Overview
Embark with us on an unforgettable journey through the untamed beauty of the Pyrenees Mountains, where rugged landscapes and pristine wilderness converge to create an exhilarating e-mountain biking experience. This intermediate-level tour is designed for adventurers seeking to explore the wild frontier between France and Spain, offering a perfect blend of challenging trails, breathtaking scenery, excellent food and wine, and cultural immersion.
This small-group tour is formatted so that each day’s riding brings us to a new location for the evening, following historical paths of single- and double-track trails.
The tour leaders share interesting details regarding the geography, history, and ecology along the way.
The Pyrenees Mountains are steeped in the history and symbolism of resistance, perseverance, and freedom. Also known as the Savage Frontier, the Pyrenees Mountains provide a natural border between France and Spain. Over thousands of years, the Pyrenees have offered refuge for those facing persecution and possible extermination. In the 11th and 12th centuries, the spiritual and cultural group known as the Cathars built strongholds like the castles of Puilaurens, Peyrepertuse, and Quéribus in the extremely rugged terrain of the Pyrenees knowing that their fortresses could neither be hidden nor conquered. Later, when hunted by the Catholic Church, the Cathars used their knowledge of the mountains to resist and protect as many of their followers as possible. The first part of your tour travels between these castles, allowing you to experience the history while enjoying excellent intermediate e-mountain biking.
Again, in the 20th century, the Pyrenees were a beacon of hope for those fleeing Francisco Franco’s fascism during the Spanish Civil War. Only a few years later, those resisting Nazi Fascism within France would also take to the high mountains to resist tyranny, smuggle the persecuted to safety, and strike at the Nazi armed forces to support the Allies. The second part of our tour turns south, heading towards a natural escape route into Spain. We end our tour in the high Pyrenees mountains and gain a first-hand experience of the Savage Frontier.
Biking in the Pyrenees Mountains is not only a physical activity but also an immersion into the poignant history that remains relevant today. It reflects the themes of resistance, survival, and the quest for spiritual freedom against overwhelming odds.
COST | $3,749 per person
DEPOSIT | $500 non-refundable
SKILL + FITNESS LEVEL |
TRIP DURATION | 8 days, 7 nights
REQUIRED SKILLS | Can ride 3+ hours on varied terrain
TERRAIN | Single track, gravel, forestry track, some road
BIKE TYPE | Specialized Turbo Levo Comp bike rentals
MAX PARTICIPANTS | 6 people
Details
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We will be in some rural areas, and there are shops and cafés that only take cash, so it is important to have euros with you when you travel. Generally speaking, €300 - €500 should be fine for the tour, but you can plan your cash amount based on your personal spending plans while you travel. We have found it simplest to purchase euros from your bank prior to traveling to Europe. Another option is retrieving cash from an ATM at the airport when you arrive in France, which gives you the best exchange rate on that day. Tip: Make sure you are aware of your bank’s fees for international withdrawals, as well as other credit card usage fees.
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Athara Adventures strongly recommends that you obtain travel insurance. Depending on the type of tour that you have booked, Athara Adventures may also require that you secure or show proof of other insurance.
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If you need to cancel your tour, you must do so in writing. The following terms apply to tour cancellations:
• If you cancel your booking within seven days of the booking, you will be entitled to a full refund except as provided below regarding cancellations less than 120 days (four months) prior to the tour start date;
• If you cancel your booking between 173 and 120 days (four months) prior to the tour start date, you will be entitled to a full refund less $500;
• If you cancel your booking less than 120 days (four months) prior to the tour start date, you will not be entitled to a refund of any fees paid by you; however, you will be entitled to a credit towards a future tour within the 24-month period after the cancellation date; and
• Athara Adventures will have no obligation to issue any refunds if you are unable to participate in or continue with your tour for any reason after your tour has commenced.
