Wild Spain Collection - Spain

Los Mallos MTB Basecamp

Q: Is Los Mallos suitable for beginners?

No. It's an intermediate to advanced basecamp (approx. S2–S4) with exposed, rocky terrain beneath the conglomerate towers. It suits confident riders more than first-timers.

Q: Is Los Mallos good for e-MTB groups?

Yes, highly suitable. E-MTBs help link the ridges, villages and longer foothill loops that define this basecamp.

Q: What's the best season to ride Los Mallos?

March to June and September to November, avoiding the exposed, hot summer months in this dry Pre-Pyrenean landscape.

The Land of Giants. Ride beneath the stone titans.

300 m

stone giants

21.5 km

hero ride

Ayerbe

basecamp

Oct-May

best season

Basecamp Infographic

Infographic text version

Los Mallos basecamp data

The Land of Giants. Ride beneath the stone titans. A Pre-Pyrenean Agro-Enduro basecamp where 300-metre conglomerate towers, Griffon vultures, Loarre Castle, Ayerbe and natural shepherd trails create one of Spain's most distinctive riding landscapes.

stone giants: 300 m
hero ride: 21.5 km
basecamp: Ayerbe
best season: Oct-May

Riding DNA

Archetype: The Land of Giants
Reveal moment: Mirador de los Buitres
Terrain identity: Agro-Enduro
Cultural identity: Loarre Castle, shepherd trails and Aragon villages
Food ritual: ternasco, mountain wine and refollao

Trip rhythm

Day 1: Ayerbe Arrival & Agro-Enduro Warm-Up. Settle into the operational hub, prepare bikes and ride a shorter natural loop to understand the loose rock, red dirt and Pre-Pyrenean rhythm.
Day 2: Superenduro Riglos Hero Day. Ride the defining Giant Slayer loop beneath the Mallos, linking the climb, viewpoints and the technical Carcavilla descent.
Day 3: Foz de Salinas & Aguero. Shift west for canyon riding, stone towers, exposed views and a different expression of the giant landscape.

The Riding

Los Mallos is The Land of Giants: a spectacular Pre-Pyrenean landscape where 300-metre conglomerate towers rise vertically from the earth and ancient shepherd trails carve through red dirt, limestone, exposed ridges and natural switchbacks. This is the home of Agro-Enduro, a raw riding style shaped by agriculture, monasteries, survival routes and mountain culture rather than machines.

Basecamp decision logic

Ride Intelligence

Use this as the quick-fit logic for season, bike setup, group level and how much support your trip needs.

Best season

March-June / September-November

Technical level

Intermediate to advanced / approx. S2-S4

Best bike

Trail or enduro MTB. eMTB highly suitable for linking ridges, villages and longer foothill loops.

Read more Open the full decision table, support logic and rider-fit notes.

Full decision logic

Expand this when season, terrain, bike setup or support choices need a deeper check before choosing the basecamp.

Los Mallos / Riglos is a visual powerhouse: red conglomerate towers, dry singletrack, open ridges and huge Pyrenean foothill scenery. It works best for riders who want dramatic landscapes, natural trail character and a different flavour from the high alpine or Atlantic forest destinations.

Best season

March-June / September-November

Caution season

Summer heat can be intense on exposed conglomerate terrain. Winter can be cold and windy, especially on open ridges.

Ride character

Conglomerate towers, dry Pyrenean foothills, rocky singletrack, red earth, exposed ridges, canyon views, historic villages and dramatic cliff scenery.

Typical ride day

25-50 km / 700-1,500 m+ / 3-6 hours

Technical level

Intermediate to advanced / approx. S2-S4

Fitness demand

Medium-high. Climbs can be exposed and dry; descents are natural, rocky and sometimes loose.

Best bike

Trail or enduro MTB. eMTB highly suitable for linking ridges, villages and longer foothill loops.

eMTB suitability

Very good - especially for longer loops and exposed climbs in dry terrain.

Guide logic

Useful for first visit, route linking, exposed trails, group-fit decisions and avoiding weak or overgrown options.

Shuttle usefulness

Useful in selected cases, but many rides work well as loops or eMTB-supported days.

Weather logic

Avoid peak heat and strong wind on exposed terrain. Shoulder seasons offer the best balance of grip, temperature and light.

Best for

Scenery-first trail riders
eMTB groups
Riders who like rocky natural terrain
Photogenic Pyrenean foothill rides
Groups wanting dramatic landscapes without full alpine logistics

Not ideal for

Beginners
Riders seeking lush forest trails
Groups uncomfortable with exposure or loose rock
Pure bike-park riders

Why Ride Los Mallos?

Ride Beneath The Stone Titans

Some mountain bike destinations are defined by mountains. Los Mallos is defined by giants. Riglos, Aguero and Pena Rueba dominate the horizon, glowing red and orange in the evening sun. The riding is physical, technical and unmistakably natural: loose limestone, old stone staircases, red dirt, exposed ridgelines and rough descents where the mountain does not adapt to you. You adapt to the mountain.

Archetype: The Land of Giants
Riding identity: Agro-Enduro
300-metre vertical conglomerate towers
A flagship for natural terrain, winter riding, history and vulture country

Basecamp

Ayerbe: The Operational Hub

Ayerbe is the strongest basecamp for Los Mallos because it sits at the centre of the riding territory. It gives access to Riglos, Aguero, Pena Rueba, Loarre, Marcuello and Sierra Estronad while offering accommodation, restaurants, supplies and the best logistical base for a multi-day expedition.

Basecamp archetype: the operational hub
Alternative basecamp: Riglos, the kingdom beneath the giants
Direct access to all main Los Mallos sectors
Post-ride ritual: stone plazas, mountain taverns, local wine and refollao

At A Glance

Stone Giants, Loarre Castle And Vulture Country

Los Mallos combines enormous rock architecture, natural trails, medieval history and year-round riding potential. It is one of the most visually unique MTB destinations in Europe.

300 m stone giants
Agro-Enduro terrain
Official Reino de los Mallos network
Loarre Castle, 11th-century fortress
Griffon vulture colonies
Prime winter riding destination
Pre-Pyrenean wilderness
Aragon mountain culture

Signature Rides

The Five Rides That Define Los Mallos

The signature rides tell the giant-stone story from different angles: the benchmark Riglos loop, the razor ridge of Salinas, the western towers of Aguero, the fortress line of Marcuello and the ancient Sierra Estronad Roman road.

Superenduro Riglos: the giant slayer
Foz de Salinas: the razor ridge
Mallos de Aguero: the stone giants circuit
Castillo de Marcuello Loop: the fortress descent
Sierra Estronad: the Roman road

Hero Ride

Superenduro Riglos: The Giant Slayer

Superenduro Riglos is the ride that explains Los Mallos. It follows the Gallego River, climbs through Senda de los Clerigos, reaches high viewpoints beneath the towers and then drops into the legendary Carcavilla descent: loose, physical, technical and pure Agro-Enduro.

Distance: 21.5 km
Climbing: 850 m
Difficulty: expert
Ride type: Agro-Enduro expedition

The Defining Reveal

Mirador de los Buitres: The Balcony Of Giants

The climb is rough, the anticipation builds and then the landscape opens. Below rise the giant monoliths of Riglos, cliffs fall away, vultures soar at eye level and the Gallego Valley stretches toward the horizon. You feel tiny. The giants do not.

The defining Los Mallos reveal moment
Eye-level Griffon vulture encounters
Panoramas across Riglos and the Gallego Valley
The scale that makes the destination unforgettable

Ride Character

Agro-Enduro

Agro-Enduro is mountain biking in its rawest form: trails shaped by shepherds, agriculture, monastery access and mountain survival. Expect conglomerate rock, loose limestone, red dirt, natural shelves, old stone paths and descents that reward balance, commitment and mountain awareness.

Conglomerate rock, limestone, red dirt and ancient stone
Natural switchbacks, rock gardens and rough fall-lines
Technical rather than polished
A riding identity unique within the EpicBikeTrails collection

The Four Faces

Riglos, Loarre, Aguero And Pena Rueba

The kingdom has four faces. Riglos is the climber's republic and the iconic landscape. Loarre is the fortress frontier of castles and old Aragon. Aguero is the western stone giant zone. Pena Rueba is the Agro-Enduro laboratory, where natural riding becomes most technical.

Riglos: the climber's republic
Loarre: the fortress frontier
Aguero: the stone giants
Pena Rueba: the Agro-Enduro laboratory

Scenery

The Vulture Armada And The Fortress Frontier

The scenery feels prehistoric: vertical towers, huge skies and cliffs that burn red at sunset. Griffon vultures rule the thermals. Loarre Castle and the surrounding watchtowers add the history layer, while ancient shepherd trails explain why the riding remains so natural.

Primary natural force: giant conglomerate monoliths
Cultural identity: Loarre Castle, monasteries and frontier history
Terrain identity: Agro-Enduro, red dirt, loose limestone and shepherd paths
Food ritual: ternasco, mountain stews, local wine and refollao

Best Season

October To May

October to May is the prime Los Mallos window. Winter is one of its strengths, with dry Pre-Pyrenean riding when higher destinations are snowbound. Spring is vibrant, autumn is excellent and summer requires early starts because midday heat can become intense.

How We Build It

Standalone Or Combined

Los Mallos works beautifully as a three-day destination, becomes richer over five days and is strongest in a seven-day itinerary when paired with Sierra de Guara or Ainsa. The best trips combine Superenduro Riglos, Foz de Salinas, Aguero, Loarre, Marcuello, Pena Rueba and Sierra Estronad.

3 days: perfect short-format Agro-Enduro break
5 days: ideal immersion in the territory
7 days: combine with Sierra de Guara or Ainsa
Guided support helps with natural terrain and route choice

Who It Is For

For Technical Riders And Winter Explorers

Los Mallos is perfect for enduro riders, adventure seekers, technical riders, winter MTB escapes, scenic riders, E-MTB riders and groups seeking authentic terrain. It is less suitable for bike-park riders, flow-trail fanatics, beginners or riders expecting alpine terrain.

Perfect for: technical enduro riders and adventure seekers
Perfect for: winter riders, culture lovers and E-MTB explorers
Less suitable for: bike-park riders and true beginners
Less suitable for: alpine-terrain seekers and groomed-flow specialists

Basecamp DNA

Adventure, Technicality And Giants Everywhere

Los Mallos scores highest for adventure, scenic value, technical challenge and cultural depth. Wilderness, E-MTB and enduro strength are high; flow and family suitability are lower because the terrain is rough, natural and exposed.

Adventure 5/5
Scenic Value 5/5
Technical Challenge 5/5
Cultural Depth 4/5
Wilderness 4/5
E-MTB Friendly 4/5
Enduro Riding 4/5
Flow Riding 3/5
Family Friendly 2/5
Bike Park Riding 1/5

Why We Selected It

The Agro-Enduro Flagship

We selected Los Mallos because nowhere else in Spain combines giant conglomerate monoliths, natural Agro-Enduro riding, medieval history, Griffon vultures and year-round riding conditions in such a spectacular landscape.

Verdict

The Land Of Giants

If Sierra de Guara is The Canyon Kingdom and Maestrazgo is The Forgotten Kingdom, then Los Mallos is The Land of Giants: a place where riders descend ancient shepherd trails beneath 300-metre stone monoliths and mountain biking still feels wonderfully wild.

Trail Itinerary

5-Day Programme: Choose Your Own Epic

No fixed itineraries. No rigid schedules.

We'll provide a carefully selected collection of spectacular trails, hidden gems, and local favourites. You decide what to ride each day based on your energy, the weather, and your appetite for adventure.

Ride more. Plan less. Explore deeper.

Day 1

Ayerbe Arrival & Agro-Enduro Warm-Up

Settle into the operational hub, prepare bikes and ride a shorter natural loop to understand the loose rock, red dirt and Pre-Pyrenean rhythm.

Day 2

Superenduro Riglos Hero Day

Ride the defining Giant Slayer loop beneath the Mallos, linking the climb, viewpoints and the technical Carcavilla descent.

Day 3

Foz de Salinas & Aguero

Shift west for canyon riding, stone towers, exposed views and a different expression of the giant landscape.

Day 4

Loarre Fortress Frontier

Use castle country for historic trails, watchtowers, monasteries and descending lines with deep Aragon atmosphere.

Day 5

Pena Rueba Or Sierra Estronad

Finish with the technical Agro-Enduro laboratory or an ancient Roman-road style mountain line before returning to Ayerbe.

Accommodation

Ayerbe Operational Hub Basecamp

We base most Los Mallos trips in Ayerbe for the strongest access to Riglos, Aguero, Loarre, Marcuello and Pena Rueba. Riglos is the atmospheric alternative when riders want to sleep directly beneath the towers.

Price

From EUR 1,180

Self-guided or guided Los Mallos basecamp from 3 nights