Traveling Spain Off-Road

Published on 15.05.2025, Last updated on 15.05.2025
Offroad Spanien Sierra de Salás
Photo © Peter Schmitz

Spain is an off-road paradise for anyone who loves sun, gravel, and wide horizons. Away from the tourist hotspots, the country offers enormous scenic diversity – from dusty plateaus to rugged Pyrenean passes to the arid badlands of Andalusia. Whether you're riding an enduro, off-road camper, or off-road vehicle – Spain offers driving highlights galore.

What makes the country particularly exciting for off-road enthusiasts: The legal situation varies by region, but many legal trails are well documented – some even officially signposted. Especially in less densely populated areas such as Aragon, Castile-La Mancha, and Andalusia, there are countless field, forest, and gravel roads that can be used legally and with consideration. Many old connecting roads, cattle trails, and mountain passes are now used almost exclusively by off-road drivers.

Spain | All Off-Road Routes

Here you'll find all legal off-road routes in Spain – clearly listed, with practical filters and a map view.

Our Off-Road Favorites in Spain

The Trans-Pyrenees Route (Catalunya to the Basque Country)

One of the absolute crowning achievements in Spain: Over several days, the Trans-Pyrenees Route leads along legally accessible trails from the Mediterranean coast to the Atlantic – or vice versa. Sometimes rough, sometimes flowing, but always with magnificent views of the mountains. The route alternates between dirt roads, singletrack, asphalt sections, and old military roads. The sections around Andorra and Navarre are particularly beautiful.

 

Monegros Desert (Aragon)

Lunar landscapes, gravel roads, and dried-up riverbeds – the Monegros Desert is Spain's miniature version of Nevada. Here, off-road riders will find a wide network of legally accessible trails. Thanks to the dry climate, the area is accessible almost year-round. Caution: When it rains, the clay tracks quickly turn into slippery slides.

 

Sierra de Cazorla (Andalusia)

A true off-road gem in the south of the country. In the Sierra de Cazorla, Spain's largest nature reserve, long forest roads wind through dense pine forests, past crystal-clear mountain rivers and rugged cliffs. The routes are not too technically demanding, but offer a wealth of scenic variety – and ideal conditions for multi-day tours with bivouacs or overnight stays in fincas.

 

Highlands of Teruel (Castile-Aragon)

Teruel is a real insider tip: sparsely populated, its landscape rugged and wild. Those interested in remote routes without heavy traffic will find what they're looking for here. Old shepherds' paths, dry riverbeds, and rocky forest paths crisscross the plateau. Perfect for adventurers who appreciate solitude.

Offroad Spanien Colleto de la Portella
Am Colleto de la Portella
Photo © Peter Schmitz

Culinary Highlights of Off-Road Driving in Spain

Those traveling by off-road vehicle or enduro through Spain's vast plains, wild mountains, and dusty tracks not only experience an adventure in terms of driving – they are also well catered for in terms of cuisine. Spanish cuisine is characterized by regionality, bold flavors, and simple yet honest ingredients. It's just the thing after a long day in the saddle or behind the steering wheel.

In northern Spain, for example in the Pyrenees or the Basque Country, hearty dishes such as Fabada Asturiana (a hearty bean stew with chorizo ​​and bacon) or Txuleton, the famous thick-cut beef cutlet, are on the menu. Pintxos, small savory snacks on bread, are also excellent for a snack between meals – in bars or even taken home from the supermarket.

In the central highlands and in Aragón, where off-road tracks lead through dusty plateaus and deserted villages, cordero asado is often served – oven-roasted lamb with garlic and rosemary, often accompanied by potatoes or roasted vegetables. Also popular are migas, fried breadcrumbs with chorizo, garlic, and paprika – a shepherd's dish that today ends up on the plate as a rejuvenating meal.

In Andalusia and Extremadura, off-road adventures meet Arabic-influenced cuisine. Here, off-roaders fortify themselves with salmorejo, a thicker version of the cold tomato soup gazpacho, or with tortilla española, the famous potato and egg tart, which is perfect as a snack, either hot or cold.

If you're a little peckish on the go, empanadas – pastries with meat, tuna, or vegetables – are perfect to take with you. And in the afternoon? Of course, a sweet ending is a must: a slice of tarta de Santiago (almond cake from Galicia) or churros with hot chocolate are perfect soul food after a dusty stage.

To round off a successful day of off-roading, a glass of Tempranillo, Rioja, or a cold cerveza is a must – ideally in the evening sun, somewhere out in the vastness of Spain.

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