Overview

H.I.S.S. – High Intensity Sojourns in Spain

The HISS Rally 2014 – Catalonia is five days of fun and frolics in the Catalan Pyrenees. HISS rallies are informal with no fixed groups, no competitions and no pressure to perform. Rather riders help each other have a great time.

The Spanish Biker’s guides to over 600 kms of wild trails are legendary, with up to five ‘sections’ each with different characteristics, e.g. dense forest, wild mountains, summit romps . . . all accessible to all riders and types of bikes.

About the Venue 

This is a repeat of last year’s very successful HISS Rally, with many lessons learned. However, more trails have been mapped and surveyed, about 600 kms in all, which take the rally’s ‘territory’ beyond the range of the maps they used last year.  Only a handful of riders covered anywhere near the 450 kms of trails that were in the 2013 HISS and probably no one did them all (let alone the prospect of riding them the other way round!). So there will be plenty for HISS ‘veterans’ to ride!

The HISS trails are set out in five ‘Chapters’ that reflect different zones around the area. Although the chapters can be used as itineraries this not the primary intention. None of the chapters are meant to be mutually exclusive, nor do they indicate a grading scale of difficulty. Rather, the routes are grouped in themes pertaining to three different environments, which vary considerably in the relatively small area of the Pallars Jussà.

The surrounding sierras are almost entirely wilderness and each has its own special character. Note that the natural heritage in this area is important and three of the trails pass through nature reserves so special care should be taken respect the environment and to comply with the rules!

The Rivers High trails Deep – Mountains High trails are located in a mountainous zone more typical of the Pyrenees. Most have access to mountain pastures from isolated villages, hence are more populated, so care should be taken to avoid conflict with the residents – and the livestock!

The High Anxiety trail itself is well above the normal impact of agriculture, although horses and cattle graze freely there in summer. It is a high mountain environment well above the tree line and in the scree zone. It is also just within the border of the Aigüestortes National Park, where all motor traffic is usually prohibited, but in this case access is allowed.  Please respect this privilege lest it is removed!

Event Organizer: H.I.S.S.

To see the full event details click here.
Also, see the rally topic on Adventure Bike Rider Forum (which has links to earlier rally trip reports)