Berguedà Launches 'Pedal de Fil i Carbó' Bikepacking Route

The 350-kilometer, 10,000-meter elevation gain initiative aims to boost cycling tourism and local heritage.

Generic image of a gravel path through a forest, representing a bikepacking route.
IA

Generic image of a gravel path through a forest, representing a bikepacking route.

The Berguedà region has launched Pedal de Fil i Carbó, an innovative circular bikepacking route spanning 350 kilometers with over 10,000 meters of elevation gain, aiming to promote cycling tourism and the rich local heritage.

This initiative, driven by Velo Berga, is designed to be completed in six stages, though it offers flexibility for each cyclist to adapt it to their pace and conditions. The route traverses emblematic points of the region, including former textile colonies, coal mines, historic villages, the forests of Alt Berguedà, the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park, and the course of the Llobregat River, which serves as the backbone of the route.
The route's narrative is built upon two historical pillars: 'fil' (thread), representing the textile tradition and industrial colonies of the Llobregat, and 'carbó' (coal), evoking the mining heritage of towns like Fígols, Sant Corneli, and Peguera, as well as the region's industrial past.
The organizers, with the design by Marc Calmet and Alba Xandri, anticipate making the experience available to interested cyclists in the coming days. The route is self-guided and incorporates seven physical waypoints with QR codes, allowing for digital stamping of passage at each stage's end. Acquiring the official track, along with validating the waypoints, grants access to a commemorative souvenir.

"It is not a sports trophy, but a symbol of having explored Berguedà with depth and respect."

a representative from Velo Berga
Additionally, the project includes a route passport to encourage consumption at local establishments such as bars, accommodations, shops, and workshops, thereby helping to boost the local economy. The Pedal de Fil i Carbó Non-Stop version has also been introduced, a more intense two-day self-sufficiency experience scheduled for May 23 and 24, which maintains the essence of the original route in a more concentrated format.