FATMAP by Strava

Quebrantahuesos Road Cycling Route

A spectacular route in the Aragon and French Pyrenees

Road Biking Severe

Distance
199 km
Ascent
3.8 km
Descent
3.8 km
Duration
1 day +
Low Point
313 m
High Point
1.8 km
Gradient
Quebrantahuesos Road Cycling Route Map

The Quebrantahuesos 200km Gran Fondo bike ride has 3500m of climb hence its name, the Bonebreaker. The 'bearded vulture' (Quebrantahuesos in Spanish) is a huge bird of prey that drops bones from a great height to crack them before eating the marrow inside.

Description

The ride starts and finishes in Sabiñánigo in northern Spain in June each year. From there 11,000 riders head west to Jaca, north into the Pyrenees, taking in the Col de Somport, east over the Marie Blanque, then south over the Portalet and Hoz de Jaca. All four climbs are Hors Categorie and the whole route is on closed roads. Pro riders lead the ride and finish in under 8 hours, many are just content to finish before dark. In June there is heat in Spain, lush forest in France, lakes, snow-capped mountains and good support along the route. Enter early as it is a popular and memorable ride.

The Quebrantahuesos is the leading event in the country of popular cycling, annually concentrating more than 10,000 riders and receiving more than 14,000 applications for participation.

The spectacular course in the Aragon and French Pyrenees, and the possibility of completing historic Tour de France mountain passes, make this one of the most beautiful cycling routes from a scenic perspective.

Difficulty

Severe

Best time to visit

between June and September