How cycling in Ponferrada could look like.
How cycling in Balboa could look like.

Cycling day trip from Ponferrada to Balboa

Customize your own route based on our template or discover how our community prefers to cycle from Ponferrada to Balboa.

Route template

Ponferrada to Balboa

4 h 43 min
Duration
60.5 km
Distance
1,663 m
Ascent
1,491 m
Descent
12.8 km/h
Avg. speed
1,261 m
Max. altitude

Set off from the historic city of Ponferrada, famous for its Templar castle and lively plazas, and make your way into the heart of rural El Bierzo on this epic ride to Balboa. This route is a real adventure, winding through almost 61 km of the greenest corners of León. Expect a fair bit of climbing—over 1,600 meters—as you rise to stunning viewpoints (maxing out at 1,260 m).

The majority of the ride leads you along tracks and quiet roads—perfect for soaking in the scenery and not worrying about heavy traffic. Make sure your bike can handle a mix of surfaces, since only about a quarter of the journey is paved; you’ll get to test your skills on gravel and unpaved stretches along the way.

At the journey’s end, Balboa awaits—a tiny mountain village known for its traditional pallozas (thatched-roof houses) and welcoming local vibe. This route is challenging but absolutely rewarding for any cyclist wanting to explore authentic Bierzo landscapes off the beaten path. Don’t forget your camera and maybe a picnic for one of those incredible hilltop breaks!

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From our community

The best bike routes from Ponferrada to Balboa

0

Camponaraya - Balboa

Cycling route in Ponferrada, Castille and León, Spain

59.2 km
Distance
2,297 m
Ascent
1,714 m
Descent
0

Ponferrada - Vega de Valcarce

Cycling route in Ponferrada, Castille and León, Spain

67.9 km
Distance
2,897 m
Ascent
2,146 m
Descent
0

Santa Colomba de Somoza - Villafranca del Bierzo

Cycling route in Ponferrada, Castille and León, Spain

63.8 km
Distance
2,774 m
Ascent
2,020 m
Descent
0

Etappe 10: Ponferrada - O Cebreiro

Cycling route in Ponferrada, Castille and León, Spain

Hotel El Castillo, Av. el Castillo, 115, 24400 Ponferrada, León, Spain Hotel O Cebreiro, Rúa Cebreiro, 10, 27670 O Cebreiro, Lugo, Spain
53.5 km
Distance
1,159 m
Ascent
405 m
Descent
0

Ponferrada - Piedrafita do Cebreiro

Cycling route in Ponferrada, Castille and León, Spain

Stage 9
50.2 km
Distance
854 m
Ascent
268 m
Descent
0

Ponferrada - O Cebriaro

Cycling route in Ponferrada, Castille and León, Spain

58.9 km
Distance
1,599 m
Ascent
992 m
Descent
0

Etapa 6: De Ponferrada a O Cebreiro

Cycling route in Ponferrada, Castille and León, Spain

57.9 km
Distance
969 m
Ascent
207 m
Descent
1

Day4_Ponferrada_OCebreiro_Pedrafita_solB

Cycling route in Ponferrada, Castille and León, Spain

53 km
Distance
1,004 m
Ascent
434 m
Descent
1

Ponferrada-Piedrafita

Cycling route in Ponferrada, Castille and León, Spain

8 etapa CS
48.5 km
Distance
944 m
Ascent
364 m
Descent
1

Camino de Santiago 8/12 Ponferrada - Cebreiro

Cycling route in Ponferrada, Castille and León, Spain

Octava etapa
52.4 km
Distance
1,116 m
Ascent
390 m
Descent
0

SdC_2024_Tag3_Ponferrada nach Piedrafita

Cycling route in Ponferrada, Castille and León, Spain

43.9 km
Distance
805 m
Ascent
216 m
Descent

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