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Mountain biking enthusiasts searching for thrilling summer activities in Andorra should look no further than Pal Arinsal Bike Park, previously known as Vallnord Bike Park. This is one of the most incredible networks of mountain bike trails in the entire Pyrenees Mountain Range, and the proud reputation that this site built up while it was called Pal Arinsal Bike Park remains to this day.
Part of the reason the Pal Arinsal Bike Park became so famous was the fact that it became a regular stop on the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup calendar. It was back in 2008 that the Pal Arinsal Bike Park hosted its first MTB World Cup, attracting 20,000 spectators. That notable crowd and the passionate atmosphere saw the MTB World Cup return the very next year in 2009, with several high-profile MTB events having taken place at this venue in the years since. Most recently, the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships 2024 came to the Pal Arinsal Bike Park in the summer of 2024, and this was another major success.
The Pal Arinsal Bike Park isn’t just for pro cyclists, though. The public can experience the thrills of the very same routes during the Andorran summer, once the snow melts and the Pal Arinsal ski resort becomes a mountain biker’s dream. The opportunity to ride the very same routes as the world’s best bikers isn’t just cool for that inherent reason, but it also means you can experience some of the best-maintained biking routes in the world. At Pal Arinsal, there is a qualified bike patrol team tasked with building and maintaining the circuits, and their expertise has helped create a bike park like no other.
Where is the Pal Arinsal Bike Park?
So, where exactly is the Pal Arinsal Bike Park? Well, if you look up the Bike Park map you’ll see that the routes are primarily located around the Pal sector of the Pal Arinsal ski resort.
You can get to this area via the cable car from La Massana, which is the nearest town to the park. It’s worth noting that this is also very close to Andorra la Vella, which is the capital city of Andorra. It’s just a 15-minute drive from the capital to this MTB paradise, meaning the Pal Arinsal Bike Park is very accessible if you’re arriving into the capital city, which is often the case for those biking enthusiasts travelling from outside of Andorra. The proximity to the capital city also makes Andorra la Vella a popular accommodation choice for those visiting the Pal Arinsal Bike Park.
As for the geography and layout of the park itself, what immediately stands out when you study the Pal Arinsal Bike Park map is just how many different kinds of MTB routes there are in such a small area. There are some 30 circuits to explore, covering more than 50 kilometres. These include a mix of cross-country, enduro and downhill circuits, while they have also installed new Andorra E-Bike circuits to make the sport even more accessible. From the highest point, the Pic del Cubil, down to the town of La Massana, the elevation drop is an incredible 1,000 metres. That’s 1,000 metres of mountain biking fun!
Taking a look at the services provided by Pal Arinsal Bike Park, these include: a bike school, a bike rental facility, a bike cleaning station, E-Bike charging docks, a shop, an ATM, a playground for children and several of the best restaurants in Andorra. So, a day at the Pal Arinsal Bike Park can be about much more than just mountain biking.
As for purchasing your Pal Arinsal Bike Park tickets, this can even be done online before you arrive. By visiting the Pal Arinsal website, part of the Grandvalira Resorts Andorra network, you can find offers on Pal Arinsal Bike Park prices and purchase your tickets for the park, while you can access the most up-to-date Pal Arinsal Bike Park opening times, which can vary throughout the season. Regarding the Pal Arinsal Bike Park opening dates 2024, it’s also worth checking the website to find the exact dates it’ll be open and to make sure you’re not visiting when one of the professional MTB competitions are taking place, since some of the routes might be closed off to the public on such weekends.
What is the most famous bike park?
When it comes to what is the most famous bike park in Andorra, it is without a doubt the Pal Arinsal Bike Park, given the impressive reputation it has built up over the years, from its days as Pal Arinsal Bike Park to now.
This bike park is even famous outside of Andorra’s borders, and was ranked by Red Bull as the fourth best bike park on the planet. Considering the company’s reputation in the world of outdoor sports, that’s quite an endorsement.
What is the biggest bike park in France?
Looking further afield, you might be curious to know what is the biggest bike park in all of Europe. While there are different ways to measure this, so no true consensus, the biggest bike park in Europe is often said to be Les Portes du Soleil. This is a huge sprawling biking network across France and also Switzerland, with over 600 kilometres of trails in total. And, with Pal Arinsal Bike Park in the nearby Pyrenees, it’s clear that this part of Europe is a haven for mountain bikers.