Gravel riding on altitude: Grava Lybica

La Cerdanya is increasingly attracting gravel cyclists. This Catalan territory, long known for its sublime road cycling, is now also home to Grava Lybica, a high-altitude gravel weekend that adds a new layer to the region’s cycling identity.

La Cerdanya is a true paradise for gravel riding, even though it has traditionally been associated with road cycling. It offers an extensive network of forest tracks, rural paths, and connections between villages that allow for highly varied, low-traffic routes. The open landscape of the valley, surrounded by mountains, provides a very different experience: less traffic, more nature, and a constant sense of adventure.

Llívia

The new event, organised by the tourism board of La Cerdanya together with Pertot and Cerdanya Cycling Culture, builds a gravel experience in the heart of the Pyrenees. It stands out by highlighting the territory, local culture, and the cycling community. The goal is not only to compete, rather to discover La Cerdanya in an authentic way, with carefully designed routes, a refined organisation, and an atmosphere that connects cycling in nature with its surroundings.

What sets the event in Llívia — the Catalan enclave inside France — apart is the altitude that participants reach during the gravel weekend. Riding high in the Pyrenees adds an extra layer of physical challenge. As most riders know, the air is thinner, and climbing can feel harder than it looks on paper.

The organisation promises some of the most beautiful Catalan scenery, where tranquillity makes the effort worthwhile, creating a more immersive and memorable experience. At the same time, the format remains self-supported, encouraging riders to manage their own effort while sharing the route and the landscape with others, with each start and finish in Llívia.

The social heart of the weekend is La Foguera, the village where everything comes together: music, talks, food trucks, beer, and kids’ activities. Before the big weekend, there is a Social Ride to discover part of the route and meet the community.

It is clear that Grava Lybica will be a demanding event that requires a solid level of fitness from each participant. With stages reaching around 110 km and up to 2,500 metres of elevation gain, it is primarily aimed at experienced riders who are well prepared.

That said, it is not limited to elite racers: any cyclist with specific training and a willingness to push their limits can take on the challenge and fully enjoy the experience.