Routes for mountain biking in the province of Jaén

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

The mountainous orography of Jaén, with natural gems such as the Sierra de Cazorla or the Sierra Mágina, makes this Andalusian province a top destination for cycling enthusiasts. Whether you ride mountain bikes in search of technical routes and wild landscapes, or prefer long journeys on road bikes over challenging passes and quiet asphalt, Jaén has it all.

Its vast olive groves, stretching as far as the eye can see, and its cities steeped in history —such as the capital itself or Linares— make every route a cultural journey as well. The rugged and mountainous terrain is perfect for routes with significant elevation change, ideal for those seeking physical challenges and demanding training, especially in MTB.

But Jaén also offers gentler and more accessible routes. For example, around Linares, bike rides pass through olive groves and old mining facilities from the 19th and 20th centuries, still visible today. It is an ideal area for cyclists who enjoy a relaxed pace, whether with a gravel or a gran fondo geometry road bike.

In short, Jaén is a cycling paradise that combines sport, heritage, and nature, where both mountain biking lovers and road cycling fans will find their place.

Route Sierra de Cazorla

The Sierra de Cazorla Natural Park is the largest protected area in Spain (over 214,000 hectares) and is located in the northeast of the province of Jaén. It can be perfectly explored by mountain bike, although the terrain is leg-breaking and quite mountainous. Halfway along the route, we will visit the source of the Guadalquivir River near the Guarhondo ravine, as well as enjoy spectacular views of the entire mountain range by climbing peaks and passes such as Zamora. Most of the route runs along well-maintained tracks, although in summer you must take extra precautions not only because of the heat, but also due to the dry and loose surface of the paths.

Sierra Mágina Route

Circular route through one of the highest mountains in the entire province of Jaén, the Sierra Mágina. It has peaks that exceed 2,000 meters in altitude, although in this route you will climb up to 1,700 meters. It consists of two major climbs to the sierra of 8 km and 5 km linked by forest track and cobbled paths. A route that requires good physical condition and experience climbing on mountain tracks for a long period of time.

Mining Route in Linares

This is an easy route around Linares, where it is possible to recall its great mining past with a tour of the wells and metal extraction areas such as lead that were created in the 19th century and are still well preserved. The first part of the route, about 9 kilometers, is a gentle climb up to the Mejicana mine. At this point, you will have to turn back to Linares downhill, visiting old mines such as Pozo San Ignacio, Pozo San José, or Pozo San Vicente.