Routes to go out on a mountain bike in the province of Albacete

Although much of its terrain is flat, the province of Albacete hides natural wonders that are worth exploring on a mountain bike. Not everything is the La Mancha plain, for example to the north is the Cabriel riverbed, with its gorges and canyons, which you can visit on a beautiful route from Alcalá del Jucar. You can also skirt the more than 20 lagoons that make up the Lagunas de Ruidera natural park, popularly called Playa de La Mancha. Finally, to the south we find the Sierra de Alcaraz, from where the Mundo River, a tributary of the Segura, originates from a huge canyon 300 m high in the shape of a waterfall and surrounded by lush Mediterranean forests.

Júcar Canyons Route

Tour 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 in the twisted course of the river that bears the same name, of great scenic beauty. The route begins in the picturesque town of Albacete and runs most of it parallel to the river, inside the canyon. You will have to ride carefully in some sections because the left side is quite exposed towards the river, although with caution there is hardly any risk of falling. In addition to the tour through the river canyon, we climb to the top of the cliffs twice, entering the most typical landscapes of the La Mancha plain, specifically those of the Manchuela region.

Difficulty: Moderate
Mode: XC / Trail
Distance: 58.4 kilometers
Elevation difference: 1,126 meters
Route type: Circular
Start/end: Alcalá del Júcar
See the route track on Wikiloc

Ruidera Lagoons Route

The Ruidera Lagoons form the headwaters of the Guadiana River, in addition to being part of a natural park of high ecological and recreational value. Its fine sand shores are filled with bathers every summer, popularly calling this enclave the beaches of Albacete or the beach of La Mancha. Around them you can do different mountain bike routes. This one that we present to you is long, although it does not entail great difficulty. It starts from Ossa de Montiel and the first part of the route is flat, although dotted with steep slopes. Shortly after, a long and fun descent towards the lagoons begins. On this route you skirt some of the largest and most important ones: La del Rey, La Colgada or La Batana, before returning again to the town of La Mancha in a slight climb.

Difficulty: Moderate
Mode: XC
Distance: 51.8 kilometers
Elevation difference: 382 meters
Route type: Circular
Start/end: Ossa de Montiel
See the route track on Wikiloc

Route of the Birth of the Mundo River

In the Sierra de Alcaraz, in the south of the province, almost on the border with Jaén, is the site of the Birth of the Mundo River, visited every year by thousands of people. El Mundo is a tributary of the Segura River that emerges to the surface in the form of a gigantic waterfall from a cliff or cliff 300 meters high. It is the main attraction of this demanding route of almost 60 kilometers and 1,600 meters of positive gradient, starting and ending in the town of Riópar. The route combines asphalt, tracks, trails and trials, with a high technical component in the area of the river's source. The most recommended time of year to do this route is spring, which is when the waterfall and the rest of the waterfalls in the area have the greatest amount of water.