A hilly gravel day between extinct volcanoes and beech forest, covering 88 km with 1,600 m of climbing.
from €135 per rider
Check availability(opens in a new tab)
Volcano Gravel Day near Leon — full day, 88 km is a hard full day gravel tour in Leon, taking in Extinct volcanoes, Beech forest.
Places on the way: Extinct volcanoes, Beech forest
Volcano Gravel Day is a full day on unpaved tracks near Leon, covering 88 km with 1,600 m of climbing. The route links the extinct volcanoes with long stretches of beech forest, so the day alternates between open, rounded volcanic terrain and shaded woodland tracks.
It is a hard day. The climbing is steady and repeated rather than concentrated in one big pass, and the surface asks for attention on loose and rutted sections. You should arrive comfortable with several hours on gravel and with a bike that handles it well.
Among the Ride Leon tours, this is the most demanding gravel option. It has noticeably more climbing than the Forest Gravel Loop near Leon at 72 km, and it is far harder than the Riverside Gravel Intro. It is also a scenery-led day, unlike The Big Climb Morning, which is built around a single serious ascent.
This tour is graded hard and is aimed at confident gravel riders. Expect a full day in the saddle: 88 km with 1,600 m of climbing is a lot on loose surfaces, where progress is slower than on tarmac.
You should be used to riding six or more hours including stops, and to descending on unpaved tracks. If you are new to gravel, the Riverside Gravel Intro (34 km, easy) is a better first step. Riders who want a gentler day can look at the Forest Gravel Loop near Leon.
The ride is split between two kinds of terrain. In the volcanic area the tracks climb and roll between extinct cones, with open views over the crater landscape and a more exposed feel when the wind is up.
The beech forest sections are cooler and quieter. Tracks are narrower, the surface can be damp or covered in leaves, and the gradient often continues under the trees. Together the two give the profile its steady, repeated climbing instead of a single long pass.
With 1,600 m of climbing spread across 88 km, pacing matters more than speed. Start steadily, eat early and often, and save energy for the later climbs, when the tracks are still unpaved but your legs are tired.
Bring a gravel bike or a robust bike with wide tyres, spare tubes or a plug kit, and enough water for long sections without villages. Check with the partner when booking about bike hire, tyre size and what support is available on the day.
Spring and autumn usually suit a hard gravel day best, when temperatures are moderate and the beech woods are at their most atmospheric. Midsummer can be hot on the exposed volcanic sections, so an early start matters.
After heavy rain, forest tracks can turn muddy and slow, which makes the day harder still. Check the forecast beforehand and confirm with the partner how weather changes are handled.
Against the Forest Gravel Loop near Leon, this day is longer by 16 km and considerably harder because of the extra climbing. The Big Climb Morning is a hard half day with one serious ascent, while Volcano Gravel Day is a full day where the scenery and varied terrain are as important as the effort.
If you want sea views and distance over climbing, the Costa Brava Coast Road from Leon is the better match.
It is graded hard. You ride 88 km with 1,600 m of climbing on unpaved tracks, so it suits riders who are already confident on gravel and used to long days.
Yes. The Volcano Gravel Day is longer at 88 km against 72 km for the loop, and it has noticeably more climbing (1,600 m against 1,050 m), so it is the most demanding gravel day on the site.
Gravel tracks between extinct volcanoes and through beech forest. Expect a mix of open, exposed sections and shaded woodland tracks that can be damp or loose.
It is not recommended. Newer gravel riders should start with the Riverside Gravel Intro, a 34 km easy ride, before attempting this one.
Gravel
A long day on pine-forest tracks and farm lanes east of the city, with a steady 1,050 m of climbing across the loop.
Moderate, Full day
from €160 per rider Not bookable right now
Road
A long road day along the cliff road between coves, with a seafood lunch stop and 1,650 m of climbing.
Hard, Full day
from €150 per rider Not bookable right now
Road
A demanding morning road ride built around one long climb, covering 62 km with 1,180 m of ascent.
Hard, Half day
from €95 per rider Not bookable right now