Any time is a good time to go out and roll. If in addition to enjoying the controls of our motorcycle we do a bit of tourism, better than better. We propose five motorcycle routes to discover some of the best reservoirs or swamps in Spain.
With Easter just around the corner and after a few weeks of good rains – it was missing -, it is a good time to enjoy some of the many swamps that there are in Spain. Through Barcelona, Madrid, Palencia, Albacete/Murcia and Huelva, will you join us?We propose five routes through some of the best reservoirs in Spain
In Catalonia: Santa Fe de Montseny reservoir
The Montseny Natural Park is part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves due to its diverse vegetation. Its surroundings are also known for its biker tradition. The best entrance to the park is through Sant Celoni, enjoying the curves of the BV-5114 road. On the way up to the Montseny massif you will find a forest of oaks and oaks that will give way to another of beech and fir trees.
The obligatory stop to discuss the route with your friends and recharge your batteries is on the terrace of ‘Avert Blau’, where you will find yourself safe with other bikers. And to download the food, from there there is a path that in 15 minutes takes you to the Santa Fe del Montseny Reservoir. The Can Casades Information Center is a minute’s walk from the restaurant, an old summer house from the early 20th century where they will give you all the information about the park.
As the dam that was built at the beginning of the 20th century to generate electricity in the area was too small, between 1920 and 1935 this larger capacity reservoir was built. From the dam in the swamp you can take beautiful photos.
Swamp of Santa Fe de Montseny in Barcelona. Photo: Wikipedia
Photo: Wikipedia
In Madrid: Atazar Reservoir
There is no biker in Madrid who can resist a route to the Atazar reservoir, on the Lozoya River. There is the largest dam in the Community of Madrid with a capacity of 425.3 hm3, which represents 46% of the water supplied to the province. It was inaugurated in 1972 as one of the most important works of the Franco dictatorship.
Leaving from Plaza de Castilla, north of the capital, you have to take the A-1 to exit 60 to continue on the M-127 to your destination. About 62 kilometers. To make the route more fun, we recommend going to Torrelaguna towards El Berrueco (M-131) to enjoy a good road with curves. You will find the detour to El Atazar and you will have to continue on the M-133. On the way to the dam there are two viewpoints on the left where you can stop. Since you can’t stop the motorcycle at the dam itself, we recommend you either have a drink in the small town of El Atazar or continue towards Patones de Arriba, a beautiful town with black architecture that is well worth a walk. But before arriving, a mandatory stop to contemplate the reservoir from the highest part in a viewpoint that you find on the left bank.
And if you are left wanting more, you can continue to the El Villar reservoir, which is the oldest, opened in 1873, to the Puentes Viejas reservoir, from 1925, or to the Riosequillo reservoir, opened in 1958 with a dam over one kilometer long. It is very close to Buitrago de Lozoya, another town in the northern mountains of Madrid that you should not overlook. From the Atazar there are about 45 kilometers of route.
Atazar Reservoir, in Madrid. Photo: Pixabay
Photo: Pixabay
In Palencia: Route of the Swamps
For those of you who want to explore the Fuentes Carrionas de Palencia Natural Park, we suggest this route that runs through four reservoirs fed by the waters of the Pisuerga River. You will cross part of the Montaña Palentina on the P-210 road. In 81 kilometers you will enjoy the landscapes that surround the reservoirs of Ruesga, Requejada, Camporredondo, Compuerto and Aguilar de Campoo.
The Aguilar de Campoo reservoir is the largest in the province of Palencia. It has been operating since 1963 and has a capacity of 247 million cubic meters. When the water level drops, you can see a medieval bridge and the tower of the Cenera church.
It will be our starting point to head towards Cervera de Pisuerga along the CI-626. The detour along the CL-627 takes us to the Requejada reservoir, if you continue a little further along that road you will be able to contemplate some beautiful views of the Picos de Europa. Back in Cervera, we continue to the Ruesga reservoir on the P-210, the smallest in the province but with spectacular landscapes of the Palentina Mountains. We recommend you stop at the Alto de la Varga viewpoint and the Alba de los Cardaños viewpoint, from where you will see the Camporredondo reservoir, opened in 1930.
Time to regain strength? You can stop in Cardaño de Abajo, a town located very close to the reservoir, and from there continue towards the Compuerto reservoir, with a dam very close to the town of Otero de Guardo. And if you have been left wanting more, you can visit the Fuentes Tamáricas or Fuente de la Reana in Velilla del Río Carrión, a beautiful park with green grass where you can rest if the weather is good. 
Aguilar de Campoo reservoir, in Palencia. Photo: Wikipedia
Photo: Wikipedia
Between Albacete and Murcia: El Cenajo Reservoir
A beautiful route is recommended by a biker friend from Murcia to reach the El Cenajo reservoir, between the provinces of Albacete (Castilla La Mancha) and Murcia. It is the largest of those located on the Segura River. The route leaves from the Murcian city of Archena, towards Mula and then Calasparra. Along a very winding road, you go over the Hijar bridge until you reach the viewpoint of the reservoir where the views are spectacular. Then you head towards Hellín and take a detour towards the swamp to reach the top. There you can stop and contemplate some beautiful views. We recommend that you return to Calasparra, a good place to take a well-deserved break and try its rice with denomination of origin. Another option is to go to eat in Jumilla, also known for its wines and pears with denomination of origin -although be careful with the wine if you have to keep driving ;-)-.
The beginnings of this El Cenajo reservoir date back to the hydraulic works plan of the Franco regime. The first works were carried out between 1943 and 1952 by some 350 workers, many of them prisoners. It finally opened in style in 1963 with a light and sound show. It occupies an area of 1,732 hectares and has a capacity of 437 hm3.
El Cenajo Reservoir, between Albacete and Murcia. Photo: Carri Film
Photo: Carri Film
In Huelva: Río Tinto and Sierra de Aracena mines
If you are in the province of Huelva or it catches you nearby, a route that you cannot miss is that of the Minas del Río Tinto and the Sierra de Aracena. In addition to enjoying the controls of your motorcycle you can go sightseeing and discover the oldest mines in the world and right now one of the largest open mines in Europe. They were exploited neither more nor less than 5,000 years ago. Due to the effect of its metals (iron and copper) the earth is reddish and that is why the Tinto River carries very dense waters of the color of the wine that has given it its name.
From Huelva to the Minas de Riotinto there are about 70 kilometers rolling along the secondary roads N-435 -frequented by bikers due to its curves and be careful, considered one of the most dangerous in Spain- and A-461 -remodeled in 2018-. If you dare, you can get on a steam locomotive from 1833 and take a trip along the Tinto River. It is advisable to go up to the Corta Atalaya viewpoint to contemplate the entire landscape left by the mines.
Continuing north you reach the Gossan reservoir, spectacular for the color of its waters. The A-461 regional road crosses it, dividing it into two parts, the western half is called Gossan and the eastern half is called the Copper reservoir. The obligatory stop to regain strength can be made in the town of Campofrío, at a distance of just 5 kilometers.
Already charged with energy, we recommend a 19-kilometre route from Campofrío to visit the Gruta de las Maravillas, in the middle of the Sierra de Aracena, a cave with spectacular formations of stalactites, stalagmites…
Gossan Reservoir, in the Río Tinto Mines area, in Huelva. Photo: @JuanmaBrioso
Photo: @JuanmaBrioso
And so far our five proposals for some of the best reservoirs in Spain. In this link we suggest other routes through medieval towns in Spain.
We leave you some recommendations to enjoy driving safely:
– At the controls zero alcohol and zero drugs
– Secondary roads, how to combine fun and safety
– The speed limits when you move on a motorcycle. all keys
– Driving a motorcycle at night. All you need to know
– Eight keys to enjoy the motorcycle in winter
– What do I wear to ride a motorcycle in summer?
– All the keys to ride a motorcycle in summer
And do not forget that there are new traffic regulations. Here we explain all the news of the new Traffic Law in force since March 21, 2022.
