Discovering "Spanish Utah": An Unforgettable Bike Spanish Adventure

Mountain biking thrives on exploration. The thrill of discovering new trails and landscapes is what keeps riders coming back for more. This past Thursday, I experienced just that when I received an invitation to explore a region affectionately known by locals as “Spanish Utah.” Eager for a break from organizing our Mountain Bike Holidays, we loaded our bikes and embarked on a mini mountain bike holiday, Utah style, but in Spain! Join me as I recount this unique Bike Spanish experience, complete with vivid pictures and video capturing the essence of this remarkable Spanish landscape.

Group of mountain bikers on a bike Spanish adventure in Spanish Utah

The Scenic Route to “Spanish Utah”

The journey to our riding destination spanned approximately three hours, and it was a mesmerizing study in Spain’s diverse geography. Departing from the lush Basque coast towards Pamplona, the landscape transformed within the first 45 minutes. The verdant, mountainous Basque Country gave way to the drier terrain surrounding Pamplona, characterized by expansive ridges and resilient scrub vegetation. Continuing southward into the Spanish interior, we traversed vast plains adorned with vineyards and olive groves. As we approached our destination, mountains emerged on the horizon, and the olive groves transitioned to fruit orchards, their vibrant pink and white blossoms adding a festive touch to the arid scenery. This region is renowned for its cherry production, and it’s quite possible that our guide for the day, Manolo, had a hand in growing some of the delicious cherries you might have recently enjoyed! We rendezvoused with Manolo and Adan, our expert mountain bike guides for the day. For me, it truly felt like a mountain biking holiday – the pure joy of following a guide, focusing solely on the ride, and keeping my wheels firmly planted.

Diverse Spanish landscape in "Spanish Utah" bike region

Mountain bikers starting their bike Spanish adventure in Pyrenees

Conquering the “Chickpea” Trails

Our planned route covered around 50km, almost entirely on exhilarating singletrack trails. Before we set off, our guides diligently ensured Javito and I were adequately hydrated – a subtle hint, as I would soon realize, that we were in for a hot ride. The temperature soared to around 30 degrees Celsius, and the dry air seemed to wick moisture away with every breath. Dust became a constant companion, clinging to my mouth and exacerbating my thirst. Water conservation became a primary concern throughout the day, the fear of dehydration a constant shadow on the sun-drenched trails.

The initial kilometers offered a gentle warm-up, a gradual climb on a fire road. Soon, we reached the crest of our first descent. Adan, leading the way, cautioned us about the unique terrain. “Garbanzos,” or “Chickpeas,” as the locals call it, describes the loose, dusty trail surface. Initial grip was elusive, tires slipping and sliding, but the key, we learned, was to stay relaxed, avoid sudden braking, and trust that traction would eventually materialize. And it did! This “Chickpea” terrain delivered an incredibly fun, drifty riding sensation. Water erosion had sculpted these trails into natural flow trails – perfect bike Spanish rollercoasters. We swooped, floated, compressed, drifted, and carved our way down, each descent culminating in breathtaking panoramic views. It was a reciprocal experience; just as Adan and Manolo had discovered the joys of Basque Country trails, we were now immersed in the unique thrill of “Spanish Utah.” A road trip, a weekend escape, or even a dedicated mountain bike holiday, provides the invaluable opportunity to experience different trail types, reigniting our passion for mountain biking. This day, in “Spanish Utah”, was my personal mountain bike holiday.

Mountain biker enjoying flowy bike Spanish trails in backcountry Pyrenees

“The Impossible Descent” and Red Stone Cliffs

At the bottom of the first descent, another climb awaited. Adan announced a 6km singletrack ascent, assuring us it was entirely rideable. Skeptical but trusting, we began to climb. True to his word, Adan proved honest, especially when it came to mountain biking! The climb traced a canyon floor, nestled five to ten meters below the surrounding landscape, offering welcome respite from the intensifying sun. Our reward was the second descent of the day – christened “The Impossible Descent.” True to its name, it was a dauntingly steep, dust-choked drop, and none of us conquered it without at least one foot dab.

As the day progressed, we found ourselves dwarfed by colossal red stone cliffs, sculpted by wind and water over millennia. The scenery was truly awe-inspiring, but the relentless heat was taking its toll. Adan, ever the motivator, insisted on delaying lunch until we reached the cliff top. His insistence proved justified; the panoramic views from above were simply stunning. Words fail to adequately describe the sheer ecstasy of biting into a juicy orange, offered by Manolo, in that moment of dehydration. No substance, no person, no trail, no spiritual awakening could ever replicate the pure, unadulterated bliss of cool citrus washing over my parched mouth and throat!

To offer a glimpse into the bike Spanish trails of this region, I’ve compiled a short video using footage from my GoPro. These clips capture some of the thrilling descents. Unfortunately, during the final, and arguably most spectacular descents, my GoPro was inadvertently knocked, pointing skyward. These trails were truly exceptional, characterized by significant exposure on one side – typical luck that those were missed on camera! However, fleeting glimpses of these trails do appear in the video when the camera momentarily corrected its alignment. I hope you enjoy the video and accompanying photographs!

While we no longer offer guided tours in this specific area, primarily due to the availability of superior riding locations, we can certainly organize a custom trip upon request. Alternatively, explore potential routes on the Calatayud website: https://www.calatayud.es/contenido/rutas-btt.