The GR7 is 2699km long and we regularly ride part of it. It runs from Tarifa in Spain to Crete. Would love to ride the whole route one day.

There's a whole network of Gran Recorridos (GR) through Spain, the GR579 runs through Belgium, the GR10 runs through France and over the Pyrenees.

The E1-11 is a network of paths that run through Norway, Sweden, Italy, Scotland, France, Turkey, Spain, Finland, Greece, Portugal, Ukraine, Ireland, Bulgaria, Russia, Poland, Germany, Holland and Lithuania. You are able to ride them in Spain, but I'm not sure what the 'rules' are in the different countries.

The problem is it's REALLY difficult trying to find out any information about them, especially on the internet, but this image shows roughly where some of them are.

The GR routes are often footpaths and every time a bike passes it destroys a bit more. I have seen medieval paths destroyed by bikes in France. In other places I have seen ruts 1 metre deep caused by bikes. Tree roots are cut, stones dislodged and the whole path washes away in the rain. In France as many as 15 trail bikes pass in huge groups . It is a disaster. I regret that you ride these footpaths.

Since the GR7 is the only route to many remote farms and houses in Spain, their owners would have a terribly long walk if they couldn't use their motorised vehicles to get to and from them!! A tractor, for example, I suspect would cause far more damage than a bike, particularly on the tracks we ride.

As I said before, different countries have different rules so it would be wise to know what those rules are in order for individuals to make an informed decision. A footpath in one country is an only means of access to somebody's livelihood in another.

Although biking's in my blood and the limited off-roading i've managed has been a bit of a revelation to my tarmac-addled mind, i'm fairly adamant to steer clear of footpaths if at all possible as vehicles on them just seem to cause problems, as a walker i appreciate the relative peace/tidyness of a vehicle-free path. But a decent fire-trail/forest track etc is a real treasure and this is what i'm seeking. We host HUBBERS from many Euro countries so i wonder if a compendium of great bike-friendly off-road tracks could be amassed? Perhaps this thread should be on the Trip Planning forum...

Riding fire trails/breaks in Spain IS illegal. Whilst I understand the concerns of riding paths, you only have to look at satellite imagary of a country like Spain to see that there is a huge percentage of roads, tracks and trails that aren't tarmaced - it simply isn't economical to do it.

It may not be the part of Europe you're looking to ride, but given the climate here, particularly in Southern Spain, all but the hardiest of flora dies off each year due to the heat and lack of water, so no fear of damaging anything living (unless you hit a goat).

Have a look at this thread on advrider - it has a great collection of photos showing you what the tracks are like throughout Spain -
Andalucian trip... - ADVrider

I have a web album with some photos of the GR7 and you can see it is no different to any other track in Spain -
Picasa Web Albums - Dakota - Motorcycling

Try Romania. Lots of dirt roads all over the country, esp. the mountain passes are awesome. Hardly any restrictions and very scenic.

And usually the weather is more stable than in Scandinavia ;-)

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Wow, looks like you guys struck it rich with that trip - just checked out the pics link! You're bang on about the GR7, it's sooo more open than the tracks i see walking in the Alps. Nice bikes too - been shortlisting an xt for the trip next year. Surprised about the fire-road thing, mind - but with the trails you highlight i guess there's a greater choice of options out there. Nice one, folks!

Thanks for that. The ADVRider link is of a group of French riders who rode virtually past our doorstep. My ablum is of the rides we do every weekend. The GR7 is just a small sample of what the tracks are like in our area. We've been through the Montes de Malaga Natural Park today and before anybody gets too upset about that, the Junta de Andalucia actively promote the use of all of these tracks under the 'banner' of rural tourism, for the use of all vehicles, motorised or otherwise. We passed hikers, mountain bikers and cars.

Is there a difference between fire trails/tracks and breakers? The ones that are illegal to ride here are the wide paths cleared in order to act as a fire break. In the past few weekends we've passed 2 areas that have had recent forest fires. They are common at this time of year since everything is tinder dry. The breaks in our area usually run along the peak of a mountain and it would take an experienced rider to go up them anyway.

The XT's have been fantastic bikes. Can't fault them with what we use them for. I also ride a Tricker 250 which is like riding a skateboard.

If anybody is ever in our area and wants to sample any of these tracks, just give us a call. Any excuse to go out riding!! We're taking people on these rides at the Moto Andalucia meet in 4 weeks if anybody wants to join us.

Portugal has miles of public graded gravel tracks plus the right to cross private farm land. Also you will almost never see anyone else out whilst riding.

That sounds good, Dave. Ideal for the bike.....

Fascinating. Did not know these long distance trails existed. Has anyone managed to get these routes mapped out on MapSource with waypoints? If so where can I get it from? :confused1:

Thanks

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'Darling can a buy another motorcycle? Steve McQueen had over 100.'

The GR's are long distances walking paths passing trough intresting scenery and historical places. While the GR's can be used as a route planning guide, one cannot assume that the complete route is accessible for motor vehicles (due terrain, legal constraints, or just because it would be anti-social).

With sound judgement and respect for the environment (no wheel spin...) you're riding in, there shouldn't be too much obstackles.

And to contribute to the thread:
In southern Belgium it's illegal to ride on unpaved roads and trails that go trough forests (i.e. trees at both sides). As long as there are no trees at both side, you're fine. If you're caught riding trough forests, your vehicle will be seized(there're a few foul hardy loosing their 4x4, quad, motorcycle every year ...)

I clearly referred to footpaths, not farm tracks etc. To confuse the two is to move away from the point. A tractor does NOT cause more damage than a bike-the "footprint" is too large. A bike wheel is the most destructive thing on a path, as even a casual glance would show.Those who choose to ride on footpaths should also inform themselves about the effect this has. The damage is immense. Additionally, if a farmer damages his track, then he/she will eventually repair it. Bike riders dont repair - they damage and move on.

I refer you to the HUMMS type tracks - however rough, these have been made for wheeled traffic and are not damaged by bikes. They are fine for riding as intended. But footpaths are seriously damaged by bikes.

Your last sentence needs some explanation. One thing is sure - they were not built for motorbikes. Paths are not for the rider's "livelihood", nor his/her recreational "access."

Do think about what's been said here....ask yourself...can you justify damaging footpaths? I have done long walks in France and Spain (Le Puy-Santiago, Salamanca-Santiago and various others, and I have seen what bikes do. Its not good. Most riders I have seen on paths couldnt care less. A spot of tough EU legislation, fully applied, might stop the destruction of the environment by the few.