Collét de Bastarra

The tour from the valley of the Riera de Llémena river up into the Rocacorba nature reserve offers a special service for the off-road community - specially signposted routes for four-wheelers, enduros and quads. Something like this should definitely be imitated. But even without the special signage, this tour is great fun. It combines nature, culture and off-road fun perfectly. Anyone with off-road experience will get their money's worth here.

The start: Coming from Sant Martí de Llémena, we turn onto the GIV-5315 after just under two kilometers, leaving the hamlet of Granolla de Rocacorba on the left and one kilometer later we find ourselves in the middle of the world of stones, rocks, furrows, gullies and steps. The tires scrape over the black volcanic rock and look for grip. A good tire profile and sufficient ground clearance are basic requirements here. Enduro riders should be able to safely reach the ground with their legs and drive a gravel bend. You have to keep avoiding overhanging branches on the already narrow path.

Surprisingly, at a height of 705 meters, the Collét de Bastarra emerges from the dense green of the forest. No view, so we carry on. This is now easier as the trail becomes less demanding. Passing the chapel of Santa Maria de la Freixa, we reach the final stretch of this tour at a fairly constant altitude. It runs on a decent trail with sharp switchbacks down to Mieres, the last part of which is tarred.