Camino del Cid MTB – Gallocanta Ring from Daroca

A 48.5 km mountain-bike loop on the Camino del Cid, starting and finishing in the walled medieval town of Daroca (Zaragoza). It is the official MTB version of the Gallocanta Ring: about 750 m of climbing and around 5 h 30 min of riding, with medium physical and low technical difficulty. It is waymarked with GR-160, PR and Camino del Cid MTB markers.

From Daroca the route follows the GR-160 through Valdehorna and Val de San Martín. Between Val de San Martín and Santed comes the only real MTB section, about 4 km of stony paths through kermes oak scrub where you may have to walk a few short stretches. It then passes Santed, with its castle above the village, Berrueco and Castejón de Tornos before reaching Gallocanta, and returns to Daroca on the outbound path. Expect a mix of quiet paved roads, farm tracks and footpaths.

The highlight is the Gallocanta Lagoon, the largest natural lagoon in Spain and one of Europe’s most important bird reserves, with up to 220 species. Thousands of common cranes stop here in autumn and late winter. Daroca’s medieval walls and gates are worth a look at the start or finish.

After rain the tracks get very muddy and a small irrigation ditch can be hard to cross, so check the weather first. Some sections are faint: follow the markers closely. There is a bike repair service in Daroca, and Camino del Cid passport stamps are available in Daroca, Gallocanta and Berrueco.

Route information and photography: caminodelcid.org.