4 Bikespots for your MTB-Roadtrip in Spain and France
Real adventures don’t start at the airport – they start on the open road. Together with my self-built campervan, my buddy Bastian, and a huge craving for trail time, we set off on a ten-day road trip heading south. We explored some of the best riding spots between Bavaria and the Mediterranean – and here are the four absolute highlights of the trip.
First stop: Pierron Bikepark in France
The journey started in Waldsassen. I hit the road solo and picked up Bastian in Freiburg. After around twelve hours of driving, we reached the Pierron Bikepark in the Auvergne region – a true hidden gem.
The park has no fixed opening hours, so you have to organize your own shuttle. While they offer a shuttle service for groups of five or more, it was just the two of us. Luckily, we found Valentin Anouilh – yep, the guy who jumps over the Tour de France peloton (you’ve probably seen that clip!).
So, we got the e-bikes ready and pedaled up ourselves – six laps powered by our own legs. We found an amazing wild camping spot by the river through a camping app. Absolutely perfect to relax and recharge.
Next up: La Sorrera Bikepark near Barcelona
After a bonus shuttle day with Valentin, we continued our journey to Spain. About five and a half hours later, we arrived at La Sorrera Bikepark – only 40 minutes from Barcelona.
The park is open daily from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM and offers everything you could ask for: trails of all difficulty levels, a World Cup line, massive tables, and well-maintained jumps. We spent two full days riding – just enough time to memorize most of the lines.
If you still have energy left, check out the 4 Riders Bikepark, just an hour away. Sadly, we missed it because it only opens on weekends – and we were already heading back to France.
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Spot three: Freeriding in Les Terres Noires
Back in France, our next destination was the surreal moon-like terrain of Les Terres Noires, which literally means "The Black Lands."
Once again, we found a beautiful riverside camp spot via our go-to app. After a chill coffee in the historic town center, we geared up and hit the trails.
This area isn’t a bike park – it’s pure freeride heaven. Dark rock, wide-open terrain, and endless possibilities. Our route was physically demanding, and my battery nearly died on the last climb – but I made it back to the van just in time.
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Final stop: Evo Bikepark – ending on a high
To wrap up the trip, we headed to the legendary Evo Bikepark near Digne-les-Bains, just 30 minutes from Les Terres Noires. If you’re in the area, this spot is a must.
They’ve got it all: from flowy beginner trails to big jump lines with serious gaps. Shuttle runs happen with massive trucks – which gives it a proper pro vibe.
Not all trails were open yet, but the ones we could ride were more than worth it. I’m already planning to return in the summer.
🎟️ Day pass: €35. Lunch break from 12:30 to 1:30 PM, with good food available right in the park.
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The bikes – what worked best?
We brought two bikes on the trip – my Ghost E-Riot Full Party (e-bike) and the Ghost Riot Advanced (classic enduro).
To be honest, I ended up riding the e-bike about 90% of the time – even in the bike parks. Why? I had just gotten the new E-Riot and wanted to put it through its paces. The mullet setup (29" front, 27.5" rear) suits my riding style perfectly. With a dialed-in suspension setup, the bike was an absolute blast.
If you're planning a similar trip, I recommend bringing:
An e-bike and a classic enduro or freeride bike.
The e-bike gives you flexibility for long trail rides and makes climbing easy when there's no shuttle. While a traditional enduro might be better in the park, my E-Riot handled everything impressively well.
And if you’ve got extra van space: bring your dirt jump bike! In Barcelona, La Poma Bikepark is one of the most famous dirt parks in the world – sadly, we didn’t have room for it this time.
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Don’t forget these essentials
🛡️ Protection: Full-face helmet, half shell, chest/back/knee pads
👟 Flat pedal shoes: grip is everything
🧰 Tools: multitool, tire levers, tire plugs, spare tube, CO₂ cartridge, pump
📸 Action cam with ND filter for capturing the highlights
👕 Clothing: riding gear, casual wear, rain jacket – the weather varied a lot
☕ Kitchen gear: gas stove, moka pot, pan, mugs, cutlery – for that essential morning coffee
🧾 Important docs: ID, credit card, insurance card
Top food & drink tips
Café de la Tour (near Pierron Bikepark) – perfect for an after-ride beer
Resto Schuss – killer burger and fries
Gammarus Beach Club – beachside, chill vibes, great food
Final thoughts – the ultimate bike road trip
Ten days, four incredible bike spots, one van, and countless memories. This was a dream trip for any mountain biker who loves travel, trails, and the freedom of the open road.
Whether it’s bike park action or wild freeride terrain, Spain and southern France deliver big time. So if you’re looking for new trails, good vibes, and real adventure: pack the van, grab your bike – and just go!
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