Forget the busy coastlines; the pure, authentic Spain can be found inland. Spain is, in terms of its landscape, one of the most diverse countries in Europe. At one moment you find yourself in flat, steeping countryside, and at the next ten kilometers away in green hills. And it’s not just the landscape that is diverse; the rich history and clearly visible Christian, Islamic and Jewish influences have shaped cities and villages where you can wander for a long time. Most of the culture, varied landscapes and best gravel paths can be found in Castille-La Mancha; gravel paradise from Spain.
Castile-La Mancha, the authentic interior of Spain
It’s likely that the region of Castile-La Mancha doesn’t mean much to you yet. However, you probably know the medieval city of Toledo and the world-famous white windmills from the novel Don Quixote. Both are located in this region. A region that is indeed twice the size of the entire Netherlands, but only has as many inhabitants as the province of Gelderland.
Castile-La Mancha covers the southeastern part of Spain’s interior. The region lies directly south-east of Madrid and extends all the way to the Valencia and Andalusia regions. The landscape is flat to rolling in most places, making it hard to believe that you are in a huge plateau, between 600 and 1000 meters above sea level.
Step into the story of Don Quixote in Ciudad Real
Get on the gravel bike in Castile-La Mancha and literally step into the footsteps of the dashing knight Don Quixote. The author of the world-famous novel, Cervantes, based the story on existing locations in the region that you can still visit today. For example, the legendary confrontation with the ‘giants’ took place in Campo de Criptana. The white windmills still stand on the hill there, three of them dating back to the 16th century. One hundred kilometers away, in the city of Ciudad Real, you see several statues and a museum about the iconic duo Don Quixote and his squire Sancho Panza.
The scenery in this area is fantastic; the network of unpaved roads is gigantic. The Spaniards call this Pitches (wide gravel roads for agricultural vehicles) and livestock roads (historical shepherds’ paths). The landscape in the provinces of Ciudad Real and Albacete – the setting for the novel – is relatively flat, with straight, dusty paths. Here you cycle right through the olive groves and vineyards and pass by the most beautiful castles, such as Castillo de Calatrava la Nueva.
Explore the rugged gravel roads of Cuenca and Guadalajara
We’ve already described it; Castilla-La Mancha is extremely diverse. In the southern provinces, the landscape is flatter and drier, but in the north you’ll find truly green nature. Plan a gravel ride in the Serranía de Cuenca for beautiful, tight gravel tracks. The closer you get to the Toba Reservoir, the greener the surroundings become. In the Júcar Valley, it’s a real treat for cyclists; both cyclists and gravel enthusiasts can enjoy beautiful rides along the gorge.
For real rugged nature, visit Alto Tajo National Park, located in the Guadalajara province. The Tagus River (Tajo) here is still narrow and crystal clear, carving its way through the ravines. As a result, the surroundings are green, but rugged and full of rock formations and canyons. There are hardly any paved roads through the area, so a gravel bike or mountain bike is a must to explore the area. The long, wide gravel road along the Tagus is beautiful and absolutely must-see during your visit to this region.
Castile-La Mancha; region of castles and old towns
Many cyclists choose to focus on routes in nature. In Castilla-La Mancha, you shouldn’t miss the chance to visit the cities. Stop in one of the historic towns that are rich in the region, and have a cold cola drink with a view of a beautiful castle or cathedral.
Toledo – In Toledo, also known as the ‘City of the Three Cultures’, Christian, Islamic and Jewish influences have peacefully coexisted for centuries. This unique past can still be seen everywhere today: in the narrow streets, history truly breathes in every corner, with impressive mosques, synagogues and cathedrals standing side by side in a brotherly way.
Sigüenza – In Sigüenza (Guadalajara province) you can also take a step back in time. From afar you can see the Moorish castle perched on the hill. This vibrant bishop’s town is full of history and is well worth a visit.
Cuenca – Cuenca also has a medieval center and a beautiful authentic Spanish square. From the San Pablo bridge you have a wonderful view of the world-famous Casas Colgadas, The hanging houses.
The best time to cycle in Castile-La Mancha
The best times to cycle in Castile-La Mancha are spring and autumn. Due to the extreme climate on the plateau, the summers are extremely hot and the winters are extremely cold. In April and May, nature is in full bloom and the fields are green. It is then a wonderful time for cycling, with an average of 18 to 25 degrees Celsius. In autumn, the landscape of Castile-La Mancha is completely different; the forests in Cuenca and Guadalajara are beautifully orange. This is also the time when saffron is harvested, which is what the region is known for. This creates beautiful purple fields.
Accessibility
Madrid is the ideal central gateway to Castile-La Mancha. From here, you can easily travel by train to cities such as Toledo, Ciudad Real, Cuenca or Guadalajara. The province of Albacete is also easily accessible from Alicante airport, and for a visit to the province of Cuenca you can fly to Valencia.
The ultimate gravel route in Castile-La Mancha
Castile-La Mancha has beautiful routes for every cyclist. Whether you use the gravel bike to discover cultural sites in a sporty way, or to really get off the beaten track and take in many high-altitude views. Wherever you are in this region, the network of unpaved roads is vast, which means you can create endless routes.
Under the name ‘Castilla-La Mancha and bici’, the official tourism agency has mapped out a gigantic network of over 2,000 kilometers of cycling routes. Don’t worry, you don’t have to complete this enormous distance in one go. The network is made up of several partial routes and regions, which makes it very easy to choose a separate few-day stage. Thanks to the excellent train network in Spain, you can travel to and from your starting or finishing point with your bike effortlessly.
Curious about the routes and ready to plan your own gravel adventure? Check all cycling routes on the official website of the tourism agency of Castile-La Mancha.
This article was written in collaboration with the Spanish Traffic Agency – Turespana and Turismo Castilla-La Mancha
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