ACT Unpaved Pyrenees with BMW Performance Center- UPP260A
When guests from the USA arrive, the Welcome Briefing sets the tone for the entire adventure—full of excitement, team spirit, and the promise of unforgettable riding days ahead. It’s the moment that instantly makes you want to experience a tour like this yourself.
Our first riding day towards the ACT Pyrenees! Everyone is looking forward to it and after a briefing in the early morning we are taking off. First a stretch of highway, then we ride into the Montseny Nature Reserve where the first 20km gravel roads are waiting for us. Great stuff! After a mix of twisty roads and nice forest offroad tracks, Yiehaa! A last coffee in Banyoles then we shoot over to Roses on the most Eastern point of the Iberic peninsula. And our hotel right opposite of the beach! What a day!
First Foto shooting in the morning , right after that, the groups ride to most Eastern point Cap the Creus and start from here into the ACT and into the wild Pyrenees! Tackling Mount Moixer, having a lunch with local specialties and proceeding into the outback...gravel waiting here before the riders pop up on Col d'Ares, right on the border line between France and Spain. An another 20km gravel are waiting for us with already Alpine character! A beautiful and looong day!
A spectacular day lies ahead: narrow mountain roads, twisting curves, and the charm of Catalonia’s high valleys. We pass lively towns like Ribes de Freser, Puigcerdà, and the beautiful La Seu d’Urgell, perfect for a break before the grand finale. Then comes the highlight: the old smuggler’s trail to Andorra, climbing above 2,000 meters. In good weather, it’s pure magic; in the wet, a true adventure. Whether you choose the fast road or the wild trail, this border crossing is one you’ll never forget.
This day is the secret favorite of the entire tour: exciting off‑road sections, incredible views, and that pure high‑mountain feeling. The highlight is the descent from Port de Cabús, paved at the top, then turning into a narrow gravel track without guardrails, leading all the way down to the remote village of Tor. We ride through the highest part of the Pyrenees and even pass the mighty Pico Aneto, the king of the range. And to top it all off, the day ends at a mountain hotel tucked away in a quiet high Valley.
Our 5th day in the Pyrenees delivered everything an adventure rider could wish for. The route constantly alternated between winding mountain roads and varied gravel sections, ranging from fast-flowing tracks to narrow single-lane roads with spectacular views. After a hidden coffee stop at a campsite, we continued along clay-based forest trails and several gravel stretches through the stunning mountain landscape. One of the highlights of the day was crossing several mountain passes with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. The route took us past deep gorges, dark tunnels, and towering rock walls, showcasing some of the most beautiful scenery the Pyrenees have to offer. Following a lunch stop, the ride continued on more twisty mountain roads before we reached our destination for the day, Jaca. There, we finished the day with a stroll through the historic old town and enjoyed the unique atmosphere of this charming Pyrenean city.
Today our tour took us into the Basque Country. After just a few kilometers, we entered a roughly 12-kilometer gravel section with a hard clay surface. This was followed by narrow connecting roads leading to our first café stop in Chasa. Beyond that, the area became increasingly remote, and many of the villages appeared abandoned. The route constantly alternated between winding country roads, narrow single-lane roads, and damaged stretches of pavement. Another highlight was an approximately ten-kilometer gravel track through forests and scrubland. After around 120 kilometers, we reached the next village with a place to stop for refreshments. From there, we continued along narrow roads onto a high plateau with wide meadows and numerous free-roaming horses. The scenery was spectacular and offered countless photo opportunities. We had lunch in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. After the quiet mountain regions, the town felt surprisingly lively and touristy. In the afternoon, the route crossed the Ispegui Pass, which once again delivered pure riding enjoyment with its sweeping curves and stunning views. To round off the day, we arrived at Hotel Balneario, a somewhat secluded spa hotel featuring a saltwater bath. After approximately 260 varied kilometers of gravel roads, mountain passes, deserted roads, and magnificent landscapes, an exciting day of riding in the Pyrenees came to an end.
On the last day, after the daily briefing we reach the impressive Costa Verde, whose green cliffs accompany us all the way to the western end. At the Mirador, the official endpoint of the ACT Pyrenees, we take in the view one more time before our tour continues. Between Ondarroa and Lekeitio, one of the most beautiful coastal roads in northern Spain awaits us – winding, scenic, and pure enjoyment. Further inland, we arrive in Gernika, where the history behind Picasso’s famous work Guernica makes us pause for a moment. From there, the road leads us to Bilbao, today a modern, vibrant city shaped by the iconic Guggenheim Museum. If possible, you should arrive early – or plan an extra day right away.