Taking any of the motorbike routes around Madrid is a real pleasure. This is an autonomous region full of back roads, many of them through the heart of the Sierra de Guadarrama and the national park that bears the same name. There are others through the fields and meadows of its rivers, connecting villages and small towns where you can savour the flavour of history in their centuries-old buildings.
On all these motorbike routes through Madrid you can find, sometimes even along the road itself, bars and restaurants where you can sample the best of the local gastronomy and recharge your batteries during a day on your motorbike.
From north to south and east to west, here are some of the best motorbike routes through Madrid.
- Motorbike route through the Sierra Norte
- South Madrid, a motorbike route between fields and meadows
- Motorbike route through the Sierra Oeste
- Motorbike route through the Canencia pass
- Motorbike ride to Rascafría
- Where to eat after a motorbike ride in Madrid
- Itineraries for Madrid
Motorbike route through the Sierra Norte
Of all the motorbike routes in Madrid, this is undoubtedly the most spectacular. There are many route options from the A-1 (Madrid-Burgos) or A-6 (Madrid-A Coruña) motorways, and they all reach the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. We suggest a route which, starting from the capital, takes you into the Sierra Norte and then continues on to the Alto de La Cruz Verde.
In total, this motorbike route through northern Madrid covers 400 kilometres of winding roads, climbing and descending mountain passes which are legendary among bikers. There are 11 in total between Torrelaguna and El Escorial, the end point of this route.
Starting at La Hiruela, continuing through Somosierra and, from there, heading northwest towards Navafría, La Morcuera, Cotos, Navacerrada, Alto de los Leones and, finally, La Cruz Verde. This pass, which connects the provinces of Madrid and Ávila, is one of the main meeting points for bikers in the country’s inland and offers a real treat for all motorbike lovers.
South Madrid, a motorbike route between fields and meadows
Of all the motorbike routes through Madrid, this one, which covers the most important towns in southern Madrid, is perhaps the least winding and most straightforward. It is therefore ideal for those less experienced on two wheels. Even so, the back roads that run through this part of the autonomous community are still full of charm. Especially in the wooded surroundings of rivers such as the Jarama, the Tajuña and the Tajo and their fertile farming areas.
This motorbike route through southern Madrid could start in Nuevo Baztán, although it is to the east geographically. After visiting Goyeneche Palace, you can continue on to Perales de Tajuña, perched on a bank of the river, and then on to Chinchón. One of the prettiest in Madrid (and Spain), this village can be a good place to eat, especially around its famous Plaza Mayor.
You can then continue on this route to the villages of Colmenar de Oreja and Villaconejos, which also have outstanding rich heritage in the form of popular architecture, before finishing in Aranjuez.
Before arriving at this historic town, with its Royal Palace, its gardens and its close links with the Tagus River, you can walk along the 12 Calles, a tree-lined area of high environmental importance.
Motorbike route through the Sierra Oeste
Slightly gentler than the rugged mountains on the Sierra Norte Madrid motorbike route, the Sierra Oeste is also full of stunning surroundings that are well worth exploring two wheels.
The starting point of this motorbike route through Madrid’s Sierra Oeste should begin in the town of Navalcarnero, with its impressive Castilian-style arcaded Plaza Mayor. From there you can continue on to Sevilla la Nueva, Quijorna and Brunete.
Once you have visited these places, you can continue on back roads towards the towns of Fresnedillas de la Oliva and Robledo de Chavela, amidst meadows and fields filled with pine and holm oak trees.
There is then a landscape that continues in this way, flanking the route of the motorbike route through the Sierra Oeste de Madrid until it reaches Colmenar del Arroyo and, above all, Aldea del Fresno. This could be the end point of the route, but the best thing to do is to return to Navalcarnero, to continue enjoying the natural landscapes that this beautiful area of the Community of Madrid has to offer.
Motorbike route through the Canencia pass
This motorbike route through the Canencia pass is certainly one of the most spectacular that you can travel on around Madrid. This is mainly because a large part of the route runs through forests of oak, birch, pine and other high mountain conifers. This is also true because of the winding route, with bends, twists and turns, putting the bike and the rider’s skill to the test.
From Miraflores de la Sierra to the Canencia pass there are just over eight kilometres of riding, over a 500-metre drop on a well-paved road, although there are some fairly narrow sections. Once at the pass you can have a rest at the large recreational area, enjoying the fresh air and the beauty of the surroundings, and then continue on to the village of Canencia, some nine kilometres further down, also surrounded by lush natural scenery.
Motorbike ride to Rascafría
From Madrid you can reach the mountain village of Rascafría by motorbike via two equally fascinating routes. The first is from the A-1, passing through the village of Lozoyuela and then taking the M-604 road. The second is from Miraflores de la Sierra, via the La Morcuera pass.
This is undoubtedly the most enjoyable and rewarding option from a scenic point of view. It’s also quite a bit more technical, however, and requires a good level of motorbiking skill. Along the route you will pass through dense pine forests and areas of medium and high mountain vegetation. You can also enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Sierra from the different viewpoints along the route.
Once in Rascafría, it is always worth visiting the monastery of El Paular, a wonderful example of Madrid’s religious architecture. If the weather is good, you can take a dip in the natural pools of the Las Presillas recreational area, very close to this religious site.
Where to eat after a motorbike ride in Madrid
There are many good restaurants in Madrid that welcome bikers, with decor related to motorbikes and the way of life of those who love to travel on two wheels. Here are some of them:
Racers Madrid (Albasanz, 68): typical American cuisine (hamburgers, pork ribs, Caesar salad, etc.) goes hand in hand with Mediterranean and Spanish dishes in this restaurant. Everything to cater to a biker clientele, who are eclectic and love big portions.
Dakota Custom Bar (Paseo Imperial, 89): the owners of this place describe it as a bar by bikers and for bikers. There’s no doubting this from the moment you walk through the door, with photos, accessories and other biker details lining the walls. As for the menu, finger food and dishes to share are the order of the day.
Revival Café Madrid (Avenida de la Victoria, 7): this authentic temple of motorbike culture is not just a good place to come for lunch or dinner. It’s also worth a visit to enjoy the live music and the fantastic atmosphere created by the many Madrid bikers who meet here.
Itineraries for Madrid
In addition to these motorbike routes around Madrid, we have some itineraries that will allow you to get to know the city depending on the time you have available:
