CORALLY

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

Last reviewed: October 8, 2026

Yes, with conditions: on forest tracks with at least 2 metres of surface that are open, on a road-registered motorcycle that is not an enduro or trials bike, without motocross tyres and at no more than 30 km/h. Never on singletrack, off the track or on drove roads. It is set by the regulation of the Valencian forestry law (Decree 91/2023, articles 112 and 113).

Allowed

  • On forest tracks (2 metres of surface or more) open to traffic in public forests: it is a common use and no permit is needed.
  • On a road-registered street, adventure or big adventure bike with road-approved tyres (dual-sport tyres are fine).
  • At 30 km/h at most, and slower when the track or the weather calls for it.
  • In a small group: a ride of fewer than 25 vehicles needs no authorisation.

Not allowed

  • On singletrack (under 2 metres): on no motorcycle, not even a trials bike.
  • On enduro or trials motorcycles, quads, ATVs or any bike with motocross tyres on the drive wheel.
  • Off the track: cross-country, firebreaks, riverbeds or shortcuts.
  • On tracks closed with a chain, a barrier or a sign, even in a public forest; nor on tracks in private forests without the owner's permission.
  • On drove roads (cañadas, cordeles, veredas, coladas): national law closes them to motor vehicles.
  • When access to the forest is restricted because of wildfire risk.

What counts as a forest track and what counts as singletrack

Article 112 of the regulation settles almost everything with one number. A forest track is a route with 2 metres or more of surface running wholly or partly through forest land (roads do not count). Singletrack (senda forestal) is a route under 2 metres whose main purpose is recreational.

A forest track can be ridden under conditions; singletrack cannot, on any motor vehicle. A pedal-assist e-bike is not a motor vehicle for this purpose (113.4), but a motorcycle always is.

Where you can ride

Article 113 starts from a general rule: riding motor vehicles on forest tracks open to traffic in public forests is a general common use (113.1). In other words, you do not need to ask for a permit. From there, the limits:

  • The owner of a public track used for a public service can restrict or limit traffic (113.2). A chain, a barrier or a sign closes the track even if it is public: you do not go through.
  • In private forests the track belongs to the owner: without their permission, no.
  • Riding off tracks and singletrack is not allowed (113.7); the only exceptions are surveillance, authorised works and emergencies.
  • In protected natural areas (natural parks, reserves) the area's own management plan applies on top, and it can close tracks or limit more. Check the park's rules before entering.

Which bikes

Section 113.3 is the one that surprises people. Banned on forest tracks are three-wheeled motor vehicles, quadricycles, quads, three-wheeled mopeds, light quadricycles and ATVs, the use of motocross tyres on the drive wheel and, in the regulation's own words, "trials and enduro motorcycles". The only exceptions are agricultural or forestry machinery registered in the ROMA register and vehicles of people with recognised reduced mobility.

The regulation does not define an enduro motorcycle: it means the off-road bike, registered or not. A street adventure bike or big adventure bike with road-approved tyres (dual-sport included) is not on the list. That is why in Corally the "Enduro" level is a terrain difficulty level, not a type of bike, and the planner warns you if a route with that profile goes through the Valencian Community.

How fast and how

Speed on any forest track or singletrack is limited as a general rule to 30 km/h (113.6); only authorised sports events and emergency vehicles are exempt. At that pace you also raise less dust, break less track and pass walkers, horses and cyclists more safely.

  • Give way and slow down for walkers, cyclists, horses and work vehicles: it is not just courtesy, it is what keeps a track from being closed.
  • Do not park or leave the track to let someone pass: stop on the surface.
  • If there is forestry work, livestock or a new sign, turn around. The route always has another option.

Singletrack, drove roads and protected areas

Singletrack (under 2 metres) is closed to every motor vehicle (113.4), trials bikes included. In a GPX someone sends you, it is the kind of section you most often have to remove.

Drove roads (cañadas, cordeles, veredas and coladas) are not forest tracks: the national Drove Roads Act 3/1995 bans motor vehicles on them (article 16), except agricultural or forestry machinery of the farms they give access to. A wide dirt drove road is still not a track.

Protected natural areas have their own natural resources or management plan, and that is where it is decided which tracks can be ridden. They usually close more than the general regulation opens.

Groups, organised rides and events

Sports events, organised events and activities on forest land with more than 25 motor vehicles need authorisation from the Generalitat (articles 104 and 105 of the regulation). A club ride of fewer than 25 bikes, with no timing and no commercial organisation, does not, but it is still riding on tracks: same tracks, same speed, same bikes.

If you organise something bigger, the procedure is "Authorisation of activities on forest land with more than 25 motor vehicles" at the Generalitat's electronic office (link at the end).

Wildfires: when the forest is closed

The national Forests Act (43/2003, article 54 bis) allows access to high wildfire-risk areas to be restricted when the danger calls for it, making it public in a visible way. In the Valencian Community the Generalitat declares wildfire pre-emergency levels, mostly in summer, and with them come restrictions on activities and access.

In the risk season, check the day's notice (Generalitat emergencies, 112) and the signs at the forest access before you set off. A wildfire closure never shows up on a map.

If you get fined

The national Forests Act (43/2003, article 74) sets fines of 100 to 1,000 euros for minor offences and 1,001 to 100,000 euros for serious ones; the Valencian forestry law (Act 3/1993) has its own penalty regime. You can also be required to repair the damage and, in some cases, the vehicle can be impounded. Riding singletrack, cross-country or along a closed track are the most common reasons environmental agents report riders.

How Corally applies it

  • Singletrack is outside the way-type filter by default: the planner does not use it and the analyzer flags the sections of a GPX that go along it.
  • If OpenStreetMap says a way is closed to motorcycles or motor vehicles, the planner avoids it and the analyzer flags it as "Closed to motorcycles".
  • When you pick the Enduro profile, the form reminds you it is a difficulty level, and if the planned route goes through the Valencian Community the plan carries the article 113.3 warning.
  • What Corally does not know: new chains and signs, wildfire closures, unmapped private tracks and each park's plan. The data is public and collaborative (OpenStreetMap) and may differ from the ground: signs prevail.

Plan a dirt-track route in the Valencian Community

Frequently asked questions

Can I ride a forest track on a road-registered enduro bike?
No. Article 113.3 of the regulation bans trials and enduro motorcycles on forest tracks in the Valencian Community, registered or not. The number plate is for the road; in the forest the type of bike is what counts.
What about knobbly or dual-sport tyres?
What is banned is a motocross tyre on the drive wheel. A dual-sport or adventure tyre approved for road use is not on the list.
Can I ride singletrack on a trials bike, since it is light?
No. No motor vehicle may use singletrack (under 2 metres) (113.4), and trials bikes are also excluded from tracks (113.3).
How fast can I ride on a forest track?
30 km/h at most, on any forest track or singletrack (113.6). Only authorised sports events and emergency vehicles are exempt.
The track is public but has a chain. Can I go round it?
No. The owner can restrict traffic (113.2) and going round the chain means riding off the track (113.7). If there is a chain, a barrier or a sign, the track is closed to you.
Can I ride a drove road if it is wide and unpaved?
Not on a motor vehicle: the Drove Roads Act 3/1995 bans it (article 16), except agricultural or forestry machinery of the farms it gives access to. Drove roads are not forest tracks.
We are a club riding out with 30 bikes. Do we need a permit?
Yes: activities on forest land with more than 25 motor vehicles need authorisation from the Generalitat (article 105). With fewer than 25, no, but the rules on tracks, speed and bikes are the same.
What happens in summer with wildfire alerts?
The authorities can restrict access to the forest in high-risk areas (Act 43/2003, article 54 bis) and the Generalitat declares pre-emergency levels. Check the day's notice before you set off and respect signed closures.

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.