Routes for mountain biking in the province of León

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

León is a privileged territory for those who enjoy cycle tourism, whether on mountain bikes or on road bikes. Its variety of landscapes allows you to go in just a few kilometers from quiet routes through plains or low mountains to demanding crossings over the high mountain passes of the Cantabrian Mountains. This diversity makes León one of the most complete provinces to explore by bike.

If MTB is your thing, you will find a multitude of routes in the heart of nature, with trails through forests, rural roads, forest tracks, and technical sections for all levels. In addition, many of these routes pass through charming small towns, where traditions, popular architecture, and a relaxed pace of life are still preserved—ideal for the cycle tourist who wants to pedal without haste.

Due to its strategic location, León is also a crossing point for two of the most important long-distance cycle routes in Spain: the Vía de la Plata and the Camino de Santiago on its French Way variant. Some of the routes we show you below connect with these historical itineraries, which adds cultural and symbolic value to the cycling experience.

And if you have time, you can't miss exploring the Bierzo region, one of the best-kept secrets for cycling in the north of the peninsula. Among mountains, valleys, and old mining villages, this area offers unforgettable landscapes and perfect paths to get lost with your bike, whether it's a gravel, a mountain bike, or even a well-prepared road bike for long distances.

León - Las Lomas

Las Lomas is a small village located 8 kilometers from León, surrounded by hills with numerous paths and trails through fir forests. From these hills, you can enjoy spectacular views of the city of León and its slender Gothic cathedral. A route that starts from the provincial capital and explores its surroundings. It is recommended to do it in autumn or spring. As for difficulties, the highlight is the 2.8-kilometer climb to Las Lomas, after which a rolling terrain begins through Alto de la Hoya and the Vallín de León.

Trepaviñas Route in El Bierzo

Cacabelos is a beautiful village located between Ponferrada and Villafranca del Bierzo, right in the Bierzo region. Nature and mountain biking go hand in hand on this route through the old Leonese mining basin, which coincides with the local cycling event, the Trepaviñas. A route with continuous climbs and technical descents, river and stream crossings, chestnut forests and vineyards. A route that has it all and will allow us to discover one of the historic regions of León.

Ancares Route

In the north of the province of León, almost on the border with Lugo, lies the Ancares Valley. A paradise for cycle tourism in León, presided over by the famous Ancares mountain pass, one of the musts for road cyclists due to its toughness and beautiful landscapes. This high mountain mountain bike route covers part of these beautiful landscapes, with splendid views of the valley and its green, wooded mountains, as well as its typical mountain villages with stone houses and slate roofs. Most of the route is on well-maintained forest tracks. An XC Marathon route with lots of elevation gain and tough due to the long and constant climbs faced over its nearly 50 kilometers.