Without a doubt, one of the most demanding routes in the area. Although it’s located in the Southern Zone, it still keeps the wild spirit of the more remote trails — which is why we also include it in this category.
We start from the parking area at the Terradets reservoir bridge and follow a short section of road to the junction with the Obaga del Montsec track, which leads to the Matasolana road and the Hostalroig farmhouse. You can also reach this point directly by road. A few meters further on, we jump back onto the dirt track climbing towards Coll de Grau Ample — where the real adventure begins.
A short but intense climb awaits, with some sections where you might need to push the bike, leading to the top of Mirapallars (1,676 m), where stunning views of Pallars and La Noguera open up on both sides.
We continue along the ridge, facing another short but demanding climb until we reach Torretes summit (1,676 m). From there, the trail drops sharply along the cliff edge to Portella Blanca, where the singletrack begins. The first section rolls smoothly until El Cogulló, where a short 10-meter hike-a-bike is needed.
From this point, the descent gets serious: long, technical, and packed with tight switchbacks, dropping roughly 660 meters down to the valley floor. The final stretch flows through a gentler forest, perfect to ease up the arms before reconnecting with the main track and returning to the start point.
On rainy days or in winter with thick fog, the route can still be completed without major issues, as the terrain in the Montsec area drains well and most of the route runs at higher elevation. Even so, we recommend climbing via the road to avoid potential muddy sections at the start of the track. This point should still be evaluated on site, as the return route cannot avoid this sector, which has clay soil that turns muddy on humid days.
We do not recommend doing the route during storms, as the ridge is particularly exposed to thunder and lightning. At over 1,600 meters of altitude, things can turn nasty surprisingly fast.
Usually, the best conditions to do the full route are available all year round.
The route can be completed without any issues, but it’s advisable to avoid the climbs during the hottest hours of the day. Make sure to carry enough water, as there are no reliable refill points along the way. There is a small spring in Hostalroig, but its flow is not consistent and it doesn’t always run.
Always yield to other cyclists and pedestrians, warn of your arrival in time and slow down.
Do not scare the animals by shouting or making unnecessary noise. You are in their environment.
Take your dog on a leash, especially on the busiest trails.
Respect the signs or fences of private property or hunting grounds.
Follow the established routes, don’t take shortcuts.
Control speed and braking, avoiding skids that erode the ground unnecessarily.
Do not litter.
Avoid clayey areas on muddy days due to rain or fog. Respect the route symbols.
Check your bike before you leave and bring a repair kit.
Use a helmet, wear gloves, goggles and protection.
Know your physical condition and choose the route based on it. Always evaluate the gradient, not just the distance.
Keep an eye on weather forecasts, they can be changeable.
It is recommended to do the routes with GPS navigation support. The routes are not physically signposted.
It is important to be insured in the practice of mountain biking, which is why we recommend obtaining a federal license or private accident insurance.
Lo Podall Association will not be responsible for the implicit risks involved in a sporting activity of this type, such as falls, dangerous descents, orientation errors, misuse of common areas with other activities, etc. Also, it will not be held responsible for the misuse of the routes or for possible imprudences committed by users.
ROUTE CLOSED DUE TO EXTREME WILDFIRE RISK
ACCESS TO THE MONTSEC MOUNTAIN RANGE CLOSED
