The best mountain bike routes in the province of Lleida

Las mejores rutas en bicicleta de montaña por la provincia de Lleida

Lleida is one of the provinces with the greatest diversity of terrains and landscapes for cycling. Both lovers of mountain bikes and road bikes will find spectacular routes in this region, adapted to different levels of difficulty.

If you enjoy mountain biking, the north of Lleida, in the heart of the Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees, offers some of the most challenging and beautiful routes in Spain. Its endless forests, technical terrain, and significant elevation gain make this area a paradise for cyclists seeking adventure.

For those who prefer road bikes, the south of the province offers quieter and more rolling routes. Around the capital and towns like Balaguer or Mollerussa, the Segre valley has secondary roads in excellent condition, ideal for cycling without major elevation changes and enjoying long days on the asphalt.

In addition, Lleida has numerous marked routes for both mountain biking and road cycling, allowing each cyclist to choose the type of route that best suits their level and preferences. From the high mountains to the plains, this province is an ideal destination to explore by bike at any time of the year.

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Lleida - Alcanó

Rolling route dotted with short climbs through the Segriá region, in the south of the province. It starts and finishes in the capital and the route is circular, heading north-south, reaching the village of Granyena de les Garrigues and returning south-north towards Lleida, crossing the plains of the Segre river, which are full of cultivated fields. A route to get to know the flattest area of the province, in an area of tracks and forest roads and the occasional trail.

Ivars Lake Route

This route takes place in the south of the province of Lleida, specifically in the region of Plana de Urgel. It is a flat route, with only one climb halfway through of almost 8 kilometers up to the Castell de Almenara. The route starts in Ivars d'Urgell and at the end you can visit the Ivars lake, a protected natural area where you can observe birds and eat at some of its picnic areas. It is recommended to do this route in autumn and spring. In summer, it is better to avoid the central hours of the day due to the heat.

Aigües Tortes Route

Beautiful mountain route through the surroundings of the Aigües Tortes National Park and Estany de Sant Maurici, in the Upper Pyrenees of Lleida. A very beautiful route with trails running alongside rivers, streams, and high mountain forests. The route climbs two of the area's valleys, the first up to Llebreta Lake and the second up to the Cavallers reservoir dam. Thus, there are two consecutive climbs with their corresponding descents, totaling 1,088 meters of elevation gain. Most of the route is on well-maintained tracks, although it also crosses some narrow trails.

Route of the 4 Cabins

The Aran Valley is one of the most spectacular areas for mountain biking in Spain. This route we suggest starts from one of the most important towns in the valley, Bossost, at the foot of the famous Portillón pass, frequented by cyclists from Spain and France and a regular crossing point for the Tour de France. On this route, you will only climb the first four kilometers, and then enter tracks and mountain paths used by local shepherds for moving livestock. You will come across some of those shepherds' huts. The route climbs to the top of the Portillón (right on the border between Spain and France), and then begins a descent along very fun trails and paths, although a bit technical if the ground is wet. This route can be done with any type of mountain bike, but it is preferable to do it with a full suspension bike.

Aran Valley Route

The Aran Valley is one of the most spectacular places to go mountain biking in Spain. Not only because of the beauty of its forests, but above all because of the variety of options it offers for both trail and enduro. It is an especially attractive area for e-mtb, since the routes in this area are marked by large elevation gains and continuous climbs. This high mountain route is not suitable for beginner cyclists, as its level of technical difficulty is very high. Regarding the elevation gain of the route, the first half is the most exhausting, with continuous climbs up to 2,360 meters above sea level. From kilometer 19 almost everything is downhill, but don't think it will be easier: you will find rocky, grassy paths and all kinds of obstacles that will test your technical skills.

Salardú Route

In the area of the Aran Valley is the so-called Enduromies, an area that has a wide variety of marked enduro routes from which you can fully enjoy the spectacular Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes. This includes passing through stretches of forest trail under dense foliage between paths and trails of trail. Several mountain bike routes adapted to different levels start from the town of Salardú. One of them is a circular route around the vicinity of the Circ de Colomèrs, from which you can see the spectacular views of the Montarto massif and the Naut Aran. It is a route with both start and finish in Salardú that passes through Banhs de Tredós, Valarties, and Prüedo. You can do it in one morning, but don’t attempt it if you are a beginner in mountain biking, as most of the nearly one thousand meters of elevation gain are concentrated in the first 14 kilometers.