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Gravel · O Riós, Galicia Easy

Valmedo route (Centro BTT Portas de Galicia R2)

By bicis.net community · One way

In short: One-way gravel route of 15.4 km and +428 m from O Riós (Ourense). It's easy and will take you about 1 h 30; its hardest kilometre is at 9.8 % and 76 % is track or trail.

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Distance
15.4 km
Elevation gain
+428 m
Max altitude
872 m
Hardest km
9.8 %
Difficulty
Easy
Estimated time
1 h 30 min

1 water fountain within 250 m of the route, according to OpenStreetMap. Cycling map

Profile

0 km7.7 km15.4 km
872 m

Run your finger or mouse over the profile to see each point on the map.

Surface

Tarmac 24 % Track 76 % Trail 0 %

Mostly track: good for gravel or a mountain bike. Measured on OpenStreetMap; there may be recent changes on the ground.

The route

Where it goes

The R2 of the Centro BTT Portas de Galicia sets off from O Riós, in south-east Ourense, and heads into the hills that form the border with Portugal. The track you have here is point-to-point and is 15.4 km long with 428 m of elevation gain. The signposted route on the ground is longer: in OpenStreetMap the R2 relation is around 21 km. If you want to ride the full route, follow the MTB centre's waymarks.

76% of the route runs on dirt track, among oaks, heather and hay meadows, with some tarmac at the start and through the hamlets. It rides well on a gravel bike with wide tyres. After rain, the dirt tracks are muddy and full of puddles.

Where it bites

It's short, repeated climbs in the hills rather than one long climb. Save something for the way back if you return the same way.

Where to stop

Water and coffee in O Riós before you set off. Few hamlets along the way have services, so take a bottle and something to eat.

When to go

Spring and autumn are best. In winter it can freeze on the higher parts and there's fog; in summer, set off early. Respect the livestock grazing freely and leave gates as you found them.

How to get there

Drive to O Riós. The nearest train station is A Gudiña, on the high-speed line to Ourense. If you're still hungry for more, the R4 of Pena Maseira starts in A Gudiña, and you'll find more among bicis.net's routes in Galicia.

Sources for this text: OpenStreetMap: Centro BTT Portas de Galicia R2 · Turismo de Galicia

The R2 of the Centro BTT Portas de Galicia is a signposted mountain bike loop of about 21 km through the hills of south-east Ourense, around A Gudiña and A Mezquita. It runs on dirt tracks and paths between meadows, oak woods and scrubland, with short climbs and the odd ramp you will feel. It is a good mid-morning option if you want to get to know the area without committing to a long ride. There are no reliable fountains on the way: set off with a full bottle. Best from March to June and from September to November; after rainy days the meadow sections get muddy. Follow the MTB centre's waymarks and respect the livestock.

Track based on OpenStreetMap (Centro BTT Portas de Galicia, signposted route R2) (ODbL).

Frequently asked questions

Is it a loop?
The bicis.net track is point-to-point, 15.4 km from O Rìos. The signposted R2 of the MTB centre is longer, around 21 km according to OpenStreetMap.
Can you ride it on a gravel bike?
Yes. 76% is dirt track and the rest tarmac through the hamlets. In mud, wide tyres are better.
Is there water along the way?
Not much. Fill up with water in O Rìos before you set off.
When is the best time to go?
Spring and autumn. In winter it can freeze and there may be fog on the higher parts.

Before you set off, check the state of the road or track and follow the traffic rules. Enjoy the ride.

Got a gravel bike gathering dust?

People who ride tracks like this one look for second-hand gravel bikes, and right now very few are for sale. List yours for free and riders near you will see it.

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