The Benasque Valley is a fantastic place to practice road cycling. Its solitary paths, its views and its wide variety of routes make this area an ideal stopover to give free rein to your pedaling. From Planetabici.com we have selected some of the routes that you cannot miss if you visit the area.
The Solano road, parallel to the A-139, will allow you to discover its towns through the impressive Benasque Valley, connecting municipalities located in the beautiful mountains. These picturesque places, known as the “Solano towns”, enjoy abundant sunlight, hence their name.
It is a circular route which means that you can choose the starting point. If you start your route from Benasque, you will be able to enjoy a flatter initial section before facing the ascent. Following the A-139 towards the south, you will pass through Eriste and take a detour to the left that will take you to Eresué and Ramastué, thus marking the beginning of the route along the Solano road. During the journey, you will be able to appreciate the beauty of towns such as Liri and Arasán, each one with its own Romanesque church. Of course, the spectacular views of the Valley and the mountains that surround it are guaranteed throughout the route.
Once you have passed the Arasán turnoff, an exciting descent awaits you until you reach Castejón de Sos. From there, take the A-139 road in the direction of Benasque, where you will face a gentle climb that will take you back to your starting point. This route will allow you to enjoy impressive landscapes and charming towns, with that point of demand that is always appreciated. Download the track of the route here!
This route offers cyclists challenging climbs, impressive landscapes and the unique charm of roads perfectly adapted to cycling. With lonely trails and different types of ascents, this route has become an unmissable destination for bicycle lovers.
The adventure begins in Castejón de Sos where we will head towards Coll de Fades, a 10.8 km pass that connects the Benasque Valley with the Isábena headwaters. With an average slope of more than 5%, this demanding pass has some steep ramps that will put cyclists’ skills to the test. However, upon reaching the top at an altitude of 1470 meters, there will be no shortage of stunning panoramic views of the surroundings.
Continuing the route, cyclists will have the opportunity to descend through the Puerto de Espés, a little-known but very interesting section. They will be followed by the Port of Bonansa and finally the well-known Coll de Espina. Three serious ascents and an exciting descent that will make you fall in love with the north of Ribagorza on your bike. Download the track of the route here!
For all those looking for a true cycling challenge, the Benasque Valley also has a mountain pass of great importance. The Ampriu and Llanos del Hospital are its greatest exponents. The Ampriu pass, one of the entrances to the Aramón Cerler ski resort, has earned its fame among cyclists since it was included for the first time in the Vuelta a España in 1987. With a distance of 4.5 km and a average slope of 8.5%, this demanding port presents ramps that exceed 10%. As we ascend, we pass through the town of Cerler, with its traditional architecture and its parish of San Lorenzo.
On the other hand, the route to Llanos del Hospital begins in Benasque and takes us to the heart of the Posets Maladeta Natural Park. This 12 km long pass challenges us with a constant average gradient of 6.5%. Throughout the tour, we will be rewarded with spectacular views, following the meandering Ésera River. In this enclave, we will find the Benasque Hospital, an important historical reference point. Originally built in the 1200s, the hospital has been rebuilt in different locations due to avalanche damage over the centuries.
Once we have enjoyed the challenge and the views in both ports, we complete our route descending to Benasque. These classic passes in the Benasque Valley are an ideal option for road bike lovers looking for a demanding challenge and the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the region. Download the track of the route here!
In the Benasque Valley you will breathe road cycling like nowhere else and these are just three of the routes you can take through this privileged natural space. Without a doubt, a place that should be among your cycling destinations this summer.
