The best traffic-free bike rides around Tauste

The gravel bike trails in the region, particularly within the nearby Bardenas Reales Natural Park, are characterized by extensive dirt tracks and gravel roads. You'll encounter varied surfaces across a unique semi-desert landscape, featuring eroded badlands, vast open plains, and striking clay and sandstone structures. This provides a truly distinctive off-road cycling experience.

While the guide features routes primarily rated moderate to difficult, the Bardenas Reales Natural Park, accessible from Tauste, offers a range of gravel routes, some of which are more accessible and feature less climbing, making them suitable for families. These sections often have no car traffic, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable experience for all ages.

The elevation gains vary significantly depending on the route. For example, the 'Borja – Castle of Cortes loop from Novillas' has an elevation gain of around 315 meters, while the 'Canal de Tauste – Paridera de los Hermanos loop from Gallur' involves a more substantial climb of approximately 521 meters. The longer 'El Bocal Dam and Canal Path – Grisén Walls loop from Cortes' has an elevation gain of about 208 meters over its 126 km distance.

The region offers unique natural features, especially in the Bardenas Reales Natural Park, with its 'lunar' landscape and iconic formations like Castildetierra. Closer to Tauste, you might encounter highlights such as Peña del Fraile, the Pino de Val de Navarro, or the Alto de San Esteban. The Refugio Pilarotes is also a notable point of interest in the broader area.

The Bardenas Reales Natural Park, being a semi-desert, experiences extreme temperatures. Spring and autumn are generally the best seasons for gravel biking, offering milder weather conditions. Summers can be very hot, and winters can be cold, so planning your visit during the shoulder seasons will provide the most comfortable riding experience.

Generally, no specific permits are required for cycling on the designated public tracks within the Bardenas Reales Natural Park. However, it's always advisable to check the official park regulations before your visit, especially for any seasonal restrictions or specific areas that might require special permission.

While specific parking areas for each route are not detailed in this guide, towns like Tauste, Gallur, Cortes, and Novillas, which serve as starting points for many routes, typically offer public parking facilities. For routes within the Bardenas Reales, designated parking areas are usually available at key access points to the park.

Public transport options directly to the trailheads might be limited. Tauste itself is connected by bus services to larger towns. However, reaching specific starting points for gravel routes, especially those deep within the Bardenas Reales, often requires personal vehicle transport. Consider using Tauste as a base and driving to the nearest access points.

The komoot community highly rates the routes in this area, with an average score of 5.0 stars. Reviewers often praise the unique, otherworldly landscapes of the Bardenas Reales, the extensive network of traffic-free gravel tracks, and the sense of solitude and immersion in nature that these trails provide.

While many outdoor areas in Spain are dog-friendly, specific regulations for dogs within the Bardenas Reales Natural Park can vary, especially concerning wildlife protection. It's crucial to keep dogs on a leash and ensure they do not disturb local fauna. Always check the latest park rules regarding pets before bringing your dog on a ride.

Many of the no-traffic gravel routes, especially those within the Bardenas Reales, traverse remote areas with limited services. It's highly recommended to carry sufficient water and snacks. You'll find cafes and restaurants in the towns that serve as starting points or are nearby, such as Tauste, Gallur, Cortes, or Novillas, but not typically along the trails themselves.

The routes in this guide vary significantly in length. For instance, the 'Borja – Castle of Cortes loop from Novillas' is about 50 kilometers, while the 'Canal de Tauste – Paridera de los Hermanos loop from Gallur' is around 59 kilometers. The longest route, 'El Bocal Dam and Canal Path – Grisén Walls loop from Cortes', stretches over 126 kilometers, offering options for various endurance levels.