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Can you ride forest tracks by motorcycle in Andalusia? What the law says

Last reviewed: November 9, 2026

On roads and public ways, yes. On forest tracks in public forests that are not public ways, only for forest management, unless you have an exceptional permit (Andalusia Forests Act 3/2026, article 68.2). And from 1 June to 15 October, in no forest, public or private, on forest tracks off the road network or on drove roads (Order of 21 May 2009, art. 5).

Allowed

  • On roads and public ways, including those that cross a forest (Act 3/2026, art. 68.2).
  • On a forest track in a public forest with an exceptional, reasoned permit from the regional ministry (art. 68.2).
  • At 40 km/h at most on tracks and ways in public forests, unless a sign says otherwise (Decree 208/1997, art. 104.4).
  • A sports event outside a circuit, with express authorisation from the Provincial Office (Decree 208/1997, art. 104.2.g).

Not allowed

  • On forest tracks in public forests that are not public ways, without a permit (Act 3/2026, art. 68.2).
  • Off-track, on firebreaks, logging tracks, riverbeds or, in general, away from the ways intended for vehicles, in a public forest (Decree 208/1997, art. 104.2.a).
  • From 1 June to 15 October, in any forest: off-track, on riverbeds, drove roads, logging tracks or forest tracks off the road network (Order of 21-05-2009, art. 5.1).
  • On drove roads, except with an exceptional permit for a specific use, and never when livestock is passing (Decree 155/1998, art. 55.4).
  • In a protected area, away from the places set aside for vehicles (Act 2/1989, art. 26.1.d).
  • On a track closed with a chain, a barrier or a sign, nor when access is restricted for wildfire risk (Act 3/2026, art. 68.3).

The 2026 act: tracks in public forests are for managing them

Andalusia has a new law: the Andalusia Forests Act 3/2026, in force since 9 April 2026, replaces the 1992 Forestry Act. Its article 68.2 says that motor traffic on forest ways or tracks off the road and public-way network is limited to rights of way, grazing and hunting management, and wildfire surveillance and fighting. Exceptionally and with reasons, the regional ministry can authorise open motor traffic.

For a motorcycle: on a road or a public way across a public forest, yes; on the forest's service track, no, unless it is authorised. The rule covers public forests; in private ones, the act has no general rule for existing tracks and the owner decides.

The 1997 regulation still applies: 40 km/h and nothing off the ways

Until there is a new regulation, the 1997 Forestry Regulation applies where it does not contradict the act (Act 3/2026, sole repealing provision). For public forests it says:

  • No riding off-track, on firebreaks, logging tracks, drove roads, dry or flooded riverbeds or, in general, away from the ways intended for vehicles (art. 104.2.a).
  • 40 km/h at most on tracks and ways in public forests, unless signposted otherwise (art. 104.4).
  • Sports events outside a circuit only with express authorisation from the Provincial Office (art. 104.2.g).

From 1 June to 15 October, no forest tracks

This is the strongest rule and it covers all forest land in Andalusia, public or private: every year from 1 June to 15 October, motor traffic is banned off-track, on riverbeds, drove roads, logging tracks and forest tracks off the road network (Order of 21 May 2009, art. 5.1). It does not expire: it is a standing order.

There are exceptions (art. 5.2): rights of way, access to farm, forestry, industrial, business or tourist premises, to infrastructure, forest management and authorised ecotourism services, surveillance and emergencies, and authorised pilgrimages. Reaching your rural lodging by its access track counts; a route along tracks does not.

In May and the second half of October (medium-danger season in the INFOCA plan), leaving the ways intended for vehicles is still banned in private forests (Decree 247/2001, art. 11.2).

Drove roads

Cañadas, cordeles, veredas and coladas are not tracks. Andalusia's Drove Roads Regulation only allows non-agricultural motor vehicles on them exceptionally and for a specific use, never when livestock is passing nor on those of special importance for grazing, public use or as ecological corridors (Decree 155/1998, art. 55.4). Motorcycles are not among the complementary uses either (art. 58.1). For a ride, no; and from 1 June to 15 October, not even with a permit, save the exceptions in the wildfire order.

Natural parks: park by park

Andalusia's protected areas Act 2/1989 has no traffic rule of its own: it penalises riding motor vehicles away from the places set aside for them (art. 26.1.d), and what is set aside is decided by each park's plan (PORN and PRUG).

You will read online that in Andalusian natural parks motorcycles may only use tarmac. That rule was in Decree 15/2011, which the courts annulled (Supreme Court ruling of 3 July 2015), so it is not a common rule. But many park plans repeat it, and there it applies: in Sierra Nevada and in Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas, motorcycles may only use paved roads or ways. Before you enter a park, check its plan.

What is not clear

The 2026 act tells the regional ministry to regulate vehicle access, use and parking in forests (art. 68.4); that regulation has not been published yet. There is no public list of which tracks are public ways and which are forest service tracks, and we could not check whether the Drove Roads Regulation was amended in 2014 as regards vehicles.

Until it is clear: ways that are clearly public, only the road network in summer, the sign rules and, if in doubt, ask the regional office or the environmental rangers.

What if you get fined

Riding a motor vehicle off roads, ways and tracks without permission, or where there is an express ban, is an offence under the Andalusia Forests Act (art. 131.j): with no damage, minor, from €100 to €1,000 (arts. 132 and 137), and the vehicle can be seized as a precaution (art. 133). Breaking the wildfire-season ban is an offence under Act 5/1999, minor if it causes no fire. In a protected area, riding away from the permitted places is minor, from €60.10 to €601.01, and serious if it is an organised commercial or sports activity (Act 2/1989, arts. 26 and 27).

What each area is

Four designations you will meet out in the country, each with its own page: what it is, what the acronyms mean and what it means for your bike.

How Corally applies it

  • Singletrack (in Corally, «paths») is outside the default way filter: the planner does not use it and the analyser flags the sections of a GPX that run on it.
  • If OpenStreetMap says a way is closed to motorcycles or motor vehicles, the planner avoids it and the analyser flags it as «No motorcycles».
  • The «Zones with rules» layer flags the protected areas, public-utility forests and drove roads it knows on your route: it does not block it, it warns you so you can decide or ask for a permit.
  • What Corally does not know: which track is a public way and which a forest service track, new closures, chains and signs, and each park's plan. The data is public and collaborative and may differ from the ground: the signs rule.

Plan a dirt-track route in Andalusia

Frequently asked questions

Can you ride forest tracks in Andalusia?
On roads and public ways, yes. On forest tracks in public forests that are not public ways, only for management, unless the regional ministry gives an exceptional permit (Act 3/2026, art. 68.2).
And in summer?
From 1 June to 15 October, riding forest tracks off the road network and drove roads is banned on all forest land, public or private, save exceptions such as reaching a lodging or a farm (Order of 21 May 2009, art. 5).
How fast can you ride a track in a public forest?
40 km/h at most, unless a sign says otherwise (Decree 208/1997, art. 104.4). Some parks set their own limit in their plan.
Is it true that natural parks are tarmac-only?
Not as a common rule: Decree 15/2011, which said so, was annulled. But many park plans repeat it, such as Sierra Nevada's and Cazorla's, and there it applies. Check each park's plan.
Can I ride a cañada?
Only with an exceptional permit for a specific use, never when livestock is passing (Decree 155/1998, art. 55.4). For a ride, no.
What is the fine?
Under the Andalusia Forests Act, €100 to €1,000 with no damage (arts. 131.j and 137). In a protected area, €60.10 to €601.01 for a minor offence (Act 2/1989, art. 27).

Sources (with the article)

A practical guide written by Corally from the rules cited at the end. It is not legal advice: rules change, every protected area has its own plan, and signs on the ground always prevail.