CORALLY

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

Last reviewed: November 9, 2026

Yes, but each province has its own foral forests rule. In Bizkaia you may ride any forest track at 30 km/h at most (Foral Rule 2/2026, article 81); in Álava's public forests, only the main tracks, at 30 km/h, by day and on dry ground (Foral Decree 10/2010), and in Gipuzkoa's, the authorised ways and logging tracks (Foral Rule 7/2006, article 62). Off-track, on singletrack or cross-country, in none of them.

Allowed

  • Bizkaia: on forest tracks, at 30 km/h at most (FR 2/2026, art. 81.1.f).
  • Álava, in public forests: on the main forest roads not signposted as restricted, at 30 km/h and with a type-approved silencer (FR 11/2007, art. 22.4; FD 10/2010, arts. 3 and 7).
  • Gipuzkoa, in public forests: on the authorised ways, logging tracks and car parks (FR 7/2006, art. 62.d).
  • In protected areas, on the roads provided for it (Act 9/2021, art. 40.1).

Not allowed

  • Cross-country or off-track, in all three provinces (Bizkaia FR 2/2026, art. 81.1.f and 81.1.g; Álava FD 10/2010, art. 3; Act 43/2003, art. 67.k).
  • Álava: on secondary forest roads (unsurfaced and under 3 m), singletrack and greenways (FD 10/2010, art. 3.2); on dirt tracks when the ground is wet (art. 3.2.c), and at night without a permit (art. 8.c).
  • Álava: in a group of more than two vehicles without a permit, or more than four carrying five people at most (FD 10/2010, art. 8.a). Gipuzkoa: in a convoy of more than four (FR 7/2006, art. 62.d).
  • An organised motor event or activity without a permit (Bizkaia FR 2/2026, arts. 80.3 and 81.1.i).
  • Leisure motorcycling in the Urkiola and Gorbeia natural parks, and motorcycles or quads in the Meatzaldea protected biotope (their management plans; Foral Order 1113/2015).
  • On drove roads, except with an exceptional permit (Act 3/1995, art. 16.1).

Three provinces, three foral rules

In the Basque Country forests are run by each provincial council, and each has its own rule:

  • Bizkaia (Foral Rule 2/2026 on Forests, in force since August 2026): «the maximum authorised speed on forest tracks shall be limited to 30 km/h» and motorcycles «may never ride off forest tracks», except on authorised circuits (art. 81.1.f). It covers all forests, not just public ones.
  • Álava (Foral Rule 11/2007 and Foral Decree 10/2010, in public forests): only on authorised roads, at 30 km/h, on dirt ones only when the ground is dry and at night only with a permit. Secondary forest roads, unsurfaced and usually under 3 m, and singletrack are banned (FD 10/2010, arts. 3, 7 and 8).
  • Gipuzkoa (Foral Rule 7/2006, in public-utility forests): only on the authorised ways, logging tracks and parking areas (art. 62.d). It sets no speed.

Groups and events

Álava is the strictest: a group of more than two vehicles, or more than four if they carry no more than five people, is a special use that needs a permit from the forest's owner, requested 20 days ahead (FD 10/2010, arts. 8.a and 9). In Gipuzkoa, a convoy of more than four vehicles needs a permit (FR 7/2006, art. 62.d). Bizkaia does not limit groups, but organised motor activities need a permit (FR 2/2026, arts. 80.3 and 81.1.i).

Protected areas

The Basque Natural Heritage Conservation Act 9/2021 allows vehicles in protected areas only on the roads provided (art. 40.1), and riding a motor vehicle off them is a minor offence (art. 99.2.b). The foral forests rules also raise their fines by 50 % to 100 % inside a protected area (Act 9/2021, art. 108).

Some parks go further. The Gorbeia and Urkiola plans ban recreational activities using motorised means and motor competitions, and set 30 km/h; in Urkiola, most tracks are restricted. In the Meatzaldea biotope, motorcycles and quads are banned throughout. For the rest (Aralar, Aiako Harria, Valderejo, Izki, Urdaibai…), whatever their plan says.

Wildfires: tracks are not closed

Álava's foral wildfire orders, although their titles mention traffic, ban fire, spark-producing machinery and fireworks, not riding on tracks. In Bizkaia, an orange or red alert does not stop vehicles either (FR 2/2026, art. 98). In Gipuzkoa we found no order. Even so, respect any closure you see signposted.

Drove roads

We found no Basque or foral drove roads rule; the state act 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 read Bizkaia's and Álava's foral rules in full reproductions rather than the official gazette, and we do not know whether Gipuzkoa's has been amended since 2006. Nor have we read most parks' plans or the Natura 2000 plans, and in Álava and Gipuzkoa the rule only covers public forests: in private ones, the state act applies.

Until it is clear: on tracks, at 30 km/h, by day, in small groups and, in a park, ask its visitor centre.

What if you get fined

Fines vary by province:

  • Bizkaia: minor €250 to €1,500 (FR 2/2026, art. 117).
  • Gipuzkoa: minor €100 to €1,000 (FR 7/2006, art. 110).
  • Álava: riding an unauthorised road, over 30 km/h or on wet ground is serious, €251 to €1,000; cross-country is very serious, €1,001 to €10,000 (FR 11/2007, arts. 69 and 70).
  • In a protected area: minor €200 to €3,000 (Act 9/2021, art. 100.2).

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 tracks are main or secondary in Álava, which are authorised in Gipuzkoa or restricted, which forests are public 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 the Basque Country

Frequently asked questions

Can you ride dirt tracks in the Basque Country?
Yes, but by province: in Bizkaia on any forest track; in Álava's public forests, on the main tracks; in Gipuzkoa's, on the authorised ways. Off-track, in none of them.
Is there a speed limit?
30 km/h on Bizkaia's tracks (FR 2/2026, art. 81.1.f) and in Álava's public forests (FD 10/2010, art. 7). Gipuzkoa sets no speed.
How many motorcycles can ride together?
In Álava's public forests, more than two (or more than four carrying five people at most) need a permit (FD 10/2010, art. 8.a); in Gipuzkoa, more than four (FR 7/2006, art. 62.d). Bizkaia does not limit groups.
Can I ride at night or in mud?
In Álava's public forests, no: night riding needs a permit and dirt tracks are only ridden on dry ground (FD 10/2010, arts. 3.2.c and 8.c).
What is the fine?
Minor €250 to €1,500 in Bizkaia and €100 to €1,000 in Gipuzkoa; in Álava, €251 to €1,000 for an unauthorised road and up to €10,000 cross-country.

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.