The Trans Bierzo MTB
The Trans Bierzo MTB is a 7-day MTB Tour (6-day riding) through the natural region of El Bierzo. Starting in Orellán, next to the Médulas Natural Park, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the itinerary goes counter-clockwise through the region. Obviously, on the last day, it ends again in Orellán.
The 7-day route includes half board for the previous night. That is, dinner, accommodation and breakfast before the first day riding. And also, half board (dinner, accommodation and breakfast) after the last day of the route. Therefore, the 7 days Tour proposal includes 6 days riding and 7 half boards per person.
Characteristics of Bierzo
El Bierzo is an administrative region made up of thirty-eight municipalities, based on the natural region of the same name. It is located in the western third of the province of León, in Castile and León. Geographically, it borders Asturias to the north and Galicia to the west. On the other hand, the Montes de León are considered the eastern natural border with the rest of the province of León. Closed by the Cantabrian Mountains and the Montes de León, El Bierzo is structured around several valleys in the Sil river basin.
Demographically, El Bierzo has experienced periods of certain splendor, partly due to its various mining operations. However, during the 20th century, it has suffered a slow and inexorable emigration to the big cities (especially Madrid). Don’t forget that even today it is easy to observe the harsh living conditions, with the austere stone houses and their thatched roofs… There are abandoned villages (and many others almost abandoned) and, throughout the region, there are numerous houses for sale or already abandoned.
During the Trans Bierzo MTB you will find a mild Mediterranean microclimate, semi-atlantic, the result of the combination of the Atlantic climate and the continental Mediterranean. However, it is a “wed” terrain; the average annual rainfall is close to 730 mm and the average temperature is 12.3 °C per year.
That is why on the Trans Bierzo you will enjoy such impressive landscapes of beech and chestnut trees, with green meadows in the highest areas. In the more arid areas, however, you will see an environment of oak trees among clearly Mediterranean bushes.
The terrain is very varied. Sometimes you ride on a bed of leaves, other times on sandy soil. And even stretches of slate rock.
There are 2 route options.
The Trans Bierzo MTB includes 7 half-boards. In addition, you won’t have to carry saddlebags or anything like that; we will take care of the daily transport of your luggage. Obviously, we will also give you the tracks and maps of the route. And if you don’t have a GPS, we will rent one for you. On the other hand, the proposal includes mandatory insurance: in case of an accident, they will come to your rescue. All this in the “normal” Trans Bierzo MTB.
However, the Trans Bierzo MTB can be done in the “assisted” version. Here, we also provide a van that will “follow” the group on the road. Thus, it will carry the group’s luggage. If someone is cold, they can take clothes from the bag. Or if they have too many clothes, they can leave them in the “van”. But it also carries spare parts such as cameras, tires, gear cables, brake pads (the most common)… And tools… You can also carry some tables and some fruit, nuts, cookies, juices… to be able to prepare some supplies on the route. All this for a small extra charge…
