Classification of the routes according to their level of difficulty
The routes are rated according to their level of difficulty by means of a colour scheme, for their easier identification, regardless of the gradient:
• Green  - Easy routes, for beginners, and those who are not especially fit or have a low technical level.

• Blue  - Moderate routes, for riders who are moderately fit, but have a low technical level.

• Red  - Difficult routes, which are very demanding both physically and technically.

• Black  - Very difficult routes, for highly experienced riders, which are extremely demanding both physically and technically.
 

Levels of difficulty for XC routes:

 GREEN  - Easy
• A hard, firm or asphalt surface
• Trails wider than 1.5 m
• Gradients of less than 10%, with an average of less than 5%
• No obstacles

 BLUE  - Accessible
• A firm or stable surface
• Trails wider than 1 m
• Gradients of less than 15%, with an average of less than 10%
• Few obstacles, and none higher than 20 cm
• Few technical stretches


 RED  - Difficult
• A very uneven surface
• Obstacles lower than 50 cm
• Technical stretches
• Gradients of more than 15%, but with an average of less than 15%

 BLACK  - Very difficult
• A fairly technical surface
• Gradients of more than 20%
• Obstacles that can be negotiated by bike, but with no restrictions on height
 

 P1  Circular route, with start and finish in Almeida, which reaches it furthest point at the MTB centre in Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain, approximately 54 km away. The route generally consists of clay tracks with a hard surface. The route follows the military deployments of the so-called French Invasions during the Peninsular War, with highlights being the fortified strongholds of Almeida, the fortress of La Concepción and Ciudad Rodrigo, the archaeological site of Siega Verde with its rock paintings, the watercourses of the brook of Tourões and the River Águeda, and the frontier between Fuentes de Oñoro and Vilar Formoso, in addition to the vast architectural and natural heritage to be found along the entire route.

Distance: 110 km, estimated travel time: 10 h, cumulative elevation gain: 1.377m.

 P2  Circular route, with start and finish in Almeida, which reaches it furthest point in the district or aldea of Vale da Mula, around 9 km away. The route generally consists of clay tracks that are in good condition, and it is suitable for all kinds of abilities and ages.

Distance: 18 km, estimated travel time: 1 h 40, cumulative elevation gain: 137 m

 P3  Circular route, with start and finish in Almeida, which reaches it furthest point in the district or aldea of Malpartida, which is renowned for its two fine restaurants, around 6.5 km away. The route generally consists of clay tracks that are in good condition, and it is suitable for all kinds of abilities and ages.

Distance: 16 km, estimated travel time: 1 h 30, cumulative elevation gain: 140 m

 P4  Circular route, with start and finish in Almeida, which reaches its furthest point at Aldea del Obispo, Spain, where one may visit and enjoy the fortress of La Concepción, around 17 km away. The route alternates between clay tracks that are in good condition and short but pretty paths with an accessible level of difficulty.

Distance: 28 km, estimated travel time: 2 h 50, cumulative elevation gain: 278 m

 P5  Circular route, with start and finish in Almeida, which reaches it furthest point in the district or aldea of Reigada, now in the municipality of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, around 15 km away. It should be noted that the only difficult part of the route is a slope that begins after 8 km, runs for 2.2 km and climbs up to 150 m. A highlight is passing Almeida’s hot springs at the 7 km point.

Distance: 28 km, estimated travel time: 3 h, cumulative elevation gain: 437 m

 P6  Circular route, with start and finish in Almeida, which reaches it furthest point close to the district or aldea of Vermiosa, in the municipality of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, around 14 km away. The route alternates between clay tracks that are in good condition and short but pretty paths with an accessible level of difficulty.

Distance: 32 km, estimated travel time: 3 h, cumulative elevation gain: 300 m

 P6  Circular route, with start and finish in Almeida, which reaches it furthest point close to the district or aldea of Vermiosa, in the municipality of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, around 14 km away. The route alternates between clay tracks that are in good condition and short but pretty paths with an accessible level of difficulty.

Distance: 32 km, estimated travel time: 3 h, cumulative elevation gain: 298 m

 P7  Circular route, with start and finish in Almeida, which reaches it furthest point in the district or aldea of Castillejo de Dos Casas, now in Spain, around 17 km away. Highlights on this route are passing the fortress of La Concepción and the stretches in Spain, where one can admire the changing landscape and different uses of the land, the route alongside the brook of Dos Casas and the path through a number of estates, where caution is to be applied, as cattle wander loose and care needs to be taken to open and close gates whenever necessary.

Distance: 39 km, estimated travel time: 3 h 45, cumulative elevation gain: 441 m

 P8  Circular route, with start and finish in Almeida, which reaches it furthest point in the district or aldea of Castelo Bom, where there is also a famous restaurant called “Lurdes”, around 19.5 km away. We may divide the route into two different parts: the first along the left bank of the River Coa, enjoying the pretty tracks that do have a number of stretches with some technical difficulty, crossing the “Manuel José” causeway bridge that runs to a length of 140 m, a small picnic area beside the São Roque bridge, which stands on the outskirts of the medieval village of Castelo Bom; the route’s second stage consists of clay paths that are generally in good condition.

Distance: 34 km, estimated travel time: 4 h, cumulative elevation gain: 625 m

 P9  Circular route, with start and finish in Almeida, which reaches it furthest point in the municipality of Pinhel, beside the town of the same name, around 24.5 km away. It is known for the three watercourses that flow through and across it, the path along the River Coa that passes under the “big” old Coa bridge, the path alongside the brook of Gaiteiros, and the path along the banks of the brook of Cabras. This is a very varied route, with narrower tracks and paths, with the surface generally being in good condition.

Distance: 56 km, estimated travel time: 6 h, cumulative elevation gain: 1.268m.

 P10  Circular route, with start and finish in Almeida, which reaches its furthest point in the district or aldea of Freineda, beside the Duke of Wellington’s former headquarters, around 29 km away. We could call this route “a tour of historical sites in the municipality of Almeida”, because it runs through the districts of Castelo Mendo, Freineda, Castelo Bom and the village of Vilar Formoso: we have a chance to visit some of Almeida’s most significant architectural heritage.

Distance: 61.5 km, estimated travel time: 5h 30, cumulative elevation gain: 1.026m.

 P11  Circular route, with start and finish in Almeida; this route is an extension of “P9”, which reaches it furthest point at the Malhada Sorda picnic area, around 19 km away. We may divide the route into two different parts: the first along the left bank of the River Coa, enjoying the pretty tracks that do have a number of stretches with some technical difficulty, crossing the large “Manuel José” bridge that runs to a length of 140 m, a small picnic area beside the São Roque bridge, following the pass of São Miguel beside the historical village of Castelo Mendo, with the more technical parts being a medieval road, the mouth of the River Noemí and the Malhada Sorda picnic area; the route’s second stage (or return leg) consists of two different parts, with the first one being the right bank of the River Coa running along medieval roads and tracks that are among some of the prettiest to be found in this area, with the second one running along clay tracks that are generally in good condition.

Distance: 58 km, estimated travel time: 6 h, cumulative elevation gain: 1.170m.

 P12  Circular route, with start and finish in Almeida, which reaches it furthest point in the municipality of Pinhel, beside the town of the same name, around 25 km away. The route is flanked by the slopes of the River Coa and the banks of the brook of Cabras. The River Coa is crossed over a weir-cum-causeway bridge that links the towns of Cinco Vilas and Vale de Madeira, and do not attempt to cross it during times of heavy rain. Further highlights are passing the thermal spa at Almeida’s hot springs and, now on the final stretch, the crossing of the “Manuel José” causeway bride, which runs to a length of 140 m. This is a very varied route, including tracks, paths, old roads and stretches of gravel on the right bank of the River Coa.

Distance: 56.5 km, estimated travel time: 6 h, cumulative elevation gain: 1.323m.