CORALLY

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

Last reviewed: November 9, 2026

On existing tracks and ways, yes, but never off-track. The big exception is publicly owned forests: in the Balearics motorcycles are banned there, on their tracks too (Act 13/2005, article 52). In Mallorca and Menorca, approved hiking routes and the Camí de Cavalls are also closed to motor vehicles, and each owner can close its ways.

Allowed

  • On public ways in Mallorca and Menorca that are not a hiking route and have no restriction from their owner (Act 13/2018, arts. 30, 32 and 33).
  • On tracks in private forests, with the owner's permission where the track is private: there is no Balearic rule for them.
  • During the wildfire danger season, on tracks and ways: what is banned is leaving them (Decree 125/2007, art. 7.2.f).

Not allowed

  • In any publicly owned forest, even on a track (Act 13/2005, art. 52).
  • Off-track (Act 43/2003, art. 67.k; Decree 125/2007, art. 7.2.f).
  • On approved hiking routes and ways «unsuitable» for motor vehicles in Mallorca and Menorca, without a permit (Act 13/2018, art. 59.g).
  • On Menorca's Camí de Cavalls (Act 13/2000, art. 8.2).
  • On the forest ways of the Serra de na Burguesa from 1 May to 15 October (Decree 125/2007, art. 7.2.e).
  • On restricted tracks in a protected area or Natura 2000 site, without a permit (Act 5/2005, art. 50.1.d).
  • Sports circuits in the Serra de Tramuntana (Decree 19/2007, art. 60.5).

Public forests: no motorcycles, not even on tracks

The Balearics have no forests act of their own, but they do have a rule found in no other region: «the riding and/or presence of mopeds, motorcycles and quads in forests» owned by any public authority is an offence, except for their management and surveillance (Act 13/2005, art. 52). It covers the tracks that cross them as well.

In private forests there is no Balearic rule: the state Forestry Act applies, which penalises crossing forest land off roads, ways and tracks (Act 43/2003, art. 67.k). You may ride the track, with the owner's permission if the track is private.

Ways in Mallorca and Menorca

Act 13/2018 on public ways in Mallorca and Menorca makes non-motorised passage free (art. 30.1), but it does not ban motorcycles. What it limits is this:

  • Riding a motor vehicle without a permit on an approved hiking route or a way «unsuitable» for motor vehicles is a serious offence (art. 59.g).
  • The way's owner, usually the town council or the island council, can limit or ban vehicles (arts. 32 and 33): check the sign and the local by-law.
  • Menorca's Camí de Cavalls is closed to all motor vehicles (Act 13/2000, art. 8.2).

Protected areas and the Serra de Tramuntana

In protected areas and Natura 2000 sites, riding off-track or on tracks «whose use has been set as restricted» without a permit is an offence (Act 5/2005, art. 50.1.d). Beyond that, each area depends on what its plan says.

In the Serra de Tramuntana, the natural resources plan bans off-track driving (art. 96.4) and sports circuits (art. 60.5), and in limited-use zones activities that «make noise» (art. 62). The Tramuntana still has no approved use and management plan.

Wildfires: 1 May to 15 October

The danger season runs from 1 May to 15 October on every island, and the government can change it each year by resolution (Decree 125/2007, art. 3); in 2024 it started on 15 April in Mallorca and Menorca.

During the season, riding a motor vehicle on forest land «off roads, ways or tracks» is banned (art. 7.2.f): tracks stay open. The exception is the Serra de na Burguesa in Mallorca, whose forest ways are closed to motor vehicles all season (art. 7.2.e).

Drove roads

We found no drove roads act and no classified drove road in the Balearics. If one were classified, the state act would apply: only with an exceptional permit (Act 3/1995, art. 16.1).

What is not clear

There is no public map of the Balearics' publicly owned forests, so you will not always know whether a track is in one. We have not read the na Burguesa map, the Tramuntana zoning map, the natural parks' plans or the local by-laws on ways either.

Until it is clear: tracks and ways that lead somewhere, never off-track, turn back at a public forest sign and, in a park, ask its office.

What if you get fined

Riding into a public forest or off-track is minor under the Forestry Act: €100 to €1,000 (Act 43/2003, art. 74). A hiking route without a permit in Mallorca or Menorca is serious: €1,000.01 to €6,000 (Act 13/2018, art. 64). In a protected area, minor offences run from €300 to €6,000, and the means used can be seized (Act 5/2005, arts. 47.4 and 54).

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 forests are public, which ways each town council has closed, changes to the wildfire season 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 the Balearics

Frequently asked questions

Can you ride dirt tracks in the Balearics?
On existing tracks and ways, yes, except in publicly owned forests, where motorcycles are banned even on tracks (Act 13/2005, art. 52).
What about public ways in Mallorca and Menorca?
Yes, except approved hiking routes, ways unsuitable for motor vehicles and those closed by their owner (Act 13/2018, arts. 32, 33 and 59.g). The Camí de Cavalls, never.
Is there a speed or group limit?
There is no general Balearic rule for tracks. Each way's sign rules.
Are tracks closed in summer?
No, except in the Serra de na Burguesa. From 1 May to 15 October riding off roads, ways and tracks is banned (Decree 125/2007, art. 7.2).
What is the fine?
In a forest, minor €100 to €1,000 (Act 43/2003, art. 74); on a hiking route without a permit, €1,000.01 to €6,000 (Act 13/2018, art. 64).

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.