The best MTB trails around Barillas

The Ebro Bridge in Tudela is an impressive example of medieval architecture. Built of stone, it spans 360 meters and consists of 16 piers and 17 uneven arches. This bridge is fundamental to the history of Tudela, as it has been a strategic crossing over the Ebro River since its construction in the 12th and 13th centuries. Although tradition attributes its construction to King Sancho VII the Strong, some historians suggest it may be a reconstruction of an earlier Muslim bridge. Over the years, it has undergone numerous renovations to withstand floods and the ravages of time.

Stork's nest on the disused railway line

The Balcón de Pilatos is a unique observation post for birds of prey (accessible only on foot or by bike). Vultures, golden eagles, and Egyptian vultures are common in the Bardenas.

The Balcón de Pilatos is a plateau in the Bardenas that allows you to see it in its entirety from above. From here, you can see the Shooting Range; the Valfondo ravine; in the background to the right, "Las Cortinas"; to the left, "El Yugo," "La Estroza," etc. It has many "veres": in spring, it will be a beautiful green; in summer, a desert-like yellow-ochre, also beautiful to me; if it has rained beforehand, it will be a deep brown (don't even think about entering: you'll be trapped for several days, as many unfamiliar people are). Its characteristics are due to the deforestation carried out since ancient times to obtain wood to meet the needs of the new society following the unification of the Catholic Monarchs and the subsequent Imperial needs. At the beginning of the last century, the resin from the remaining pine trees was also used to make "pez" (one of the pitch ovens has been rehabilitated). Now we find ourselves with a territory that is declared a Natural Park in an attempt to "conserve" the natural disasters produced by the "wild deforestation" carried out: Bardenas Reales de Navarra is the fruit of human action that has turned an "immense Mediterranean forest" into a "semi-desert place with no possibility of recovery: It would not be bad if someone with greater environmental sensitivity thought about, and launched, a project to demonstrate the capacity for human environmental destruction instead of using European and military (NATO and Spanish) money to "conserve!?-exploit" for tourism purposes what a "Town Council" decides without control of a Democratic Parliament, in the best feudal style of those that still remain in our country. That's Bardenas!

This route follows trails that are sometimes vertiginous: it's a route for trial riders and cyclists with a high level of bike proficiency; it's not suitable for touring riders.

As we passed through Tudela, we were lucky enough to unwittingly witness the first running of the bulls of the town's festival. We were able to watch the running of the bulls (8:00 AM) from the hotel, right in front of the last curve before entering the square. Afterwards, we started our route toward Zaragoza-Pinseque.

Entrance to Tudela via the bridge over the Ebro River. Beautiful view of the old part of the city and the river.

Bridge over the river at the entrance to Tudela through the old town and cathedral