After arriving at Zaragoza you will be met and we’ll transfer to the first night’s accommodation high in the Tena valley to the pretty mountain village of Sallent de Gallego (Approx. 2 hours).

It’s time to meet your guides, build your bikes and give them a spin before we have a chat about what to expect throughout the week. Then it’s out to a local restaurant to sample the fine mountain fayre, washed down with the local Huescan, Somantano red.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,206 Metres Approx.

What better way of starting the week than one of the area’s classics! Using a quick uplift to help us get the best riding out of the day, we set off on a traversing trail below the dramatic peak of Foradaba which guards the head of the Tena valley. The traverse starts on double track and quickly turns into a ribbon of singletrack gently descending though pastures giving you chance to get your head in gear for trails to come and take in the magnificent views of the 3000m+ Picos de Infierno.

The difficulty of the trail eases and the pace quickens as we blast through thick beech forest to the banks of the Barra reservoir. A short sharp climb gives us some good height for a singletrack fiesta on an array of fun trails taking us from open pastures through forest to valley meadows to drop us back at base in Sallent de Gallego, an idea spot for a morning coffee.

A relaxing super flow trail along the side of the Lanuza reservoir leads us to the climb of the day on steady jeep track. As we top out the views down the valley and of the surrounding peaks of the Sabucos range are simply breath-taking. The descent twists through the forests at a pace with the odd technical pass down to the attractive village of Panticosa and a lazy picnic lunch by the river.

After a revitalising dip in the icy waters the ski gondola will zip us up 800 metres with ease. We will pass through some carved berms of the bike park before heading into the vast forests taking on beautiful snaking singletrack between villages. It’s a great day out and a fantastic start to a week that just keeps giving!

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 960 Metres Approx.

A welcome uplift takes us to the pass sitting at a little over 1,600 metres from where we start with a steady but forgiving climb to around 2,000 metres. Here on the high pastures, we are perfectly placed to see the glaciated Ordesa Valley and the narrow ribbon of trail that will lead us across open-mountain, taking us through numerous forgiving switchbacks with the Aragon Valley around 1,000 metres below. Through forest and then wild pasture this untamed beast will throw everything at us as it weaves a fantastic line down the mountainside.

Once in the valley bottom a well-earned lunch will be taken al fresco while you look back at what you’ve just descended. From the picnic spot we’ll pick up part of the Camino de Santiago. This section descending down the valley and combines the luxuries of sweet flowing singletrack, short climbs and beautiful ever-changing views, give a more relaxing yet enjoyable end to a brilliant day on the bike.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,020 Metres Approx.

This morning we’ll pack up and head towards our second destination of the trip on the edge of the magnificent Ordesa National Park, with its dramatic canyons and beautiful glacial valleys. The glorious medieval town of Ainsa is a hub for an endless collection of paths and ancient trails that have linked villages and valleys for centuries.

Luckily for us they have been cleared and revitalized, creating a riding paradise beneath the gaze of 3000m+ peaks. A route that should be high on any trail riders list is ‘the loop’ of the Pena Tanesa Mountain that rises nearly 2,000 metres above the Cinca Valley.

For this we’ll use a bit of uplift to get a little over 1,000m and from the village of Grebe we’ll be straight into the good stuff on a trail that meanders its way through forest and twists down towards the gushing Viu River.

The main climb of the route begins with a steady ascent towards a pass that opens up fantastic views of the snow-capped National Park. Once over the top the fun really begins as a gently descending line of singletrack snakes us through dense beech forest before traversing beneath dramatic limestone cliffs on a long stunning section of trail.

After lunch next to a beautifully preserved medieval village there’s a whole lot of fun to be had on the paths that link the villages as we cruise back towards base. Sections of singletrack will take us through otherworldly desert like landscapes, along ancient stone mule trails and as well as the smooth flowing to spit us out for a refreshing beer in the local plaza.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,060 Metres Approx.

By now the guides have worked out what type of trail gets the group buzzing and today will more than likely be a multiple uplift day taking in numerous fantastic sections of singletrack.

Our plan is to take you into the stunning Ara Valley and the Mordog whose river gushes with crystal clear waters from the snow melt of the higher peaks. The vans will give us some height to maximise fun before we embark on a rollercoaster of a ride through exhilarating switchbacks deep into the Sieste Canyon.

The trail swings west and follows the canyon downstream to some fantastic stunning swimming holes. After a refreshing dip the trail that awaits carves a route above the river, making you work here and there for ‘endless’ fun through the pines.

Finally, the trail drops a little more sharply, testing our switchback skills on the descent to the Rio Ara. This will possibly be the fastest lunch of the week as there are usually plenty of eager riders to take on more!

A quick lift back into the mountains on the other side of the valley will give you chance to try out the splendid double descent from the village of Campodarbe that kicks off on some beautifully exposed trail, as we dash in and out of forest and through alpine meadows before a finale flourish back to the river.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 370 Metres Approx.

It’s pack-up day again as we migrate east on our ‘perfect trail’ odyssey. But this time we will be doing the majority of the transfer ourselves.

We’re heading to the adjacent Esera Valley, gateway to the Parque de Maladeta–Posets and Aneto the loftiest peak in the Pyrenees at 3,404m. The support crew will whisk you up the Cinqueta Valley past the village of San Juan and high into the Macizo de Cotiella range. We’ll have the ideal warm-up as we climb the steady track that zig-zags up the mountainside and the Puerto de Saunc at a respectable 2,010m. As we take refreshments on the pass the view is simply inspiring up the Benasque Valley and into the Montes Malditos topped by the grandeur of Aneto.

The work is now done and the fun is about to begin. The trail is steep and technical at first before easing off for a fantastic ride down the Lligat River on narrow singletrack for a truly memorable ride. This trail makes you work and is a fun test of all you riding skills before bringing you to the village of Saunc on the banks of the Rio Esera.

You might have guessed but once in the bottom of the valley it’s back up for a short climb that gives plenty of height for the enthralling finale. The trail is blissful and glides through the pastures of Montinero on snaking singletrack and from the Hermitage of San Andres there are a few switchbacks and the odd rocky section to navigate as it traverses us to our third and final hotel in the village of Benasque.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 490 Metres Approx.

After all the magnificent trails we’ve ridden it’s difficult to imagine what we can do to top it all off.

Luckily enough we’re in the right spot as the village is at the bottom of what is known as the best downhill mountain bike route in the Pyrenees. With the now familiar morning uplift taking expectant riders into the Sierra de Llauset it will only leave us a short climb to warm our legs and prepare our heads for the grand height of 2,200m.

It’s quite a spectacle looking down 1,400m back to the valley floor and across to the awesome Marcizo de Posets. After we’ve regained our breath and composure, scoffed a banana and a few nuts we will head on down for an afternoon of descending!

This breathtaking descent can be divided into 3 distinct sections. The first stretch traverses open mountainside along a ribbon of trail before switching into forest, taking on rock gardens and rooty challenges. Just as you thought you couldn’t take any more the technical level eases, offering up a fantastic smooth section, allowing you relax and pin your ears back a little.

A short climb connects with an exquisite descent through pines with a few steep switchbacks to test your cornering, ending in a dramatic enclosed canyon. A short heft out and a couple of minutes turning the pedals brings us to the final section through the Rabas forest; again fast with the odd bit of technical stuff to keep us focused. It is the best possible end to this mythical descent and spectacular week.

The terrace of a local bar awaits to clink glasses in celebration before tucking into a celebratory meal and I’m sure much discussion about your favourite trail of the week, if you can possibly pick one.

• Meals: Breakfast

Sadly it’s time to pack up and say our goodbyes before our transfer back to Zaragoza airport (Approx. 2 hours).

Please Note The days described in the itinerary are an example of the rides that may be taken during your week. The local guide team will choose trails that are suitable for you and the group’s ability. There is so much incredible biking that no week will ever be the same, keeping it fresh and keeping the exploration alive!