Montañas Vacías is Ernesto Pastor’s off-road bikepacking project through sparsely populated inland Spain. Starting and finishing in Teruel, it explores the Montes Universales, Sierra de Javalambre and Sierra de Gúdar on forest roads and doubletrack.
Five geographical areas
The main loop is listed at 680 km with 12,910 m of climbing. Its five geographical divisions are Sierra de Albarracín, El Tajo, Serranía de Cuenca, Javalambre and Gúdar; they are not prescribed daily stages.
Connecting routes and shortcuts allow itineraries of roughly 150–700 km. Options include links through Cubillo, Los Castillos, Tabernillas, Vía Verde and Orea.
Terrain, equipment and experience
The creator describes a demanding route for riders with experience of remote bikepacking. Climbing, rough surfaces and distance from services matter even where the gravel roads are technically straightforward.
Pastor suggests 40–42 mm tyres as a possible minimum and low gearing. Light gravel setups may require short walking sections, while mountain bikes trade speed for capability.
The creator’s planning materials
The project is a permanent itinerary that can be ridden independently. Its download area provides a PDF guide, GPS tracks and updated waypoints; the separate Other Routes section includes easier options and an asphalt version.
Original sources
Route created by Ernesto Pastor.
- Montañas Vacías — The Route — the original project, its location and riding concept.
- Montanas Vacias on BIKEPACKING.com, by Ernesto Pastor — the creator’s presentation of the route and its landscapes.