When it comes to doing a mountain bike route through the countryside, it is very common to have doubts about whether certain paths are suitable for cycling or if, on the contrary, they are prohibited for cyclists. On many occasions, these issues are not properly signposted. It is common that, on new mountain bike routes through unfamiliar areas or after a wrong turn on the route, you find yourself lost and on paths you didn't know, and you have doubts about whether they are allowed for cyclists.
There are several tools that will allow you to get out of this predicament and know if the track, path, or trail can be crossed by mountain bikes or if it is more suitable for road bikes. In this article, we offer you basic instructions and tips to identify the trails and paths suitable for cycling, as well as those that are prohibited.
Before starting any route, whether on mountain bikes or road bikes, it is crucial to talk about a very important factor: planning.
Apps to check and download routes
Before you set out on a new mountain bike route or on complicated mountain trails, generally isolated and rarely frequented by people, it is essential to organize the route in advance. This means getting the track of the route and studying the paths in navigation apps such as Google Earth, Google Maps, Wikiloc, Strava or Komoot, the most used and widespread by bikers all over the world (although there are many more and also free ones like Routes). It is also advisable to use a GPS device that can load that route or track and give real-time navigation instructions, either with your own phone or with an external device (from Garmin, Polar, Sigma, etc). You don't need to have a latest-generation device to have a navigator on your bike and avoid getting lost in the countryside. With easy-to-use apps and thousands of routes uploaded by their users, such as the aforementioned Wikiloc and Komoot, it is possible. Both have navigation functions, the latter even by voice, so it is not even necessary to have your phone installed on the handlebar to see the map. But to have the navigation function operational you will need to download the Premium version of both.
On the SIGPAC website you can search for the type of ownership of the paths and areas where you want to go cycling
Also keep in mind that many user routes have some errors and are not updated. Before downloading the track Check the publication date of the route carefully and read its description thoroughly, in case the author indicates any important incidents regarding the route that you should be aware of. In addition to the mobile applications mentioned, which you can download from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store (iPhone), there is the option of getting a cycle computer with navigation function. The investment is higher, although it comes with more advantages such as its more compact size and greater accuracy when giving directions about the route.
Tools to know if a path is private or public
In addition to riding with a GPS device, you should make sure what type of land you are crossing and the ownership of the paths. It is possible that some of the mountain areas are protected. Or that they are intensive hunting grounds with paths closed during open season (mainly from October to February). These are very relevant details that are important to know to avoid problems with landowners and possible fines. A quick method to find out if any of the paths on the route are private or public is to first check the website of SIGPAC, where you can search on an interactive map for the different estates or plots in the area and the type of ownership of land and paths. Checking SIGPAC or the Land Registry website in advance to determine the ownership of the paths will be very useful, not only to avoid fines or disputes with landowners but also to prevent possible abuses by them, such as a path being marked as private when it is for public use. If this is the case, it is advisable to join forces with local cycling or hiking clubs and associations and report these illegal practices. However, in general, these are not very common practices, and it is normal for private paths to be well marked and fenced to prevent cyclists from entering. These are usually square informational signs with the prohibition written on them, closed metal gates, or thick chains with a circular 'no entry' sign.
Private hunting ground signs do not imply a prohibition on cycling through their paths
On the other hand, if you find a private hunting ground sign, passage along the path will be allowed as long as there is no other sign indicating otherwise. However, you must cross the hunting ground while always staying on the path and not riding on the adjacent land, which is not public.
Bikeable paths in reserves and natural parks
In the case of protected natural areas, whether they are regional, natural, or national parks, bicycle traffic on trails is limited to those specifically marked as such, either with color markings on trees or stones and signs. Generally, it is forbidden to leave these trails, which are delimited in this way with the aim of preserving the area's flora and fauna. There may also be speed limits or prohibitions for certain types of bicycles, such as electric ones. A prior reconnaissance of the route and reviewing the park's rules will be very useful in these cases, in addition to trying to find information about the condition of the trails and whether they are suitable for cycling. In this regard, apps like Wikiloc work as a kind of online forum or social network where users comment on the route, detailing these issues. There are many cases in Spain of routes designed for hikers, whose paths, due to the condition of the surface or the slope, are impassable for a mountain bike. Crossing them by bicycle is not a recommended practice. In addition to the danger posed by the uneven terrain, the narrowness of the path, or the slope, there is a risk of colliding with hikers.
Tuvalum Team
