30 July, 2025
PEDALING TO REVIVE THE MOUNTAIN
In the heart of the Pyrenees, surrounded by peaks over 3,000 meters, wild valleys, and stone villages steeped in mountain identity, lies the dream destination for pure cycling enthusiasts.
Here, in the Benasque Valley and La Ribagorza, the landscape stops being just a backdrop and becomes the protagonist of every ride, a companion in adventure that brings emotions, discoveries, and a deeper connection with nature.
Legendary summits like Aneto and Posets have witnessed the gradual fading of the traditional use of their historic trails as the local population moved away in search of urban comforts.
As a result, these once-vibrant paths began to disappear under the undergrowth… until the birth of the Puro Pirineo project, which emerged with strength to bring them back to life.
“Around 11 or 12 years ago, Javi Chopen founded the association, and that’s how the first trails were recovered, helping to establish Puro Pirineo as one of the first flagship destinations in the country.” – Edu Moreno (Coordinator, Puro Pirineo).
This valley holds hundreds of kilometers of trails, hidden under imposing mountains.
It took a tremendous effort to bring them back into the light and it was an even more complex challenge to secure funding and reconcile mountain use with traditional activities like livestock farming and hunting.
The passion of every Puro Pirineo member was key to overcoming the obstacles on the road to the summit.
“Tomás (president of the association) has done an extraordinary job engaging with farmers and hunters. Thanks to that, cycling has become just another use of the territory.”
Edu Moreno (Coordinator, Puro Pirineo).
Over time, and with the passage of more riders, the project began to bear fruit.
Its impact has been seen not only in the economic boost from active tourism but also in the social revitalization of a region particularly hard-hit by depopulation. Thanks to this initiative, new job and business opportunities have emerged, helping to retain population in the Benasque Valley and partially slow the rural exodus that had threatened it for decades.
“Today, we have more public-private partnerships, both with local councils and with numerous local businesses that have sprung up.”
Edu Moreno (Coordinator, Puro Pirineo)
At Orbea we are proud to be able to help support this area and the passion of the people it contains.
"Thanks to Orbea, we have built a structure with our own staff dedicated to maintenance. We currently have two full-time employees, with the aim of creating more jobs. In addition, this support has encouraged more institutional involvement."
Edu Moreno (Coordinator, Puro Pirineo).
Today, more than 200 km of trails are available across around 50 routes, taking riders on a journey through a land full of unique stories.
Settings like the Cerler bike park, a pumptrack, a dirt jump park, and a visitor center, make this place a paradise for both sports tourism and the local community.
And this is a community which continues to grow with the creation of four cycling schools in recent years.
This is a project with a long journey behind it, but still writing a book full of stories yet to be told.
“At Puro Pirineo, we want to readapt traditional trails to make them more sustainable against weather challenges and user impact, as well as create new trails from scratch for all levels.”
Edu Moreno (Coordinator, Puro Pirineo).
This is the heartbeat of a territory that refuses to be forgotten a commitment to sustainability, identity, and a new way of living in the mountains: with respect, passion, and a future.
Because with every pedal stroke, you’re not just riding a trail, you’re writing the next chapter of this shared story between nature and people.
If you’re looking for a genuine adventure, the pure air of the Pyrenees is waiting for you.
Edu Moreno (Coordinator, Puro Pirineo).
From the early days of communicating Puro Pirineo to today, even though their main work is now in the office, they always find time to grab their tools and head up the mountain.
You’ll see them descending at full speed along the trails of Sierra Negra or Rincón del Cielo, but not without stopping at the summit to capture that pure moment of freedom in a photo.
Your perfect companion to discover the Pyrenees
Trails connect us to each other, to new places and to a history which is written in the earth. These tiny ribbons of dirt shaped historic lives, have the power to change communities, and allow us to tell our stories to future generations. Trail Tales is about connecting these trails with the stories they have told, respecting the trails we have and building the ways of the future.