Arcos de Jalón: Cycling Routes, Nature and Railway History

Mountain biking circuits, trails through ravines, a hilltop castle and a railway past give Arcos de Jalón a range of attractions for visitors.

Cycling and trails

The Arcos de Jalón BTT Centre offers six signposted mountain biking routes with different difficulty levels. The routes are circuits and can be started in any of the towns that are part of the centre. This means you can choose a route based on its difficulty level and possible starting point. Information about the route network may be updated, so check route details before setting out.

One loop with a specified length is the Ruta de la Chorronera: it is 2.8 kilometres long, fully accessible, and designed for walking or cycling. Its stated length and format set it apart from the network of six circuits. If you would rather plan a stage than a circuit, the Camino del Cid stage from Atienza to Calatayud passes through Somaén, Arcos de Jalón and Aguilar de Montuenga. Arcos de Jalón is listed as 4.93 kilometres after Somaén.

The Cortados del Jalón section between Medinaceli and Arcos de Jalón uses the disused former N-II as a route for motor vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Check local access and road conditions before planning to travel this section.

Ravines, woodland and Laguna de Judes

The route through the Barranco de Avenales follows a small limestone ravine along the Arroyo del Salobral de Avenales. It runs between the abandoned settlement of Avenales and the Río Jalón near Somaén. Dense holm oak forests extend through the Barranco de la Cerrada Cascos, between Arcos de Jalón and Jubera. These landscapes offer different things to see: a ravine along a stream and an extensive woodland area.

Another named walking trail is El Barranco de la Sima. It begins in Judes and ends in Alconchel, in the province of Zaragoza. Laguna de Judes is the only karst lagoon in the province of Soria. It lies within the “Sabinares del Jalón” protected area, ZEC (ES4170057), which covers 19,068 hectares. A path of about 3.5 kilometres leads to the lagoon. The access route may change seasonally, so check route details before setting out.

Townscape, architectural history and railways

The Castillo de Arcos de Jalón stands on a hill above the town. The narrow lanes on the slope below the castle are evidence of Muslim settlement in the area. The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción dates from the 16th century and was rebuilt in the 18th century. The single-nave building combines Gothic and Renaissance features. Check the church service schedule before visiting.

The railway is also part of the town’s history. A restored Mikado locomotive is preserved in the station district. At the end of the 19th century, Arcos de Jalón became an important transport hub and locomotive depot on the Madrid–Barcelona railway line. In Alto Jalón, roads and railway lines connect the Ebro Valley in Aragon with the Castilian Meseta; this regional context complements the local railway history without conflating it with the landscape trails.

Festivals and confectionery tradition

During Semana Santa, the traditional Rompida de la Hora takes place at 23:59 in the Plaza Mayor of Arcos de Jalón. If you are planning your trip around this event, check the dates in advance.

El Abuelo José Luis in Arcos de Jalón continues a confectionery tradition that dates back to 1850 and has been passed down through five generations. If you are planning a specific visit, it is advisable to check that the business is still operating beforehand. Pastelería Ramiro makes turrón by hand using selected ingredients and a method that dates from before machinery was introduced. The product may be available seasonally.

Discover more destinations: Somaén, Duruelo De La Sierra, Cubo De La Solana, Yanguas, Calatañazor, Cubilla, Cidones, Rejas de San Esteban.

For the overview of the wider region: Soria.