Three Provinces and La Aceña Reservoir Loop

This route is considered difficult and demands a very good physical condition and cycling experience. It features extensive singletrack and technical sections, including some with rocks, where you might even need to push your bike. The technical difficulty is rated approximately at STS S3-S6, indicating advanced riding skills are needed.

You can expect beautiful and varied scenery, including dense pine forests and oak trees. The route offers picturesque views of the La Aceña Reservoir and the La Jarosa Reservoir. As part of the Sierra de Guadarrama, you'll also enjoy impressive mountain vistas.

Key points of interest include the Refugio de la Salamanca, the Monument of the Three Provinces (Madrid, Segovia, and Ávila), and the scenic La Aceña Reservoir. You'll also pass by the Abantos Viewpoint and ride sections of the historic Camino del Ingeniero, known for its stunning singletrack.

The route is circular and starts from La Jarosa. You can typically find parking near the La Jarosa Reservoir, which serves as a convenient access point for this mountain biking adventure.

This challenging route, covering over 65 km with nearly 2000 meters of elevation gain, typically takes around 8 to 9 hours to complete by mountain bike, depending on your pace and stops.

The best time to mountain bike this route is generally during spring and autumn when temperatures are milder. Summer can be very hot, and winter may bring snow and ice, especially at higher elevations, making some sections impassable or more hazardous.

While dogs are generally allowed in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, they must be kept on a leash at all times to protect wildlife and ensure the safety of other trail users. Always check local regulations before you go.

As this trail is located within the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, there are generally no entrance fees for accessing the park itself. However, specific regulations apply to activities like mountain biking, especially concerning protected areas. Always check the official park website for the latest rules and any potential permit requirements for certain zones or activities.

Within Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, mountain biking is generally restricted to marked trails and forest tracks. Riding off-trail or on sensitive ecological paths is prohibited. Always respect signage, maintain a safe speed, and yield to hikers. It's crucial to stay informed about specific park rules, which can be found on the official park website.

Yes, the route incorporates sections of several other paths. Notably, it covers a significant portion of the Camino del Ingeniero (approximately 19% of the route) and also passes through parts of Pinares de Guadarrama, Sendero Segoviano, and Ruta Verde Guadarrama - El Escorial.

Given the route's length and difficulty, you should bring plenty of water, energy snacks, a repair kit for your bike (including spare tubes), a first-aid kit, and appropriate clothing layers. A GPS device or a fully charged phone with the Komoot app is highly recommended for navigation, as some sections can be remote.