Routes for mountain biking in the province of Ceuta

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

Ceuta, one of the two autonomous cities of the Kingdom of Spain in North Africa, has become an increasingly attractive destination for cycling enthusiasts. Despite its small municipal area, bordered by the frontier with Morocco and the Mediterranean Sea, this city boasts a long cycling tradition, especially in the field of mountain biking and cycle touring.

Among the most popular events are the Subida a los Fuertes, the Police MTB Championship and the San Urbano Cycle Touring March, all of them ideal for those who enjoy effort and adventure on mountain bikes. The routes that cross the Sierra de Bullones offer demanding XC (cross country) sections, perfect for testing both the endurance and technique of bikers.

In addition, for those who practice endurance cycling or cycle touring, there are routes that cross the border with Morocco and connect Ceuta with Tetouan, ideal for those who prefer road bikes and are looking to discover new landscapes between the coast and the interior. These marathon routes combine physical challenge with the cultural richness of the region, making them a perfect option for those who wish to combine sport, nature, and discovery.

Whether you are passionate about MTB or prefer long paved routes, Ceuta is a unique spot to enjoy cycling in all its forms.

Routes of the Local Police MTB Championship

This route follows the course of the XXI Spanish MTB Championship for Local Police, a race held annually in Ceuta in which local police from all over Spain participate. It is a short-distance XC circuit, with less than 13 kilometers on tracks. However, despite the short length of the route, in just over 12 kilometers there is a vertical gain of superior up to 500 meters, putting our physical condition to the test. Most of the route is false flat and uphill. The route passes by some points of interest, such as the Mirador de Isabel II and the neo-medieval forts of Isabel II and Francisco de Asis. This is a route you can do throughout the year.

Smir Reservoir Route

This route starts from Ceuta and crosses Moroccan territory up to the vicinity of Tetouan, next to the Smir Reservoir, then returns to the city of Ceuta. The views of the reservoir and the surrounding mountains are well worth it. It is a long-distance route (over 70 kilometers), but it mainly runs along well-maintained unpaved tracks without major technical demands. The hardest section is the second third of the route, where most of the short steep climbs and ascents are concentrated. In any case, it would also be possible to do this route with a gravel bicycle.

Neomedieval Forts Route

This route starts from the city and skirts the northern coast along the Benzú road to take the so-called border forts trail in the heights of the Sierra de Bullones and the Anyera ravine. This is a path that connects the neo-medieval cross-border forts built in the last third of the 19th century, which guarded the border between Spain and Morocco established by the Treaty of Wad Ras in 1860. These fortifications, now out of use, are still standing and are well worth visiting by bike.