The GLR 17 Motorcycle Adventure Route

	Font de Coll de Jou - Sort		216km
	87.1km off-road		May / September

Quick GLR 17 overview

The GLR 17 Motorcycle Adventure Route leads you for over 216 kilometers through the Catalonia region of Northern-Spain. 87 of those kilometers will traverse over off-road sections. If the going gets tough, The Back-up Tracks will support you with 5 different sections. With a total of 4 connecting GLRs to this GLR 17, you’re able to continue to Adventurise the region. Let’s get going!

GLR 17 Route info

Deep in the Pyrenees, there’s a country hidden away. Almost a fairytale-like place where Adventure Riders come from all over Europe. This is Andorra! The GLR 17 is your guide through this beautiful part of the High Pyrenees. You start your motorcycle adventure in Spain at Font de Coll de Jou. This drink water fountain is located at an intersection between three GLRs! You take the route up North. Your first kilometers are already off-road. After about 30 kilometers, the route will take you through the Natural Park Del Cadí-Moxeró. On and off-road sections succeed each other at a comfortable tempo. After about 130 km from your starting point, you cross the border with Andorra. Keep your passports at hand because there’s an active border control! When you successfully enter Andorra you head straight through its capital Andorra la Vella. Here’s the time to fill up because fuel is relatively cheap! From the capital on the GLR 17 guides you up the mountains. Be aware! Snowdrifts block the road as late as June! There’s no other way around, so check the Back-up Track for the alternative on-road route. When you’ve made it up the mountain, you’ve reached the highlight of this route! You’re at the tail end of the infamous “ Tabacos Smugglers Pass”. This trail leads you back into Spain via the back door of Andorra. After reaching the asphalt in the valley a longer on-road section guides you to your destination in Sort by crossing the Alt Pirineu Natural Park. In Sort, you have again plenty of connecting GLRs to continue your off-road adventure! See the connections section down below for all your options.

see connections

GLR 17 Region

Deep in the mountains, there’s a route leading the Adventurisers of Europe around. This GLR 17 crosses one of the most beautiful regions of the Pyrenees. From the peaks of Andorra to the Natural Parks of Lleida. Read all about it down below!

Andorra

The Principality of Andorra is a sovereign landlocked microstate located in the eastern Pyrenees. Andorra is bordered by Spain to the south and France to the north. Although it’s sovereignty it holds close bonds with its neighboring countries. The official language is Catalan, but French, Spanish and Portuguese are widely spoken. The main capital of the principality is Andorra la Vella, also known as Europe’s highest capital at an elevation of 1023 meters. Andorra is mountainous and its landscape is predominantly shaped by the rugged Pyrenees mountain range. At an average elevation of 1996 meters above sea level, this country is a dream for us as Adventurisers! The country is formed by its Y-shaped valley, which locates most of its villages. It’s highest peak Coma Pedra at 2943 meters, is readily visible from the GLR 17! The Climate of Andorra is highly determined by its geographical landmarks. Microclimates have the overhand, but in general, an Alpine climate is the most abundant. The months of May, June, and August see the most precipitation. In winter, most of the roads are covered by snow. I’ve endured snow at the end of May, so be prepared for Andorra’s unpredictable weather!

Lleida

In the north-east of Spain, you find the province of Lleida. As it’s located in the west of the autonomous region of Catalonia, it’s often referred to as the “west”. The capital which carries the same name houses 30% of the population.

With the Pyrenees to the north, it’s especially an upcoming destination for adventure tourists. In the north, you also find Catalonia’s only National Park: Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. As this may be a beautiful area to explore on foot, for us as motorcycle riders it’s a little more difficult to find the trails we long to.

A little more to the south, in the Pre-Pyrenees, lots of mountain trails lead us through the hills. Due to its alpine climate, it can be quite chilly in spring, so expect the occasional snowdrift when planning your ride.

If we progress even more to the south, we find the central plains of Lleida. Freedom becomes a new expression in this area. Here you’re able to ride amongst the fields, meadows and century-old olive groves. With its inland climate, the summer can be hot. The many gorges and little lakes provide you with occasional refreshments.

Besides the abundance of the natural features in the province, Lleida has also a rich Romanesque heritage. You’ll encounter many ruins while exploring the backcountry. One of its main features is the churches of the Vall de Boi, which have been declared part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Adventurising isn’t only about getting as fast from A to B! A Region has so much more to offer! That’s why I give you some suggestions about things to do while Adventurising the GLR 17.

Pedraforca

This mountain has a special place in the local community’s heart. The extraordinary shape rises from its surroundings, making it appear as a standalone mountain. The sun rises are amazing, so you better get up early!
more info

The Smugglers Pass

Taking the backdoor into Andorra! As part of the GLR 17, you take the infamous mountain pass known as Tobacco Road or the Smuggler’s Route over the mountains into the autonomous country of Andorra.

Cascades De L’Artigue

These waterfalls are an hour walk from the parking spot, offering a nice midday break during your adventure!
more info

Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park

The only National Park of the autonomous region of Catalonia! The Name of this park translates freely into “The winding streams and St. Maurice lake”, which refers to the many lakes with a glacial origin. With almost 200 lakes and peaks rising above 3000m, this is a National Park to visit during your day off!
more info

Thank you for downloading the GLR 17! Good luck with Adventurising Europe. Speaking of Adventurising Europe, to keep the project going and free, we’re relying on a mix of sponsored advertisements and Adventuriser donations. Do you like what we’re doing and you want to support the project? Please consider a donation. You can read more about donations and support here.

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Continue your GLR 17 Adventure by connecting different GLRs. To make your life even simpler, I’ve put together all the options down below!

Connections in Font de Coll de Jou

The Catalan region is in front of you! Either you go east with GLR 16. This GLR will lead you just past the Mediterranean coast, where after you head up north where this route ends just over the French border. The GLR 16 stretches over 342 kilometers, of which 113 will be off-road.

To GLR 16

Or you go west over the amazing GLR 23 route. The GLR 23 sports over 257 kilometers of off-road sections! Yes, this route navigates 57% of the total of 446km over off-road sections.

Coming Soon!

GLR 17 Connection Overview Font de Coll de Jou

Connections in Sort

Just after the infamous “Smugglers Pass”, your GLR 17 adventure ends in Sort. From here you can take the GLR 18 to continue your motorcycle adventure over the French border. The GLR 18 leads you over 206 kilometers to the French side of the Pyrenees. With almost 95 km of off-road sections, this route won’t let you down!

To GLR 18

Not yet done with Spain? Take the GLR 22 west to Jaca. This GLR will show you a great variety of landscapes. See this 327 km long GLR as a sightseeing tour, but still the adventurous way. The GLR 22 packs 103 kilometers of off-road sections, so it won’t be boring!

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Explore.Ride.Adventurise.

Exploring Europe through the eyes of an adventure rider. Making Europe a better place for adventure riders by creating the GLR Network.

As an Adventuriser you get access to our special Back-up Tracks for the GLR-network. These routes function as a back-up when the going gets tough. In the event you need to circumnavigate a piece of the original GLR, the Back-Up Track will lead you via paved road to the next section.

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