CORALLY

Can you ride forest tracks by motorcycle in Castile and León? What the law says

Last reviewed: November 9, 2026

Yes: on a road-registered bike you can ride the forest tracks and ways of Castile and León's forests, but never off them (Forests Act 3/2009, article 60.4; Natural Heritage Act 4/2015, art. 8.1): no singletrack, no off-track riding and no way closed with a sign. An organised activity of more than 10 vehicles needs a permit, and under an extreme wildfire alarm you may not enter the forest.

Allowed

  • On forest tracks and ways in forests, public or private (Act 3/2009, art. 60.4).
  • On roads and ways in regional, public-utility and protective forests (Decree 4/1995, art. 2).
  • An organised activity or event of more than 10 vehicles, with a permit from the provincial office (Decree 4/1995, arts. 6 and 7).

Not allowed

  • Off forest tracks and existing ways, in any forest or natural land (Act 3/2009, art. 60.4; Act 4/2015, art. 8.1).
  • On singletrack or off-track (Decree 4/1995, art. 2).
  • On a way closed with a vertical sign (Decree 4/1995, art. 3).
  • Rallies, motor events and races on forest tracks, at any time of year, except authorised traditional events (Order FYM/510/2013, art. 6.d).
  • Entering the forest when an extreme wildfire alarm is declared (Order FYM/510/2013, art. 11.c).
  • On drove roads, except with an exceptional permit (Act 3/1995, art. 16.1).

Tracks yes, off them no

Castile and León's Forests Act 3/2009 covers every forest, public or private, and it is clear: motor traffic «may not take place off forest tracks and the areas marked for parking», except for emergencies, management, surveillance, wildfires or an express permit (art. 60.4).

The Natural Heritage Act 4/2015 extends this to all natural land: motor traffic off the existing ways is banned (art. 8.1). And in regional, public-utility and protective forests, Decree 4/1995 spells it out: only on roads or ways, never on singletrack or off-track (art. 2), and the regional government can close a way with a vertical sign (art. 3).

None of these rules sets a top speed or a minimum track width: each way's sign applies.

Groups and organised activities

An organised activity or event with more than 10 vehicles in those forests needs a permit: you apply to the provincial environment office, which decides within a month; no answer means no (Decree 4/1995, arts. 6 and 7). A ride among friends with a few bikes is not an organised activity.

Rallies, motor events and races on forest tracks are banned all year, except authorised traditional events (Order FYM/510/2013, art. 6.d).

Wildfires: high season and extreme alarm

The regional government sets the high-danger season every year; in 2026, from 12 June to 12 October. The season alone does not ban riding. What does is the extreme alarm: under it, people and vehicles may not travel or stay in forests, save exceptions (Order FYM/510/2013, art. 11.c, as worded by Decree-law 2/2023). Before a summer ride, check the alert level on the regional government's website and the signs at the forest entrance.

Protected areas and drove roads

In parks and reserves their plan (PORN and PRUG) applies and can restrict further (Act 4/2015, art. 8.4). For example, no vehicles enter the reserve zones of the Sierra de Gredos, and in the Guadarrama National Park motorcycles stay on roads.

Castile and León has no drove roads act of its own; the state one applies: only with an exceptional permit for a specific use, never with livestock on the way (Act 3/1995, art. 16.1).

What is not clear

We have not found the order that Act 4/2015 announces for organised activities with vehicles (art. 8.5), nor the official text of the 2026 danger-season order (the dates match that year's alert resolutions). We have not read the plans of most protected areas either.

Until it is clear: open tracks and ways, small groups, the sign rules and, if in doubt, ask the provincial environment office or the environmental rangers.

What if you get fined

Leaving the track in a forest is a minor offence under the Forests Act, €100 to €1,000 (Act 3/2009, arts. 113.m, 114 and 116; Act 43/2003, art. 74). Riding off the ways on natural land is serious under the Natural Heritage Act, €5,001 to €200,000 (Act 4/2015, arts. 124.c and 126). Breaking a protected area's rules of use without serious damage is minor, €500 to €5,000. Which one applies is decided case by case.

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: ways closed with a sign, the day's wildfire alert level, new chains and signs, and each area's plan. The data is public and collaborative and may differ from the ground: the signs rule.

Plan a dirt-track route in Castile and León

Frequently asked questions

Can you ride forest tracks in Castile and León?
Yes, on forest tracks and ways, in public or private forests. Off them, no (Act 3/2009, art. 60.4; Act 4/2015, art. 8.1).
How many bikes can ride together?
There is no limit for a ride among friends. An organised activity or event of more than 10 vehicles in public forests needs a permit (Decree 4/1995, art. 6).
Is there a speed limit on tracks?
We have not found a general one in Castile and León's forest rules: follow the track's sign and ride at a sensible speed.
Is the forest closed in summer?
The high-danger season (in 2026, 12 June to 12 October) does not close it by itself. Under an extreme wildfire alarm, yes: vehicles may not travel in forests (Order FYM/510/2013, art. 11.c).
What about a cañada?
Only with an exceptional permit for a specific use, never with livestock on the way (Act 3/1995, art. 16.1). For a ride, no.
What is the fine?
Leaving the track in a forest, minor, €100 to €1,000 (Act 3/2009). Riding off the ways on natural land can be serious, from €5,001 (Act 4/2015, art. 126).

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.