Albera Natural Park by bicycle

The routes designed in the Protected Natural Park of l’Albera cross a great diversity of natural resources and a surprising cultural heritage. One of the routes will take us to the spectacular Castell de Requesens that stands out, isolated and imposing, among the canopy of dense oak and beech forests that we will cross on our way to the privileged vantage point. We will pass through the villages of Cantallops, Capmany and Sant Climent Sescebes.

Of the other two proposed routes, one will be determined by the weather and the level of the participants. Both are very rewarding in terms of scenery, fun to drive and both end at the sea. The strong tramontana winds that sometimes blow, limit the passage in the first option.

The first is the route that goes from Espolla to Port Vendres. The itinerary starts towards the Col de Banyuls through a quiet road without traffic. With some steep but punctual slopes. Then we pedal along a dirt track to the Coll de Gascons where we return to find asphalt to descend to Port Vendres or Colliure. Spectacular views throughout the route. The 10 km stretch of track has some more irregular parts but no relevant climbs or descents. In the previous link the route corresponds to the part from km 20 to 50 and the photos correspond to this section.

The other route goes from Espolla to Rabós by inland tracks. This is a town surrounded by cork oak groves, to the south of which, as in the whole Albera, we find large areas of cereal crops and vineyards. From Rabós we will go to visit the recovered Benedictine Monastery of Sant Quirze de Colera, which is located in one of the most protected reserves of the Albera Natural Park. From here we will continue along an inland road to Vilamaniscle and begin a stretch of track with two climbs, the Coll de la Serra and the Coll de Portes. In the middle the lonely valley of Sant Silvestre de Valleta, a beautiful Romanesque church also recovered. This route is, in reverse, the beginning of the Trans-Pyrenean route that links the Mediterranean with the Cantabrian Sea.

During the stay in l’Albera we will know and taste two of the most appetizing treasures produced by this land of difficult orography: wine and oil. The weekend proposal in l’Albera allows to combine the cycling activity with a visit to some of the different wineries that produce some of the most prized wines of the country and visit a producer of the extraordinary oil of l’Albera with its characteristic deep color and intense flavor.

To make the experience totally immersive with the territory we will stay at some of the Cases Rurals de l’Albera that have helped us in the definition of the routes and that represent the most direct contact with the people and traditions of the place.