Routes for mountain biking in the province of Albacete

Rutas para salir en bicicleta de montaña en la provincia de Albacete

🚴 Discover Albacete by bike: routes through plains, mountains, and lagoons

Although much of its terrain is flat, the province of Albacete hides true natural wonders that are well worth exploring on two wheels. Whether with mountain bikes or road bikes, this Manchegan territory offers routes for all tastes, from gentle plains to lively mountain environments full of scenery.

For lovers of the most adventurous cycling, mountain bikes are the best option to explore some of the most spectacular corners of the province. To the north, for example, the Cabriel riverbed, with its gorges and canyons, offers unique landscapes that you can discover on an exciting MTB route from Alcalá del Júcar, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain.

In the heart of the province, an ideal route for both mountain bikes and road bikes is the one that goes through the Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park. This impressive group of more than 20 interconnected lagoons, known as the "Beach of La Mancha," allows you to enjoy a privileged natural environment, with routes adapted to all levels.

And to the south, for the most demanding, the Sierra de Alcaraz and the source of the Mundo river are the perfect setting for an epic day on MTB. This tributary of the Segura springs from a canyon over 300 meters high, surrounded by lush Mediterranean forests, ideal for lovers of mountain biking and pure nature cycling.

Júcar Canyons Route

Route starting and ending in Alcalá del Júcar, one of the most beautiful towns in the province where you can visit the Júcar canyons, large gorges, and deep cliffs along the winding course of the river of the same name, renowned for its scenic beauty. The route begins in the picturesque town of Albacete and runs mostly parallel to the river, within the canyon. You must ride carefully in some sections because the left side is quite exposed to the river, but with caution, there is hardly any risk of falling. In addition to the route through the river canyon, you climb twice to the top of the cliffs, entering the most typical landscapes of the La Mancha plain, specifically those of the Manchuela region.

  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Type: XC / Trail
  • Distance: 58.4 kilometers
  • Elevation gain: 1,126 meters
  • Route type: Circular
  • Start/finish: Alcalá del Júcar
  • See the track of the route on Wikiloc

Lagunas de Ruidera Route

The Lagunas de Ruidera form the headwaters of the Guadiana River and are also part of a natural park of high ecological and recreational value. Their fine sandy shores fill with swimmers every summer, and this spot is popularly known as the beaches of Albacete or the beach of La Mancha. Different mountain bike routes can be done around them. The one we present here is long, although it does not involve great difficulty. It starts from Ossa de Montiel and the first part of the route is flat, though dotted with short climbs. Shortly after, a long and fun descent to the lagoons begins. On this route, you skirt some of the largest and most important lagoons: del Rey, Colgada, or Batana, before returning to the Manchegan village on a slight incline.

Route of the Source of the Mundo River

In the Sierra de Alcaraz, in the south of the province almost at the border with Jaén, lies the site of the Source of the Mundo River, visited every year by thousands of people. The Mundo is a tributary of the Segura River that emerges to the surface as a gigantic waterfall from a 300-meter-high cliff or crag. It is the main attraction of this demanding route of almost 60 kilometers and 1,600 meters of positive elevation gain, starting and ending in the town of Riópar. The route combines asphalt, tracks, trails, and technical sections, with a high technical component in the area of the river source. The most recommended time of year for this route is spring, which is when the waterfall and the rest of the cascades in the area have the most water.