Mountain biking: mountain biking across Spain

Spain is great for mountain biking in natural settings. The network of mountain biking (MTB) centres is growing all the time, making it easier for enthusiasts to discover amazing places with the safety and facilities they need. Come and cycle hundreds of kilometres alone, with your friends or with your family.

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WHY SPAIN

The good climate in Spain means that mountain biking can be practised practically all year round.There are many types of landscapes, from coastal areas to mountainous highlands. In fact, many of the trails run through protected natural spaces. Did you know that Spain has the most Biosphere Reserves in the world, and 16 National Parks?As well as long mountain biking and hiking routes, called “Gran Travesía”, which take a few days, there is a growing network of MTB Centres, which can advise you on how to do specific routes. The routes generally avoid stretches with car traffic, conventional and two-way roads.Many of the Mountain Bike Centres in Spain organise excursions, outings and training courses.

Spain has a wide range of accommodation options (hotels, apartments, campsites, country house lodges, etc.) and a wide range of prices. There are even so-called “Bike Hotels”, particularly in Mallorca, the Canary Islands and the Pyrenees, which offer a host of services like bike parking areas with security cameras, bike washing areas, free downloads of GPS routes, massages, special menus for athletes, bike hire and planned circuits.Cycling is very much part of the culture in Spain, and there is even a race that is famous all over the world: the Vuelta a España. You can take on some of the stages with your mountain bike.

WHAT IS AN MTB CENTRE

It is an open-air space designed for mountain bikers and for the safe practice of mountain biking. From the Mountain Bike Centre, there are several routes (either on wide tracks or less travelled paths) and they usually have the following characteristics:A welcome point where you will find tourist information.A parking area, showers, washing points, repair and bike rental (if you don't bring your own).Technical information on each route, routes classified by level and graphical materials with maps.

Family mountain biking in Tenerife above a sea of clouds

SIGNAGE

The mountains use internationally approved signposting (especially in the Basque Country). However, each zone has implemented its own signage.Many routes do not use static signs, in order to protect the countryside.

AREAS

Within the mountain bike routes, the Gran Travesía Routes stand out, unique routes of more than 100 kilometres with a great natural value or that pass through a unique location.Some of them are very famous:TransAndalus: A mountain bike route of about 2,000 kilometres around Andalusia.The Trans-Pyrenees: Crossing the Pyrenees.Canary Islands: trails crossing lava fields on volcanic islands.As for MTB Centres, there are many in Catalonia especially.

Cyclists on the Silver Route passing through Asturias

BIKE PARKS

If you like mountain biking and being surrounded by stunning landscapes, you will surely be interested in the Bike Parks, which are mountain bike circuits of different formats, usually downhill and with artificial and natural obstacles. Most of them are in ski resorts such as La Molina, Manzaneda, La Pinilla and Sierra Nevada. There are also others in the surroundings of natural areas such as La Fenasosa. They usually offer bikes and accessories for hire.

MOUNTAIN BIKE CENTRES AND MOUNTAIN PASSES

On the website Cycling routes in Spain (www.spainbybike.es)you can find information about the main mountain bike centres and the most important mountain passes in Spain. You will also find an interactive map with the routes, stages and major itineraries that exist in the different areas of the country, as well as useful information for planning (profile and type of route, distance, gradient, degree of difficulty, sections, points of interest, downloading tracks, etc.).

Tips and recommendations

TIPS

- Take a GPS or map and compass with you. Always wear a helmet and appropriate clothing. Other important items are sunglasses and clear glasses, a tool kit and a small first aid kit for long journeys.- At night and in tunnels, you should always wear reflective clothing.- Front and rear lights must be visible at 50 metres.- Take into account the weather forecast before setting out on your journey. If you're going to the wilderness, tell someone you trust about your plans.- Choose a route according to your physical ability.- In Spain, cyclists are generally prohibited from riding on motorways and dual carriageways. However, those over 14 years of age may do so on the hard shoulders of motorways, unless a sign forbids it.- If you come to Spain by plane and want to bring your bicycle with you, it must be properly packed. Some companies charge extra for carrying the bike. The same thing happens with long-distance coach companies. Keep this in mind before purchasing tickets.- For mountain biking it is recommended to take out medical insurance, property insurance and civil liability insurance. Before coming, you can choose to register with a federation in your country and have your federation extend your insurance coverage to Spain, or, if necessary, obtain travel insurance, which includes medical assistance and civil liability.- When it comes to accommodation, please note that free camping is not always allowed.- For further information, you can contact the respective cycling federations of each area. You can also visit the website of the Spanish Royal Cycling Federation.- In many of the official tourism websites of each area of Spain and on specialised MTB websites you can download the tracks of the routes. Many Mountain Bike Centres have their own website.- There are organisations and companies that organise guided Mountain Bike routes. Many even take care of accommodation bookings, as well as luggage transport and provide route maps, GPS tracks, welcome products, personalised timekeeping...- Since the recommendations and regulations may change, you should always check the requirements before starting the trip.

Mountain biking in Spain