Puro Pirineo is the bicycle destination in the Benasque Valley (Huesca, Aragon, Spain). It is a territory that currently offers 40 mountain bike, gravel, and road routes, and it features a pump track in Castejón de Sos. Puro Pirineo has had a long-standing relationship with Trans-Nomad since its first edition. It is also one of the most visited national MTB destinations in the summer. Its high-altitude routes and long descents have made this destination a favorite among mountain bike, e-bike, and lift enthusiasts. Today, we meet their president, Tomás Arcas, to learn more about this wonderful area.
How many years has the Puro Pirineo project been running, and who is involved in it?
Puro Pirineo Association, which manages the project, was established in 2014. That same year, with the hosting of a Big Ride circuit event in June, we can say that it marked the beginning.
The association, consisting of over 100 entrepreneurs from the valley and 9 municipalities, forms the core. We receive support from the Provincial Council of Huesca through Tu Huesca, the Benasque Valley Tourist Association, and also the support of Orbea. I must not forget our guardians, the volunteers who, especially in the beginning, made it possible for the trails to meet the expected standards in terms of cleanliness, signage, etc.
Can it be said that Pure Pyrenees has been a catalyst for promoting cycling in the Benasque Valley and has become one of the most popular outdoor sports in summer?
Absolutely, Pure Pyrenees was born with the idea of promoting cycling in our valley, and now it is the reference in our territory for any bicycle-related action in any of its disciplines. It has even created a leisure proposal that currently ranks among the top activities demanded by visitors and locals in our valley.
Why would you recommend Puro Pirineo to a Trans-Nomad follower? Any essential routes?
We are Spain’s most alpine mountain biking destination, so riding, carrying, and descending with the Aneto peak in the background is a sensation that can only be experienced here.
One essential route is Sierra Negra, but there are other proposals such as La Picada and descending through Entecada to the Aran Valley, the traverse to the Ibón de Plan, or descending to the Armeña refuge halfway up this climb.
What are the biggest challenges faced by a destination like Puro Pirineo?
The main challenge for Puro Pirineo, and any MTB center, is to establish a long-lasting management structure.
What is Puro Pirineo’s vision for the future? Projects, objectives, etc.
At the moment, we have two projects to focus on, each at a different level of maturity:
The expansion of the MTB center to the southern area of Turbón (Campo, Lierp Valley, Bardají Valley, and Torrelarribera) and the creation of a bike park at the Aramón Cerler ski resort.
The objective is to create a destination for all cycling disciplines in the Benasque Valley, considering Enduro, Bike Park, Road, Natural-Family Trail, Gravel, Pump track, etc.
Lastly, what has Trans-Nomad meant and continues to mean for you in Puro Pirineo?
Trans-Nomad represents a promotional boost for our destination, as it aligns with our MTB center in terms of values and routes.
It involves practicing a sport in the mountains with a very alpine atmosphere, requiring a lot of technique and physical effort, and being environmentally conscious. It is not a mass event (limited registrations) and invests heavily in restoring the terrain to its original state after the event.
Many more years of Trans-Nomad!!!
