The best gravel rides around Josa I Tuixén

The ascent from Martinet to Cap del Rec is a real challenge: a route of only 16.5 km that accumulates almost 1,000 meters of positive elevation gain!

Stone town perched above the Cadí valley, with narrow streets, slate roofs and impressive views of Pedraforca. It maintains an authentic charm, far from mass tourism, and invites you to stroll around without rushing. By mountain bike, access from Gósol or Tuixent is demanding but spectacular, with tracks that wind through forests and ravines. Tip: stop at the viewpoint before entering the town — the views of Cadí are postcard-perfect — and secure your brakes well for the descent, which is fast and technical.

High mountain crossing point with spectacular views over the Cadí and the Pedraforca massif. The pass marks the boundary between black pine forests and alpine meadows, and is an ideal place to catch your breath before tackling the final climb to the summit. On a mountain bike, the climb is tough and with rocky sections that may require pushing the bike at some points. Tip: slow down and save your energy for the last section; the reward is a panoramic view that will make you forget your tiredness.

Aransa Station Parking (Lles de Cerdanya). The perfect starting point for mountain biking and hiking routes through the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park. Located at approximately 1,550 meters, the parking area offers ample space, nearby water fountains, and open views of the valley. In summer, it's quiet and ideal for starting climbs towards the Pradell Refuge or the Estanys de la Pera lakes. For mountain biking, the start is direct and somewhat demanding: a wide track with a continuous incline. Tip: warm up well before leaving the pavement, pace yourself, and conserve energy, as the initial climbs can be punishing if you start too fast.

Located at an altitude of 1,960 meters, this refuge is a key point for cyclists and hikers heading towards the Tossa Plana de Lles or the Nordic ski slopes. The refuge combines a mountain atmosphere with comfortable amenities: a bar, a dining room, and a terrace with open views of the Cadí mountain range. It's a good place to stop, have a hot meal, or adjust your bike before continuing the climb. For mountain biking, the track from Lles has an uneven surface and rocky sections; tires with good grip are recommended, as is maintaining a constant cadence, especially on the final bends where the gradient is noticeable.

Font de Viliella (Lles de Cerdanya). A small hidden gem in the heart of the village, under a stone porch with a tiled roof, so typical of the Cerdanya region. Fresh water flows between ancient walls, with a half-erased inscription that hints at its history. Ideal for filling your water bottle and taking a breath of fresh air before continuing your ride up the slopes of the Pyrenees. If you're on a mountain bike, be careful on the uphill section from Prullans: it's short but steep and has loose stones; it's best to take it easy and at a leisurely pace, as the spring deserves to be enjoyed when you arrive with plenty of breath.

Sant Llorenç de Morunys is a town in the Solsonès region located at 925 metres above sea level, surrounded by the Port del Comte, Busa and Verd mountain ranges. It has a well-preserved medieval centre, with walls, cobbled streets and the 11th-century Romanesque church of Sant Llorenç, as the centre of the complex. It is a key point of passage and stop for mountain routes, cycle tours and crossings through the Pre-Pyrenees. The entrance and exit of the town can be done via roads with demanding slopes or forest tracks depending on the itinerary, but it is always worth stopping there to recover energy, fill up water bottles or take a quality break. A good place to charge batteries, both physical and e-bike.

Prat de Bacies is a grassy plateau located in the Port del Comte massif, between the municipalities of Odèn and La Coma i la Pedra, in Solsonès. With altitudes exceeding 2,000 meters, it is an open space, surrounded by black pine forests and reliefs of glacial origin such as sinkholes and depressions. The landscape is open, silent and with a feeling of spaciousness that is unusual in the Pre-Pyrenees. Access is via forest tracks that may have stony or eroded sections, especially during the rainy season. It is a good point to stop, observe and rest in an authentic mountain environment, away from crowded routes. If you do it with an e-bike, it is advisable to bring a full battery, as there are no services or assistance points in the area.