Gravel along the Canal de Castilla and Tierra de Campos from Palencia

A flat loop north of Palencia, almost entirely on dirt tracks through cereal fields. You leave the city towards Grijota and pick up the Ramal de Campos of the Canal de Castilla, riding its towpath beside the water to Villaumbrales and Becerril de Campos. From Becerril you turn east on farm tracks to Monzón de Campos, with its castle above the Carrión, and return south via Husillos and Fuentes de Valdepero, another village with a castle, before riding back into Palencia.

Surface: compact track and towpath for almost the whole route, with short stretches of tarmac in and out of the villages. There is no daunting elevation: what stings here is the Tierra de Campos wind, so check which way it's blowing and save some energy for the way back.

Water and food: bars and fountains in Grijota, Becerril de Campos and Monzón de Campos; Palencia has everything. Take at least two bottles in summer, as there is hardly any shade.

Best time: spring and autumn. In winter the tracks can be muddy after rain and fog is common; in July and August set off very early. Palencia has a train station if you'd rather come without a car.

Track based on a route designed by the editorial team on OpenStreetMap (ODbL).