TOUR OF ANETO | HIGH MOUNTAIN BIKE ADVENTURE
This is one of the most amazing mountain bike adventures you will find. Over 6 days of riding we cover some of the highest rideable peaks in the Pyrenees. Using high mountain camps, supplied by a team of mules, we will ride around the highest mountain in the Pyrenees, Aneto. It was a tough but fantastic trip, riding in the high mountains, crossing between Spain, Catalunya and France over the high passes.
SMALL GROUPS, MAXIMUM ADVENTURE
This trip runs with a maximum of 6 riders. Due to the fact that we are sleeping at altitude, the logistics mean that it is not possible to run with bigger groups.
“The week I spent with BasqueMTB was one of the most magical things I’ve ever done. Doug, his team, and his partners are so good at what they do. The scenery and biking was simply spectacular but the local expertise, knowledge, and coordination of details is what makes a guided holiday good and BasqueMTB sets the gold standard.”
Aurelie (USA) via Google reviews after her ladies only Tour of Aneto
WHAT ABOUT A LADIES ADVENTURE?
The first time we ran this trip is was Ladies Only and remains one of the best trips ever, according to Doug. We explored the limits of our comfort zones in a supportive, positive environment and everyone, from guide to guest, learned loads. The weather was absolutely dreadful, very unusual for the time of year we run this trip, and we made it over one pass with snow falling around us and arms linked for security, before descending almost 2000m to the valley floor below where we had a warm meal and were quietly amazed at what we had achieved. We camped in a storm with Aneto fading in and out of the clouds while we ate amazing food and played card games. This trip is an adventure, even with the normal amazing weather, and suits adventurous mountain bikers, regardless of sex, race or age.
TOUR OF ANETO | HIGH PYRENEES MOUNTAIN BIKING PHOTOS
(Click an image to see bigger photos)
The Ultimate High Pyrenees Adventure
- 7 nights
End of September
6 days guiding
18,000m descending, 6,000m climbing
Breakfast and Dinners included
2 Nights Camping above 2000m
TOUR OF ANETO | HIGH MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE
Overview
What’s Included?
- 7 Nights Accomodation
- Breakfasts and Dinner Included
- 6 Days Guiding
- Transfers from Barcelona
- Group of 6 Riders
- Local, Experienced Guides
- Full Van Support and Unlimited Shuttles
- Up to 18,000m of descending
- Around 6,000m of climbing
“One of the best experiences of my life”
Karl (UK)
Biking
Tour of Aneto Pyrenees Adventure: The Biking
We rate our holidays for fitness and skill levels and, to find out more about how we do this and an overview of the grades we use, check out our mountain bike holiday skills and fitness guide.
Skill Level
The terrain high in the Pyrenees is challenging and relentless. You should have good bike handling skills and be used to riding technical singletrack. Having said that, this is a trip for enjoying the scenery, these wild places and new friendships. We would recommend that you are high intermediate or above.
Fitness
This trip has some hiking with your bike. The last day it is very challenging, although we have plenty of time to complete the route. You will need a good to excellent level of fitness. Realistically this can be achieved with a few months of training prior to your trip and we can help advise on that.
Logistics
Tour of Aneto Pyrenees Adventure Logistics
Arrival
People need to arrive to Barcelona Airport, before around 13:00 on the first Saturday. From there we will organise transfers.
Departure
Departure is from Barcelona Airport after around 13:00 on the final Saturday. Often people choose to spend a night or two in Barcelona after the trip and we can help organise that if you want.
Accommodation
This mountain bike tour has two types of accommodation. When we stay in towns we will stay in nice hotels so that we get time to recover and sleep in a proper bed! When we stay in the mountains we will be camping and these nights we will be supported by a train of mules so we have drinks and a proper meal plus our tents and sleeping stuff. You do not need to carry any equipment with you while we ride.
Calendar
Please get in touch to discuss dates.
Reviews
Have a read of some of our reviews!
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FAQs
Here are some of the questions we are regularly asked about our mountain bike holidays. If you have any questions we are delighted to answer them, just get in touch.
Do you have an itinerary for your Tour of Aneto mountain bike holiday?
We do and we would be happy to discuss it with you. You can read all about it here. https://www.basquemtb.com/tour-of-aneto-itinerary/
I don’t want to do a week’s mountain bike holiday, can I do a shorter break?
Not on this trip I’m afraid, it is very much all or nothing.
What are the group sizes on a typical mountain bike holiday?
Typical holidays we run with 2 or 3 guides and a team of drivers with 12-14 people. This trip we will be running a very exclusive group of 6 riders with 2 guides plus a team of drivers.
How do you manage different technical levels on your mountain bike holidays?
On this trip we will expect some differences in technical levels and we will be moving as a group, with a guide out front and one at the back.
Why did you run this trip as “Ladies Only”?
This is a great question! In the future we will offer trips like this for everyone but this trip came from various conversations about adventurous cycling holidays and the barriers for women. At basqueMTB we monitor how many women we get on our trips and currently we are around 27%, which is great but lower than we would like. What is telling is that most of the women who come come with partners. We want to offer an adventurous mountain biking trip that women travelling by themselves feel safe to book.
Hopefully that explains why, hopefully it seems reasonable.
What is the weather like in that part of Spain?
During the days temperatures should be warm, although high on the mountains we need to be prepared for cold weather. In the evenings temperatures will drop and during the nights the temperatures can be low. We recommend a down jacket for the camps and a 3 season sleeping bag. In the event of bad weather, such as on our first trip, we talk through the options with the group and make appropriate decisions.
What bike / tyres / brake pads do you recommend for this part of Spain?
To try and make this subject a bit interactive we have a facebook page dedicated to this. Please have a look here, (and we always appreciate people liking our page!).
Can I hire a bike for this trip?
Absolutely, check our our bike hire deals here. Mountain Bike Hire
You can also take your own bike, it is really easy and we have a handy guide to packing your bike here. We will help you prepare your bike for the trip when you get here if you want too.
Why is the trip more expensive than your other trips?
We price our trips as low as we can without compromising our vision for how we want to work. That means we don’t cut corners to add profit. It also means we don’t cut corners to try and meet a price point. This trip is with a small group which adds to the costs, the logistics and high mountain camps are also a big factor in the trip price. Finally all dinners and breakfasts are included.
Our Tour of Aneto is a special trip. Our team is very experienced leading riders on these high mountain trails and organising the complicated logistics for the campsites. This is an intense trip, challenging and at times we will all reach our limit but with the help of the rest of the group we will all challenge our perception of what we can achieve. On the way we will ride some of the best trails in the Pyrenees and enjoy an amazing adventure.
Riding
Obviously for this trip the riding is off the scale. The advantage of the hikes and special uplifts is that we can get to ride the trails that way fewer bikers ever ride.
Nightlife
The nights spent in tents under the stars high up in the Pyrenees. These nights make this trip something special. It can be cold, uncomfortable but it is never anything other than spectacular.
Atmosphere
Nothing can beat the feeling of a small group moving through the high mountains and sleeping up there, just returning to civilisation to get a bite to eat and stock up on water. The group atmosphere is a big part of this trip.
Adventure
This is a true point to point, working our way across the Pyrenees mountains. It makes a big adventure and adds a lot to this trip. It is the challenge that is the main reason to do this trip. If this doesn´t appeal then honestly do two of our other Pyrenees trips instead! These long mornings to reach high mountain passes form a massive part of the experience.
TOUR OF ANETO | RELATED PAGES
Before you book why not have a look at some of our stories about this trip?
