cycling parque de donana

[mick pearson]

I am looking to cycle the coast of andalucia and amlooking for any information on cycling from sanlucar to matacalanas through parque de donana, is it possible ,is it allowed, understand you can go on the beach , but is cycling possible , or even allowed there,
is there a timetable for the ferry across from sanlucar, daily, weekly?
thanks
mick

[pilgrim]

We live near the Matalascanas end of the Park and as I understand it you cannot go into the Park along the coast unless you are on a guided tour. The bits of the Park around where we are that have cycle/walking routes are mostly sand and very hard going on your avarge bike! Ferry from Sanlucar to where? Will be interested to see these replies. The only "ferry" we use is the one from Corria del Rio to Isla Menor, and have found nothing further down river.

[Chrissie]

Looks as though you can only go on guided tours

http://www.andalucia.com/environment/protect/donana.htm

[flan_taster]

I think that it is possible to cycle or walk or even jog along the beach from Matalascanas to Sanlucar but the actual Park is protected/controlled and entry is by scheduled tours. The ferry from Sanlucar to the Park side (of the Guadalquivir estuary) is going quite frequently during the summer when it takes people over to the sandy beaches. they use a landing craft type boat that also takes vehicles so a bike is not problem. At the time of the famous El Rocio pilgrimage, this ferry crossing is very busy taking 'romeros' over for their passage through the Park. If attempting the walk or bicycle ride along the beach I would find out the tide times and time my 'attempt' to coincide with low tide. At low water there will be more chance of firmer sand along the Atlantic coast line. This is what they do when holding the horse racing events at Sanlucar. Talking of which, the first days of the Autumn races starts on Thursday ! This is the official web site for the racing: http://www.carrerassanlucar.es/

[sonreimos]

hi i've just joined this site so pls forgive if strange, looking back found your request, did you get anywhere with the ride, i tried it sand difficult, unsure of where we end up, not allowed in park, got escorted out and absolutely bitten to death by mossies, ferry pricey be good to know that you fared better....

[karandjon]

hi, i´ve just joined up too, and live 20 mins from matalascañas beach, so would be interested to know how you got on. from what we´ve seen the fine sand of the beach would be very difficult to ride on, and as far as we´re aware it is not allowed thro national park.

regards

karen

[anthonycoyne]

I have seen some videos on YouTube of people cycling along the beach from Matalascanas to the ferry point for Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

Presumably this is ok once you do not go inland into the park?

Can someone please confirm this for me?

[costakid]

I have seen some videos on YouTube of people cycling along the beach from Matalascanas to the ferry point for Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

Presumably this is ok once you do not go inland into the park?

Can someone please confirm this for me?

What bikes are they using to cycle in sand? Id have thought that was almost impossible

[anthonycoyne]

I have seen some videos on YouTube of people cycling along the beach from Matalascanas to the ferry point for Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

Presumably this is ok once you do not go inland into the park?

Can someone please confirm this for me?

What bikes are they using to cycle in sand? Id have thought that was almost impossible

Hybrid bikes and/or MTBs