La Viriato Gravel

La Viriato Gravel grew from an idea that had been simmering since 2018: one big ride linking every village of the Sierra de San Vicente, in the north-west corner of Toledo. Much of it follows the old GR-63 Senda de Viriato, a waymarked trail the organisers wanted to bring back to life, with a climb to the Antenas del Piélago, the highest point of the range.

The sierra sits between the Tiétar and Alberche valleys with Gredos on the horizon. It is a protected landscape of holm and cork oak, chestnut groves and centuries-old trees, with Iron Age hillforts, carved Vettonian stone boars and castles scattered between the villages.

Behind it is Viriato Terra, a small outfit from Pepino led by Pepe Muñoz, a former Spanish junior cross-duathlon champion who started out with hiking routes in 2020 before moving into timing and running local events. The first edition was made possible by the town halls, sponsors and friends of the sierra, and the tone remains local and down to earth.