaces

Grade 1
20%
Grade 2
30%
Grade 3
30%
Grade 4
10%
Grade 5
10%

Bike Setup Recommendations

Recommended Tires

700×42

A minimum 700×42, but feel free to use more rubber for more comfort, grip and safety if your bike can fit it.

Recommended Gearing

36T × 11-42

We recommend a minimum gear ratio of 0.90 using a 36T chainring × 42 rear cog (or equivalent). Check your gear ratios at www.bikecalc.com/gear_ratios.


Gravel Explained

Read below for a brief description of our gravel definitions. We have classed the surfaces into five categories, from tarmac to boulders, to give an indication of the amount and level of rough stuff on each trip.

Click below to see Cycling Tips’ great explainer video on gravel surfaces.
GRADE 1
Bad roads, cobbles and rough paved surfaces. You’d find this rideable on a standard road bike.
GRADE 2
Well-made, hard-packed dirt roads offering a road-like experience but without the traffic. Some rutting and looseness of stones.
GRADE 3
Reasonably smooth gravel. Discernible small rocks over a hard-packed surface.
GRADE 4
Rough gravel with conditions that may include shale, larger gravel and rocks. Tubeless tyres and big clearance are the most practical choice.
GRADE 5
Borderline MTB terrain, at the rougher end of the spectrum for the capabilities of most gravel bikes.

Cycling helmet, sunglasses and shoes illustration

Itinerary

Day Description Distance Elevation Hotel
01 Welcome to the Pyrenees! Hotel Villa Paulita
02 Into the mountains Cerdanya Eco Resort
03 Valley Jumping Hotel Balneari Banys de Sant Vicenç
04 Into the High Pyrenees Hotel Riberies
05 A breathtaking loop in the High Pyrenees Hotel Riberies
06 Into Andorra Hotel Art Andorra
07 Adeu!
Daily Averages
Itinerary View Itinerary View
Map View Map View
01
02
03
04
05
06
07

Itinerary Detail

Day 1

Distance

Elevation


Welcome to the Pyrenees!

Your trip starts at Barcelona Airport where our staff will meet you before the transfer to your hotel in Puigcerdà.

After lunch, orientation meeting and bike build-up, you’ll head out for your first ride in Puigcerdà, a magnificent plateau high in the Pyrenees mountains, nestled between France and Spain.

Day 2

Distance

Elevation


Into the mountains

Today you start the journey followed many years ago by the teams of smugglers transporting goods illegally from Spain into Andorra. It will also be your first big gravel climb in the Pyrenees, reaching an elevation of over 2000m, so definitely a day to pace yourself and get the legs used to climbing at altitude. At the end of the ride enjoy the comfort of the amazing Cerdanya Ecoresort Hotel, committed to sustainability and local traditions.

Day 3

Distance

Elevation


Valley Jumping

On this ride you’ll jump from side to side of the valley, riding on the traffic-free National Park gravel roads in Lles and Aranser, eventually reaching the beautiful north face of the Cadí mountains. A magnificent, but challenging day in the saddle and don’t forget to leave something in the tank for the final series of climbs into Cadí.

Map & Profile

Read our Gravel Explainer for a full description of our gravel definitions.

Grade 1
40%
Grade 2
40%
Grade 3
20%
Grade 4
0%
Grade 5
0%

Read our Gravel Explainer for a full description of our gravel definitions.

Grade 1
40%
Grade 2
40%
Grade 3
10%
Grade 4
10%
Grade 5
0%

Read our Gravel Explainer for a full description of our gravel definitions.

Grade 1
40%
Grade 2
40%
Grade 3
10%
Grade 4
10%
Grade 5
0%

Surface Details

Day 01
Day 02
Day 03
Day 04
Day 05
Day 06

Dates & Prices Illustration

Dates & Prices



Date Booking Status Availability Price / Per Person Single Supplement Non-rider Discount
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Waiting List


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    Trip Hotels

    Hotel Villa Paulita

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    Cerdanya Eco Resort

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    Hotel Balneari Banys de Sant Vicenç

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    Hotel Riberies

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    Hotel Art Andorra

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    What's Included

    What's Included What's Not Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 7 days / 6 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Lunch on the 1st day
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up and Drop-Off at Barcelona El Prat Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • 1 x Support Van & 4WD vehicle
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties
    • Bottled water
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities
    What's Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 7 days / 6 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Lunch on the 1st day
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up and Drop-Off at Barcelona El Prat Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • 1 x Support Van & 4WD vehicle
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties
    • Bottled water
    What's Not Included
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities

    Travel details - airport departures

    Pick-up/Drop-off Info

    Arrival

    Pickup Location Time

    Barcelona, El Prat Airport

    9:00am

    OR

    TRYP Barcelona Airport Hotel

    View website arrow

    9:00am

    Departure

    Drop Off Location Time

    Barcelona, El Prat Airport

    10:30am



    Gravel Pyrenees Smugglers Route

    Follow centuries-old smuggling routes from Spain to Andorra


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